I seem to be on a bit of a steak obsession at the moment, but luckily so is London, it seems.
So I was delighted to be invited to sample the new City branch of Jackson & Rye, located a short walk from Bank station and a brisk walk from our Moorgate offices this just seemed like it was meant to be.
As I entered Jackson & Rye I felt like I had been transported back in time, like I was in Godfather era New York with the dimly lit muted palate of the decor and Americana playing in the back ground. I could tell even without eating a bite I was in for a bit of a treat.
As the charming server asked if we wanted drinks to start I enquired who brews their house IPA, she didn’t know… (‘Oh no, not a good start,’ was my first thought. My second was ‘am I turning into a beer snob?’) But the server promised she’d find out straight away and I was impressed with the effort. The answer? Bavarian craft brewer And Union, and it tasted delicious!
For our starters I went for a favourite, buffalo wings, Kate went for the tuna tartare.
The wings were a bit of surprise. Firstly there was a massive amount of them for a starter (no complaints from greedy me though) and the other surprise was they came breaded, which isn’t something I have encountered before but they tasted great.
Kate’s tuna was fresh and full of flavour and actually left me slightly jealous. It’s a reminder to be more adventurous in my menu choices next time, as amazing as the wings were!
For our main course I chose the New York strip steak, a cut I have always heard about but rarely seen on a menu. As a steak lover I had to try it and I’m so so glad I did. Each bite was one mouth-watering delight after another a much welcome change from my usual choice of rib-eye (which was on the menu too).
Kate opted for the king prawn linguine, which she raved about. I tried a bite and I’m not a massive prawn fan and even I was won over. It was seasoned perfectly and lightly sauced in a beautiful garlicy broth.
We were reaching the stage where more food seemed a struggle but once furnished with the desert menu we both waivered. I went for the melting Chocolate Sundae which was everything you can possible imagine it could be – pure chocolate indulgence. Kate went for the lighter option of a desert cocktail in the form of a peanut butter martini, which was delicious. She had some very jealous friends when she posted a picture of it on Facebook.
Jackson & Rye quite simply is everything I have been looking for in a restaurant, even the toilets are cool (you get to them in a lift!) I shall return very soon. That rib eye is next on my hit list!
30 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8EB
020 3597 5153
Nearest Tube : Cannon Street