260947 Sun Feb 24 06:29:20 -0800 2002 5 26 International 0 1379015 I was able to add a further address to my very short list of decent places to eat steak in London. The existing list is: Popeseye, Blythe Road W14 The Boombar, Crouch End Hill, N8 Recent deletions: The Guacho Grill (all branches) Tuscan Steak (St Martins Lane) Recent addition Sophies Steakhouse, Fulham Road I visited this newly opened place on Thursday and rejected the first steak brought me and gave them a good talking to. I was then brought a superbly cooked piece of contra fillet. The meat comes from Scotland and N. Ireland and they claim it is hung for 28 days, although I would doubt this. Major critism: the steaks only come in 10oz, someone like me would need to order two. Excellent Bloody Marys too. Sun Feb 24 06:29:20 -0800 2002 0 Mike Krantz 1 1379016 I think you need to add the Top Floor at Smiths of Smithfield.Great big bloody steaks at great big bloody prices. Sun Feb 24 07:23:26 -0800 2002 1379015 0 Tony Finch 2 1379029 I have been to Smiths twice. The first time I enjoyed it, over £500 for the 4 of us. For essentially steak and chips, with a couple of bottles of wine. The second time the joke began to wear a little thin. You really must try The Boombar. Mon Feb 25 03:20:21 -0800 2002 1379016 0 Mike Krantz 3 1379033 The first time I went to Smiths, I was thrilled to have such a place nearby. The second time I was thrilled to have come out under a £100 for the two of us, the third time I was thrilled they let me keep my shirt. The food can be very good but £150 for two. Ahem? S Mon Feb 25 09:03:25 -0800 2002 1379029 0 Simon Majumdar 1 1379017 the problem with popeseye is that it can be very, very variable ... i've enjoyed perfectly cooked steaks there, and at other times been served leather. its probably because the grill gets overwhelmed when they are very busy. try boisedale, in victoria (eccleston street, i think). a notch lower than popeseye at its best, but at least consistent. fabulous selection of single malts for you to try as well. but you have to be in the mood for the cigar club - bad jazz atmosphere, though you can always sit in the small room away from all that nonsense if you so desire. the gaucho grill is living proof that london supports any old chain, provided its sufficiently hokey. but try el gaucho, off the fulham road, for argentine steak. its variable, too, but when they get it right, the beef sings. and every once in a while, launceston place mysteriously excels, though steaks not a regular feature on the menu. Sun Feb 24 08:49:11 -0800 2002 1379015 0 howler 1 1379172 The best steak Ive had in London came from the Ginger Pig at Borough Market, and cooked it myself. A two inch think Rump Steak, big enough to feed 3-4, pulled out my oversized and underused cast iron skillet, heated the skillet up for about 20-30 minutes. Salt and fresh peppered that bad boy, slapped it on the skillet, seared both sides quickly, then let it cook on each side for about 4 minutes, dropped a healthy dollop of butter on it and then dropped it on the oversized plate which had been heating in the oven. Cost? (not including the skillet or the wine) a bit under 20 pounds. I dream about that steak. Fri Mar 01 06:03:52 -0800 2002 1379015 0 TJ