The Tip Line: Elliot's steak frites lunch deal
Your weekly high-low recommendation on what to eat or drink in London.
What: Bavette steak, frites, long pepper sauce & béarnaise butter (£15)
When: Friday lunchtimes
Where: Elliot’s Hackney, 121-123 Mare St, London E8 3RH
Elliot’s is an OG at this point — the granddaddy of produce-forward, small-plates, natural wine bar/restaurant hybrids in London. Their Borough Market spot has been going strong for 14 (!!) years and is still booked and buzzing. That longevity alone is bonkers. In 2021, a second site opened on Mare Street in Hackney, which is thankfully a bit easier to snag a reservation at.
Although I’m definitely biased (the owners are friends), I’m also a “small plates joint” certified hater. But Brett Redman has nailed the formula — a wood-fired oven and grill at each site means bigger dishes (pizzas, fish, chops, steak) sit alongside the seasonal smaller dishes, keeping it balanced, satisfying, and a menu that’s far from silly little London small plates meme territory.
So, how delightful then that Elliot’s in Hackney have launched a Friday lunchtime steak frites deal! For £15 you’ll be served an extremely generous and deeply yum plate of Swaledale Bavette steak, peppercorn sauce, bearnaise butter and a mountain of house frites (a glass of wine or beer can be added to the deal, for an extra fiver - yes please!)
Book up, friends!
This is a good! Those chips look sublime
That looks a properly delicious steak and very generously portioned, unlike some on a deal (or not even on a deal!). Interesting on the peppercorn sauce and bearnaise butter combo, every day is a school day!