Redhook

I took a client for lunch here on a recommendation. The menu is simple with steaks, fish and burgers. I ordered a half chicken with a macaroni cheese (as a treat). The food was great, the service was fine. I would probably have rated this place 3 or 4 stars had it not been for the fact that when I came back to my desk I was in and out of the toilet. I’m therefore not surprised to see that someone else had food poisoning from eating a paella here. I probably won’t be going back as I very rarely get ill after eating food. I suspect their hygiene isn’t up to scratch.

DO NOT EAT HERE. DO NOT ORDER THE PAELLA.
I came here a few nights ago with my boyfriend and ordered the Paella. My boyfriend had the North American surf and turf. About 24 hours after I ate the Paella (which, to be honest, did not taste that good) I was sick with food poisoning. We spent about £100 on this meal, and it literally gave me food poisoning. What a horrible experience. Do not eat here. On another note, my boyfriend was also unimpressed with his dinner.

Went last night on an impromptu tip — was impressed by the ease with which we got a table despite it being pretty busy in the dining room and bar booths.
Ordered the British surf and turf — 200g Hereford rib eye with 3 scallops, mrs had the scallops main with mushroom gnocchi and we had a side of spinach
I asked for a smoky rub no the steak and it was very nice, a subtle extra note on top of the tender steak which was on the rare side of medium rare — not a proble though and it was juicier than it lokoed so no complaints
scallops were surprisingly thermidor style but perfectly cooked and the main dish of scallops was equally impresisve
i am knocking a start off for the service which was a bit chaotic — i understand that there had been a number of large groups in before us and some were still there but we had to wait a bit too long for orders and the bill –would go back though as the standard of food was good, if the service sharpens up would be a more hearty endorsement

Well hello there, Redhook.
You’re named after a very trendy area of Brooklyn.
You’ve got pretty decent food, at Clerkenwell-​ish prices, and a lovely wine list.
What’s that? You’re a sister resto to Giant Robot? You should really have a word with them. You’re nice and friendly and a little overpriced but still decent. They’re rude and fast and the food really isn’t all that.
Oysters? Yeah. That’s a good thing. Steak? You do it well.
You’re not fabulous, but we can still see each other on the side. Maybe.
Or maybe I’ll keep heading round the corner to St. John, spend a little more money and get a way better experience.

Today I decided to check out the Redhook near Farringdon station. Now, while sipping at my cocktail, I read some reviews of this place. Well, I cannot complain about the service and the food was delicious. Quickly after I ordered, I got some tasty bread. As I really like bread, that’s always a good start. I even was offered more even better bread later on. The red Delicato 2009 (Zinfandel) was a great choice. As main I had a fillet steak with peppercorn sauce, and I quite liked it. I ordered chips as a side, and they were chunky and crispy on the outside and soft but not raw inside. The dark chocolate mousse I had for dessert was another highlight. But not only the food and drinks are good, I think the interior is also nice. Convenient lighting, comfy seating, music is okay and really attentive and professional service staff. After all, I will definitely return to the Redhook despite it looks like I didn’t get the free cocktail they announced on Twitter while I was there. I had ordered mine anyway before I’ve read their tweet

Keeps getting better. New chef I think. Food was excellent — I really love the NY strip juicy tasty perfectly cooked. Oysters are fresh, zingy, salty and full of freshness. Drinks are always good. Andrew runs a great bar — cool cocktails and some great wines (although selection was a bit light last time i was there). Always fun to go between Redhook and Ginat Robot.

Drinks here are GREAT; sitting in the booths placed front of house, it’s a lovely place to hang out.
But the food and the service is where Redhook goes wrong.
Twice I’ve been here and the service has been less than impressive. People getting things wrong, forgetting parts of the order, mixing up bills, the works. Oh, and the express menu? A sitting taking an hour and a half for two courses is NOT what I’d call fast.
I’m saddened by this since I really wanted to love this place! Alas, I’m filing it in my ‘good for drinks’ folder. Booo.

Reserved a table here directly through OpenTable via Unilocal,simples!
Had walked past this place at least 20 times before I even realised it was a restaurant. The windows are quite a bit higher than street level so is really easy not to look up and see the big ‘Steak’ and ‘Seafood’ signs.
Heard the cocktails were good here, I heard right. Milled around a little in the bare brick bar area that I can honestly promise that I’ll go back to and spend a bit more time in. The lights are low and even though it was far from packed, it had a nice ‘buzz’ about it. Bar staff were good too, chatting to patrons and generally being good.uh.well bar staff.
Went on through to our table and the dining room is lovely. Each table individually lit, booths for small groups or couples keen to spread out (no, not in that way, it’s not that kind of establishment) and some cool wall art sets quite an eclectic scene.
The food was amazing, we opted for the ‘Seafood’ bit of the window signage and I scoffed the king prawns. When ordering I was a little concerned they wouldn’t fill me up but the mother, father, uncle, aunt and grandaddy of king prawns were laid out in all their glory before me (think there were 5, but maybe grandmammy also made an appearance on my plate). I was stuffed, royally stuffed… but had desert, obviously, which was great.
I need to go back here soon!

Surprisingly great!
We went for Dinner here after perusing and not loving other restaurants in the area, and were very pleasantly surprised! Having just moved from NY the name alone was enough to lure us in, and then very smooth decorations and nice atmosphere did the rest.
We had the rock shrimp tempura and the soft shell crab, both very good, and the Goose Fat chips (these are ONLY on bar menu, no idea why!) which were also tasty.
The cocktails were pretty good, not very strong and so a little on the expensive side for what you got but overall good! They also had those wonderful huge clear ice cubes I’ve seen in some of the great cocktail bars in NY, that melt really slowly and so don’t dilute your drink.
Will absolutely be coming back here for more!

I am not exactly sure why so many people have given this place 5 stars, but maybe it’s because they came to Redhook to drink, and not eat. I however, came to Redhook the steakhouse… and left unimpressed.
Don’t get me wrong, Redhook has «the look” – it is a cool place with a cool vibe, but don’t expect to find a true steakhouse comparable with JW or Goodman. The steaks we got were very small (the the type of steak you would pick up at Tesco; not a fancy restaurant), and the side dishes (spinach, chips and chopped salad) were just OK; nothing to get excited about.
We ended up paying £90 for two small steaks, 3 average side dishes and 2 glass of wine. We walked away thinking that we just paid £90 to sit in a cool restaurant because the food was only worth £40 (and I’m being generous!)
If you’re looking for style; try Redhook… if you’re looking for substance; keep walking!

This place is a little gem in Farringdon. We went on a Saturday and it was busy, but not overcrowded.
The cocktails are good — all grey goose vodka based.
The wine list is mostly American, and they have quite a few nice bottle to choose from, great if you want a break from the usual Aussie/​French selections.
The scallop with chorizo starter was excellent, as expected. For the main I had a rib eye steak that was quite tasty and cooked well. The sides were nice, especially the macaroni and cheese.
Overall, it is not a cheap night out: in cost, service, quality of food and wine. Expensive, but still reasonable value for money.

Really disappointing. I love the space – big cozy booths, a little lounge area with couches and a great private dining room. High ceilings, wood, and great fixtures. But the food was really disappointing! Dry fish, mushy scallops, mediocre soft-​shelled crab tempura. Desserts were ordinary. Service was just ok.
Overall, a very underwhelming experience.

My first interaction at Redhook speaks for itself and set the tone for the entire experience:
Me (approaching the bar): Could you possibly make an Aviation?
Bartender: Would you like that with Crème De Violette?
Me (breathless): Yes… please.
Now there’s a question a gal like me enjoys being asked. Usually, the response to my Aviation requests generates blanks stares (even after the bartender would loudly boast he could ‘make me anything [see: Kastel in The Trump Soho in NYC]), or the return question is often, «What’s in that?» A pleasure, in this case, to not only have the bartender know what the drink what, but specify if I’d like it to be made in a specific fashion.
Moving on to the meal, the service, food, presentation and wine proved to warrant the «$$$» category: delicious food at a great value served attentively. We shared a range of appetizers, form tender scallops and crispy softshell crab, to icebergs salad and oysters. Sharing for these is encouraged, with individual entrees to follow. In the latter, I could not resist a juicy ribeye, ringing in at £13 for 200g. Though I initially ordered the shallot and garlic butter, the water suggested I try the steak plain, with peppercorn sauce on the side. He reasoned that their steaks are dry-​aged and they are known for their seasoning. I listened and my belly benefited. An excellent suggestion.
For dessert, sharing commenced once again and we sampled the cheeseboard and chocolate torte, a bit of sweet and savory to finish off a few hours of drinking, giggling and enjoying an excellent meal in a chic London setting.

I am so definatly coming back here, hopefully again and again, it really is a great restaurant.
I came here for Booze bingo, and was super impressed with everything, so was overjoyed when it was chosen to be the venue for our Ladies Xmas Dinner.
The bar tenders are really telented, so I recommend you start off your evening at the bar for a swift one. The cocktail menu is regularily changed, with lots to offer for all tastes, but these guys really know their stuff so if you want something, then do ask for it. Or let them make you something special if you arent sure what you feel the need for, just name your poison and an ass-​kicking personal cocktail will be winging its way to you to drool over in a few short minutes.
Moving over to the restaurant area and you will continue to be impressed. Its moodily lit and comfy, with plenty of space between the tables so you dont feel crushed or embarassed to gossip your little heart out.
Our wines were ace, as was every single thing that our large table ate.
Scallops and oysters to start… yumm
Steaks and pasta and fish were, again… yummmm
My lobster therimdore was so amazing i almost cried. My first lobster and certainly not my last.
The mix of shared side dishes was a great choice. I would have happily eaten the pea and feta salad until i exploded.
And desserts too, oh go on, they are too good to resist. Chocolate fondant was to die for.
Its not cheap, but its a special place that serves amazing food, so come here for a special occasion. Or just get yourself a rich older man to date!

I tried this place for the first time last week. Very impressive! We came in quite late on and were pretty much the only ones in there, but the waiter was very accommodating and knowledgeable about food and wine.
Shared some oysters with a fantastic bottle of red (screw the rules!) whilst listening to Band of Horses playing from their stereo. I could have cried a little tear of joy. This place isn’t going to have much trouble doing well round here.
The picture wall was a great touch. I want to go back there right away.

Hooked on the hook? Well lets just say that if i lived down this neck of the woods, Mr R Hook would be seeing a fair whack of my monthy pay check.
Ok, so the low down.
–High quality surf and turf noshery… check
–Varied sides, excellently executed (mashed pot’s with olive oil).check
–Fast efficent service… check…excucse me, check… check please… hello!
Yeah, so this joint would have been a straught 5 star in my books if it ahd’nt been for the slightly MIA service around halfway through the meal… the fact that I had to approach the bar to order more drinks is a bit of a blot on the old copy book, considering that the prices are on the higher end of the scale.
Apart from this though, the food was fantastic from starter to dessert, the atmoshere was relaxed but well finished and the service (although missing at some points) was polite and efficient.
Hooked…aye, a wee bit.

Imagine garlic butter melting over a succulent, juicy and deliciously soft T-​Bone steak. Well you just imagined one of the incredible offerings from Redhook, the new breed of Surf and Turf restaurants in London.
Redhook is the sibling venue to Giant Robot, part of the Rushmore Group, who operate Milk and Honey, and of course that means they do not disappoint. Where as Giant Robot is an oft crowded bar with deli/​café tendencies and over price ‘bar food’, Redhook is much more of an under-​populated restaurant with a bar attached. Of course the drinks are just as to-​die-​for, but the food is so much better.
The seafood platters, West and East are incredible and enough to serve 2 people. Perfect for at romantic date for seafood lovers, with razor clams, whelks, crab, lobster and more. While the aged beef is spot-​on almost every time. Throw in samphire and perfectly cut fries and you have a dream main course.
I go here regularly, and am never disappointed. No doubt others might be, but I would recommend it again and again. Thanks goes to the guys at Redhook who really know how to look after their clients!

London food needed no introduction when it came in this form! Redhook specialises in steak and seafood and manages to straddle that ever tenuous rope which lies between down to earth and pretentious. It’s beautiful, it’s crisp, it’s interesting-​looking and at the same time you’re not presented with small food portions masquerading as art and wondering how to tear into it (and how long it’s going to keep you satisfied for).
I plumped for one of the specials that night, a sea bream fillet on a bed of linguini. Boy did I make the right choice. Those of you who know me know I’m something of a seafood carnivore and the melt-​in-​the-​mouth squid folded delicately into my fresh, herby pasta really hit the spot — I like those kinds of surprises. As for the star of the show, the bream… I’d never tried this kind of fish before and I’m determined to have it again. It’s a soft flaky fish, and Redhook had pan-​fried it expertly with a skin so crunchy and rich I couldn’t resist. (It just goes to show, when I thought I didn’t like fish with the skin on, I’d evidently been to the wrong restaurants.)
All the other dishes looked just as tempting. The striploin had me craving the red stuff, the prawns were epic giants, the plaice looked magnificent and the only veggie option was a stunner. Only one in a steak and seafood joint? We can forgive them. Don’t think the side dishes are supporting actors though, the buttery sea grass and olive oil mash are to die for and the chips… double-​fried. You just can’t beat it.
Miss Gold and I regressed into childhood to share a Knickerbocker Glory, and this thing was a different dessert altogether than that which we remembered. Better? Hells yeah. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried sour cherry ice cream, it was a bright purple, chunky, fruity dream. Oh and we had no qualms about them completely finishing us off by whipping some marscapone into that cream, ‘waffer thin mints’ meant nothing to us by then.
The staff are pretty much spot on and keep the salad water topped up. What’s that, you ask, salad water? Well, it’s free, it’s on every table, and it’s rather like a watered down Pimms cocktail. Tap water is infused with ice, lemon, lime… cucumber. I found it very refreshing but I know for a fact had my mum been eating with me, it wouldn’t have been so successful. Cucumber is something of a repeater remember. Still, I’m sure they’d have accommodated unpickled gherkin haters.
Overall this was a pricey, tasty treat to start off my London dining experience. I’d recommend Redhook to anyone.

Hello London, fine dining has arrived! Sister joint to Giant Robot, Redhook had the makings of a dream eatery. Exposed brick, vintage furniture, cute booths, intimate lighting: What more could you ask for?
This is the kind of place where you order a main, for £15 or above and then top it off with about 2 – 3 sharing sides at about £7 each. With wine it’s going to set you back about £60−70 for 2 people. Pricey yes, tasty, yes, worth it, totally. Grilled giant prawns, seared scallops, t-​bone steak, creamy olive oil mash, buttery sea grass veg, pea and feta salad, need I go on? I can, but you’ll be drooling on your keyboard.
Now I eat out a lot (you might have noticed), but this place really blew me away. My only issue was with the service. The server was more than happy to tell us the specials, and the prices but then adding «well this is expensive» to the end of each one is a little off putting. I’m eating out, I can see the menu and the prices I’m about to pay. I think for the quality of food it’s well worth it. I don’t need your comment on the price.
The food was also served in a strange way. Having worked as a silver service waitress as a kid, I can manage a few plates in my hands. This woman insisted on bring one out at a time, so 10 minutes later and finally the last of the dishes have been served. It was just a little strange for the quality of restaurant to have unprofessional or under-​trained staff.
Would I go back though? Yes, indeed. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

Okay. If you’re gonna open a fancy schmancy restaurant with fancy schmancy prices in Clerkenwell, ya better know what you’re doing. I don’t think the folks behind this steak and seafood restaurant (the same folks behind Milk & Honey, Giant Robot and the The East Room) do. It’s a shame. I suppose Redhook is okay but with St John, Portal, Modern Pantry, Hix, etc etc etc all nearby, this newbie just doesn’t cut the mustard.
Despite large portions and a delectably perusable menu, prices seem too high and quality is somewhat lacklustre. The steak are okay, I suppose. But, I know better beef may be had in London at equal or less expensive.
There are elements that I like. If you find yourself there and the king crab legs are on the menu get ‘em. They’re gorgeous. And I should note that Redhook’s American-​centric wine list is pretty fab. With its cushy seats and divine lighting, it’s a pleasant enough place to pop in for a drink.