There's no stopping the steak surge in London, that's for sure, but is the market too competitive to stand out? Grill On The Market don't seem to think so. From a fish list that thwacks with alternative catches to a meat list that has carnivores craving, we found out why GOTM has found respect in a busy, London arena.
Venue and Atmosphere
I wanted to step things up a little as we had a birthday to celebrate, and while your stuffy smokehouse may suffice and your back alley burger joint has its time to shine on the right occasion, Grill On The Market looked like the place to go for a meal that wasn't just your run of the mill meat-fest.
Pleased as punch, Grill On The Market is just the restaurant for special occasions and a little more cash-flashing. While the muted olive tones and the grey, raw materials add a level of gastro to the space, this is a restaurant adding smacks of the sophisticated with bespoke lighting, a smattering of mirrors and high-end pull that means you'll be popping napkins on laps, not using them to make party hats. Don't let this make you think they're anything but open. Genuinely some of the best service we've seen in years, my heart goes out to our waitress Hannah, who went out of her way to explain dishes and keep our glasses full.
Grill On The Market is a plush palace of steak and meat.
Food and Drink
I'll be honest, Grill On The Market isn't for the shy, it's for the gluttonous. And god damn, we were going for gluttonous. Starting with the Piri Piri Calamari at £7.25 alongside saffron mayonnaise and Chicken Skewers at £6.75 with sesame coated skewers and a peanut dip, GOTM smacked us in the face from the start, and we loved it. Refusing to be bogged down by the boring, not only was the calamari unique with a pleasant yet packed heat, the chicken skewers were plump, rich and paired with a luxury dip that went perfectly with a German wine on side.
Showing no signs of slowing down, next up was the 280g Australian rump (£22) with peppercorn sauce and sweet potato chips alongside a Whole Baked Seabass Fillet £19.95 wrapped in lettuce leaf, stuffed with pearl barley cous cous and oven baked. I've tried a lot of seabass dishes, and never before has mine been baked in lettuce leaf. Adding a freshness to the flavour, the meat on the fish was plump, and the texture of the pearl barley went down like a dream. The rump too was unparalleled; served with a peppercorn sauce that had just the right bite, this meat was tender, perfectly cut and a testament to the meat-heavy menu.
Closing with a Rich Chocolate & Salted Caramel Pot at £7.25 with chocolate cornflake florentines, GOTM had one last surprise up their sleeve, and that was one of the best desserts known to man.
The piri piri calamari at Grill On The Market is a testament to their creative side.
Summary
From unstoppable praise for their waitress Hannah to an inspired calamari dish, there's a reason why Grill On The Market has higher price points, and that's because they're of my honest opinion, value for money. A luxury yet open dining experience where getting hands on with dinner is encouraged, this is a restaurant that has produced undeniable dishes, and given us more than something to talk about.
