Will Beckett, Grilled!

The Hawksmoor has been hailed by critics and bloggers alike as one of the greatest London restaurants. A quote on their website from Jay Rayner states ‘The best steak I have eaten in this country’. We agree, and also the best chips (triple cooked), even the spinach was perfect.

I chose the Seven Dials branch to celebrate Ade’s 40th birthday back in May in the private dining room, the food was simply stunning, brilliant service and fantastic cocktails also.

Will Beckett and Huw Gott are soon to open their third steak restaurant and cocktail bar, Hawksmoor Guildhall, on Basinghall Street in the City in October. And here’s some news that is sure to bring joy to many, a book is on its way – Hawksmoor At Home, which can be pre-ordered here for £20, and all profits got to Action Against Hunger. The synopsis says it’s a practical cookbook which shows you how to buy and cook great steak and seafood and indeed much more (including how to cook the both the ‘best burger in Britain’ and the ‘best roast beef in Britain’); how to mix terrific cocktails and choose wine to accompany your meal. _____________________________________________________________________________________

If money was no object, where would you open a restaurant and what would it be like?
Actually I’m a bit in love with Hawksmoor – it is my fantasy restaurant, but if I could open it anywhere (and there was a guarantee of success!) it’d be New York – I think that’s probably the benchmark for the kind of restaurants I love.  If I were to do something non-steaky maybe I’d like to do an amazing Italian restaurant.

If you had to eat the same meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I could avoid becoming the size of a whale I’d eat our hamburger.

What do you keep on your bedside table?
Books – mine (which are insanely geeky) and my son’s – he’s 15 months and always comes into our bed in the morning for milk and a read with his daddy.

When is the last time you had a McDonald’s or similar fast food?
Every time I go to the airport without my wife.

What is your career Plan B?
I always wanted to be a dilettante intellectual – the kind of person that wanders around bohemian cafés with a well-thumbed book and making a living by doing a bit of writing.

What’s your favourite thing on the menu at the Hawksmoor to cook at home?
The puddings – I eat at Hawksmoor so often that I don’t want to eat that way at home, but I never eat dessert there (I’m always too full).  The wintery ones like Beef Suet Sticky Toffee Pudding or Marmalade Pudding are my favourites.

Is there any food you can’t stand to eat?
I don’t like mashed potato, Marmite, peanut butter or sweet and sour sauce.

Do you have any reoccuring dreams?
I dream about work far too much when I sleep, and about Scarlett Johansson when I’m at work.

Who would be your ideal dinner date?
My wife, Maria – any time spent with her is time well spent. Otherwise anyone who is intelligent and passionate about what they do.

What is the one object you can’t do without?
My iPhone.  I have an appalling memory and I’m not a naturally organised person, so if I lose that I’d be in all sorts of trouble.

Hawksmoor Seven Dials
11 Langley Street
City of London, London WC2H 9JG
Open Mon-Sat 12pm-10:30pm; Sun 12pm-5pm
Tel: 0207 856 2154

Hawksmoor Spitalfields
157 Commercial Street
City of London E1 6BJ
020 7247 7392
Open Weekdays 12pm-12am; Sat 11am-12am; Sun 11am-5pm
Tel: 020 7856 2154

Hawksmoor Guildhall
10 Basinghall Street
London
020 7397 8120

Hawksmoor At Home by Huw Gott, Will Beckett & Richard Turner,
published by Preface Publishing. Pre-order here