Man eaters: the best restaurants fit for a bromance in London

Rib nights, beer sommeliers, double portions of gravy and posh curry, London has plenty of options for a dinner with a mate when you don’t want to feel like you’re on a date
Lucy Hunter Johnston18 October 2013

FLAT IRON GREAT VALUE STEAK IN SOHO

Where 17 Beak Street, W1 (flatironsteak.co.uk)

What The idea behind Flat Iron is that steak doesn’t need to be staggeringly expensive, which ES heartily supports. And we’re clearly not the only ones: last summer’s pop-up in Shoreditch was so successful that Flat Iron opened its first restaurant in Soho on the back of it at the end of the year. It’s no reservations, a trend that is driving London bonkers, but there’s a cracking cocktail bar in the basement to make up for it (although they could do with raising the lights a little).

Why Nothing says no-nonsense fodder time like a menu with only one item. Even better for the bro-date, the whole caboodle (served with house salad) costs an even £10, which means it’s easy to split and there’s no flirty yet awkward reaching-for-the-cheque dance to contend with.

Order this Err… steak. Yes, there is also a nightly special but seriously, just get the Flat Iron steak.

GYMKHANA TOP-CLASS INDIAN IN MAYFAIR

Where 42 Albemarle Street, W1 (020 3011 5900; gymkhanalondon.com)

What Gymkhana is an Indian restaurant, but cast all ideas of an oily tikka masala far from your mind — this is from the same team as Marylebone’s Michelin-starred Trishna, and serves the real deal in a leather and mahogany Raj-esque setting. The Evening Standard’s Fay Maschler has only ever given four five-star reviews, and Gymkhana got one of them. The last place admitted to that hallowed club was Dabbous, and you can’t get a table there until 2014.

Why Upgrade those boys’ nights down Brick Lane with better food, nicer interiors, smarter service... same hilarious banter.

Order this The dosa with Chetinaad duck and coconut chutney, £8.50.

DIP & FLIP BURGERS IN BATTERSEA

Where 87 Battersea Rise, SW11 (dipandflip.co.uk)

What Just when you thought the burger craze had finally run out of ketchup, along comes yet another twist on the concept. The ‘French Dip’ at this fast-food joint is a standard meat sandwich, but served with a vat of gravy for dipping.

Why You know the best thing about having dinner with your mate, rather than your partner? Eating doorstopper slabs of meat, slathered in cheese and bacon and repeatedly dunked in gravy, without getting so much as a raised eyebrow, let alone a pointed comment about your under-used gym membership.

Order this The Dip & Flip burger (£9.95) comes with extra gravy-drenched meat on top. Sarnies can be ‘dipped’ or ‘soaked’. It’s pretty obvious which way you should be ordering.

HONKY TONK AMERICAN CANTEEN IN CLAPHAM

Where 16A Clapham Common South Side, SW4 (honkytonkchelsea.com)

What The New York-style diner has opened a second branch in Clapham with so much exposed brick and fizzing lightbulbs that if you squinted you’d almost believe you were in Dalston. It promises ‘American flavour, British behaviour’, which gives the disturbing image of a moustachioed stiff upper lip covered in cronut sugar, but the barrel-aged cocktails are strong enough for the most committed tippler, and the ‘hard’ milkshakes are among the best we’ve had.

Why Thursday is Rib Night, perfect for some caveman-style bonding.

Order this Flirt with the waitress to ensure the beer trolley (just as great as it sounds) doesn’t move far from your table. The beer sommelier (yes!) can recommend the best ales for your food — a flight of three starts at £12.50.

SMOKEHOUSE POSH PUB NOSH IN ISLINGTON

Where 63-69 Canonbury Road, N1 (020 7354 1144; smokehouseislington.co.uk)

What Neil Rankin, the barbecue king formerly at Pitt Cue and John Salt, has opened his first solo restaurant on Islington’s Canonbury Road. We say ‘restaurant’, but the wood-heavy interior, complete with large central bar, is more like a gussied-up pub — if your local serves lobster frittata and short rib bourguignon, that is.

Why Yes, the food here is undeniably ace, but Smokehouse also has one of the best craft beer lists in London, and therefore probably the world. The garden is also the ideal spot to share a postprandial electric cigarette and set the world to rights.

Order this Lamb stovies (£4) — braised potato with meat — is pretty heavy for what is ostensibly a side dish, but a real man like you should be able to handle it.

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