Long renowned for its steak, we went to meat-eaters heaven Hawksmoor for the express menu 2/3 courses for £27/£31 at Seven Dials.
Starter was two huge Yorkshire puddings which you lavish with potted beef and bacon. This is served within an entire gravy boat of unctuous bone marrow and onion gravy. I opted for rump steak medium rare - cooked to perfection - with fries and a side of seasoned greens.
The temperate drinks menu is not to be sniffed at either. The pineapple soda - which tastes like a mix of freshly juiced pineapple, a touch of cider vinegar and soda - was a real palate cleanser. Another winner is Steady Pete's Ginger Brew, a virgin version of a Hawksmoor favourite, the Shaky Pete (beer and gin will do that to you). Although it seems like Hawksmoor are missing a trick by not having alcohol-free red wine, you can BYOB every Monday (£5 corkage).
We skipped dessert in favour of a box of Tributes to takeaway. An homage to the Rolo, these decadent chocolates are a far cry from the childhood sweet on which it takes inspiration. The dark chocolate is beautifully tempered and meltingly yields to an indulgent salted caramel centre. In fact, I would go to Hawksmoor just to buy these.
Hawksmoor Seven Dials, 11 Langley Street, London WC2H 9JG