Chez Gerard, one of London’s oldest and most iconic steak restaurants reopens it’s doors.
Chez Gerard opened its doors over four decades ago and rapidly gained a loyal following for serving up the capital’s best steaks. Over 40 years later, the restaurant is still going strong, albeit under new ownership and with a sleeker, more 21st century vibe.
Located in the heart of The City on Bishopsgate, Chez Gerard plays neighbour to the likes of the Heron Tower, the Gurkin and an abundance of wealthy businessmen. You’d be forgiven for thinking the restaurant’s clientele solely came from these nearby city slickers (and we imagine at weekday lunchtimes it most probably does), but in truth Chez Gerard has a lot more to offer.
Steak is very much at the core of what Chez Gerard is all about and after a quick cocktail at the sleek ground floor bar we head up to the restaurant to scour the menu. There’s plenty of steak to choose from porterhouse to Boston trimmed rib, smoked to grilled.
If you’re going to dine at Chez Gerard you’re probably on the lookout for a good juicy steak, so it’s good to know that the starters are much lighter and fresher, with a good healthy dose of fish and seafood.
We began with the hickory home-smoked salmon with truffle oil – decadent and full of flavour and the rock lobster, prawn, crab and avocado cocktail which came served up in a 70s style mammoth cocktail glass. It was fantastically retro but tasted great and we’re firm believers that if ain’t broke…
Next, on to the steaks. We went for the classic and filling porterhouse but there are plenty of other options like rich marbled onglet and lean fillet. The waiters know their stuff and are more than happy to help with anything, be it wine pairing or beef cuts.
The steaks are big, so come hungry. We’d have been happy to tuck into a single steak with a fresh green side salad, but there are plenty of tempting sides to choose from too. The restaurant’s Caesar salad is it’s most popular, made to taste by your waiter out of a antique silver trolley right in front of your eyes. Keep it classic with croutons and Parmesan or mix it up with anything from chili flakes to herring.
And of course, it wouldn’t be steak frites without the frites, which we had to order out of respect if nothing else.
The dessert menu is classic and full of old favourites from steamed treacle pudding to a chocolate sundae. We recommend the trio of sorbets or the gorgeous, zesty lemon tart – the perfect pallet cleansers after such a hefty meal.
The restaurant harks back to the age of old school dining, both in the classic menu and the décor. We were sat in a cosy booth- style table amongst dark woods and desk style table lamps. It’s chic but relaxed, old school but not dated.
Essentially, Chez Gerard is about good food in the heart of London, free from gimmicks or with an over complicated, over designed menu.
If you’re craving a good steak, this is your place.
Chez Gerard, 64 Bishopsgate, City of London EC2N 4AW Tel. 020 7588 1200 www.chezgerard.co.uk
If you’re looking for a lunchtime deal in the heart of The City, check out Chez Gerard’s ‘Steak Express’ which includes a sirloin, bottomless chips and salad all for just £19.95 per person.
Check out StyleNest’s recipe page for breakfast, lunch and dinner inspiration.