When food critic Giles Coren visited Hawksmoor’s second site, in London’s Seven Dials, he made one thing pretty clear: the steaks are “the best you’ll find anywhere.” That was 2011. Four years later the company was opening its Manchester location, on one of the city’s most prestigious streets no less. A boon to Deansgate, standards match those in the British capital, positioning this spot right up there with the best steaks you’ll find. Anywhere. First, though, a nod to the interior, which speaks to the heritage and refinement that defines this corner of town.
The Hawksmoor building was once a Victorian courthouse and a number of reclaimed materials were used in the makeover. Like parquet flooring, salvaged from another legal institution nearby, panelling from Sandwell Collage and glazed bricks from an old lavatory in Liverpool. Matched with baby soft leather-backed seating, dark woods and early-modernist light fittings, it’s a perfect backdrop for a classic steak house experience, only elevated. Think standout starters like Roasted Scallops, Salcombe Crab on Toast, Potted Beef & Bacon, and Smoked Mackerel Salad. Then there are the Mains. For example Charcoal-Roasted Hake, Winslade Wellington (celeriac, oyster and shiitake mushrooms, Winslade cheese), and Salt-aged Mountain Lamb Chop. Or Half Native Lobster. Or the legendary Hawskmoor Burger.
Not forgetting those steaks‚ of course. Bone-in Prime Rib, Porterhouse and Chateaubriand (sold by the 100g), or Fillet, Rib-eye, Sirloin and Rump priced on the cut. Sides at Hawksmoor perfectly complement things, whether that’s Beef Dripping Chips or Buttered English Greens, Mash & Gravy. All that aside, you can also find lunchtime specials, the Observer’s Best Sunday Lunch in Britain, set menus for lunch and weekday evenings, and private dining. Oh, and if you prefer to focus on drinks — which are equally high end — a more limited bar menu is available, featuring delicacies such as British Jersey Rock Oysters 3 Ways – natural, with bone marrow and Vietnamese-style.