Do you have birthday traditions? I do.
It started in 2006 when my new friends from the UK threw a surprise party and served Argentinian steaks (which were overcooked like sorry souls from hell) and Chinese birthday noodles (to symbolise long life and had more crab stick than actual noodles). We all laughed about how none of us will ever be chefs but agreed it was a great night; despite being far from home I felt loved and felt I was exactly where I needed to be. Since then I would always have steak, crab, and balloons for my birthday.
The weeks leading up to my birthday this year have been rather hectic so I wasn’t able to plan anything celebratory. However, thanks to the sweetest and most awesome friends in London, my “accidental” birthday traditions still pulled through.
First off, my birthday steak!
My Filo girl friends threw me a pre-birthday dinner at Goodman City. Though I’ve visited the Maddox St branch a few times before, it was my first time at the Old Jewry branch. I liked how it felt so familiar because the ambience is pretty much the same with that traditional steakhouse feel.
Compared to other popular steakhouses in London (Gaucho, Hawksmoor, MASH) I think Goodman easily claims the top spot.
Niceties exchanged, we scoured the menu and the specials board for food options. Wine was an easier choice to make; we shared a few bottles of Vina Mar Pinot Noir Reserva (£42), a Chilean red that super easy to drink with a hint of spice and fresh aromatics.
We had three types of starters:
The lobster bisque (£7.50) was smooth. It was surprisingly light and but had a well-balanced flavour.
The tiger prawn tempura (£12) was a crowd favourite. Coated in light, non-greasy batter the prawns were juicy and went well with the creamy avocado. The cajun mayo had a nice kick and reminded us of Chippy, a Filipino brand of corn chips.
My favourite starter was the beef carpaccio (£8). It was seriously a well-balanced dish: the meat had the perfect thickness and the amount of parmesan and balsamic dressing was just right for the portion size. It was such a refreshing starter.
And then we move on to steaks!
Most girls went for the rib-eye (£34 for 400g ) which was juicy and perfect with its marbling (bar from one piece which was about a third of fat).
The sirloin (£32 for 350g) is my second favourite cut as it’s quite lean, but you still get a strip of fat (which I love when burnt to a nice crisp). C ordered a medium rare piece and it wanted to finish what she couldn’t eat!
I went for my usual fillet (£34) cooked rare. At 250g this is the perfect portion size for me.
My photos won’t ever do the cook on the steak any justice. It was a great pink colour and seasoning was on point.
Seriously guys, it’s the best fillet steak in town.
My girl friends are serious munchers so of course, how can we not have sides? Goodman’s sides are so delicious and so well-portioned you could make a meal of it.
The creamed spinach with gruyere (£5) is a favourite.
Garlic butter mushrooms (£5) are so moreish and meaty. On point with the garlic, too!
The truffle chips (£5.50) were perfectly crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
And that mac & cheese (£5) with truffle sauce and parmesan? Ugh. Delicious.
After all that food we were quite full up so we tried to digest the meatsweat by snapping up some photos and acting a wee bit silly.
We definitely worked up a sweat to warrant a round of desserts. After all, what’s a birthday dinner with sweet friends sans sweet afters, non?
The Goodman City choc chip brownie ice cream sundae (£7) is every chocoholic’s dream. This was insanely delicious. Rich and superbly sweet it’s a perfectly indulgent way to end a feast of a meal.
Can’t say much about the banana ice cream (£3.5), though. It just lacked that fresh banana flavour.
My banana chocolate mousse cake was on the house (usually £7). This dessert was fab. The banana mousse wrapped in great tasting milk chocolate was just divine.
I absolutely enjoyed my pre-birthday dinner at Goodman City. Food was really excellent and service was very good (our main server, Rae, was absolutely bonkers in the most fantastic way).
More importantly, the company was great. I’m truly blessed to have friends who are very organised when life sometimes isn’t! I definitely went home that night with a belly full of steak and a heart full of love.
11 Old Jewry, London EC2R
Ave spend pp: £100
Wowzer! That steak looks epic! Definitely gonna have to check Goodman's out, I've heard so much about it!
C x | Lux Life
You have to, Luxy! Steaks are soooo good! =)
I love that you have birthday traditions, H! Steak, crab and balloons are all such joyful things. And the steak at Goodman's looks soooo good (plus creamed spinach with gruyere, hello!) Plus all of you look like you've just entered your twenties - crazy jealous of those Filo genes! xx
Haha, T we're all in our 30s save for D… but that makes you what… 12? x I think I should add 'desk plant' to the tradition, non?
Bahahaha oh god. I just realised a certain someone hit 30 when I was still doing my GCSEs 😉 And haha, yes! You can never have too many succulents…xx
Bahahahahaha! true that!!!!
Your birthday steak looks delicious! x
It was indeed, Amanda. And I would love to have it everyday! Haha! x
Happy birthday my lovely 🙂 Looks like such a fun night!!
Thanks my dear! I went to Dinings on my actual birthday too and had a look on your review to see what we should order. x
IS IT NOT JUST THE BEST? So glad you loved it too! Although you've made me relive all of the taste sensations and now all I want to do is run to Goodman. Hope you had a wonderful birthday 🙂 Lots of love, Andrea xxx
Andrea's Passions
So yummy, Andrea! Thanks for recommending the tempura - it was goooood! x
The Brownie ice cream sundae!!! YUM. Everything looks so good x
Mehreen A | wrapyourlipsaroundthis.com
Yes! I think it's exclusive to the City restaurant too. x
Happy belated birthday Honey! Goodmans sounds like the perfect place for a celebration
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
It's the perfect birthday food! Thanks Suze! x
Happy Bday! Steak is a fantastic idea for a birthday tradition! I'm sad I didn't think of it 😉
Cheers, m'dear. At least it's something to do for your next birthday! x
The Swede's favourite London steak house! Looks like you had a fun night 🙂 xx
Steak is always good! Haha! Cheers x