If there’s one thing I’m a sucker for, it’s a good steak dinner. From juicy cuts of meat to indulgent sides and gorgeous glasses of wine, it’s all a winner in my books. So when I was invited to the swanky restaurant, Macellaio RC in South Kensington, I was absolutely buzzing. Not to mention it was the perfect excuse for a romantic date night with my beau.

The Macellaio reviews are in. The steak tartare is absolutely delish.

Walking along Old Brompton Road, the restaurant looked like a small butchershop from the outside. Quaint and unassuming with gorgeous cuts of dry-aged meat hanging from hooks, the restaurant really was a hidden gem. Inside, the environment was intimate with scarlet-painted walls and quirky frames as the backdrop. We settled into plush red seating with a single long candle flickering as we flipped through the menu.

I kicked off with a classic espresso martini (£10), which was a nice mix of coffee and vodka. We also nabbed a bottle of A.B.C. Poggio Alla Fassona Isonzo Del Friuli 2021 (£32) to share. Light, aromatic and fruity, the red wine really hit the spot, but we were cautious to save a good amount for our mains. Next, the waiter moseyed over with a bit of bread and a lit beef fat candle – yup, you read that right. The small candle made for the perfect alternative to your standard butter. You betcha we soaked up every little drop we could.

In terms of starters, we both were excited to try two variations of beef. I opted for the steak tartare (£17), fassona beef topped with a delicate yolk. While the egg exuded a nice creaminess, the morsels of beef were elevated with bits of pickles to give the dish a salty edge. My date went for the Battuta Zola (£17), a starter using the same beef, but with blue cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. While mine really allowed the meat to shine, his starter had a bit more complexity and was definitely more indulgent.

Steak platters are on the menu at this London restaurant.

As for mains, we were stumped on which steak to go for so we asked for recommendations – our lovely waiter suggested we try The Revolver (£75 for 500 grams), a Lake District boneless ribeye wrapped in bone marrow. We ordered our steak medium-rare and that was 100% the right choice. It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious on its own, but when we dipped it into a marsala peppercorn sauce (£2), it really took each bite to the next level.

Now don’t worry, we didn’t just order meat the whole time. We paired our main platter with a side of mac ‘n cheese (£9.50) and truffle fries (£9). Piping hot and lightly crusted on top, each bite was ooey gooey while the crispy fries were garnished with parmesan making for a much fancier take on normal chips. Now, I’m not really a dessert girl, but on this occasion, it seemed like a missed opportunity to end the night there. So I opted for the amaretto tiramisu (£8), which wasn’t just your average square slice of the Italian treat. Instead, it was served in a little glass pot, so you can see the layers of ladyfingers. Oozing amaretto and a bit of chocolate flavour, it came in a nice small size – perfect if you’ve got a second stomach for desserts but equally don’t want to go overboard.

If you have room for more, they also whip up gorgeous Italian dishes.

The DesignMyNight Digest 

Overall, my boyfriend and I were really blown away with the quality here. From the iconic beef fat candle we saw on TikTok to the steak platters and intimate ambience, it’s a classic date night destination. But what really made the evening was the great service. The waiters were more than happy to suggest dinner options based on our taste, which made for a very enjoyable and personal dining experience. While the price can add up, it’s definitely worth keeping on your list if you fancy splashing the cash.

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