Strip Bar and Steak - Removed from website August 2021 (closed), London

Farringdon is not in short supply of steakhouses, but this newest entry, Strip Bar & Steak, seems to have raised the stakes for the entire neighbourhood. Borrowing inspiration from the New York and Las Vegas eateries so successful at getting your inner carnivore growling, the dining room is doused in neon, with a bevy of bare brick walls and archways, dark wooden tables and leather booth seating - but the most attractive feature in the room is arguably what the waiters are holding aloft on their trays. The kitchens have made the enlightened decision of jettisoning the oh-so-pedestrian bread roll for cheddar popovers, which, for those who are crinkling their brows in confusion, is American for Yorkshire puddings. They were crisp and cheesy on the outside with a cavernous, chewy interior, as they should be. The starters cleave to Yank tradition, relying heavily on shrimp and lobster cocktails and a large selection of salads. As in the States, the starters are more of an afterthought to the beef, but that's easily done when the steak is this beautiful. Cuts are New York Strip and seriously marbled, with the delicacy and tenderness that you might expect from a fillet. It's available in portions ranging from 250 to 550 grams, with either béarnaise, herb butter or Roquefort butter available for sauces. These can be accompanied by a wide range of sides, including friable onion straws or sumptuous mac 'n cheese, which can be pimped out with lobster. Those brave souls with room enough for desserts can opt for a hot fudge sundae or shaken drunken sundaes. For Gatsby levels of indulgence, Strip Bar & Steak fits the bill.

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