Blacklock Restaurant Soho

It’s not every day that a trio of ex-Hawksmoor employees open a restaurant dedicated entirely to chops, in the basement of an old Soho brothel. What was once an underground lap dancing bar is now a very different kind of meat market for ardent carnivores with an open kitchen, open brickwork cosiness, communal wooden tables and candlelit booths, an intimate cocktail bar (try a crystal decanter of Negroni for the table!)

Vigorously seasoned lamb, pork and veal chops are pressed down onto the charcoal grill with antique irons from Blacklock Foundry in America's Deep South. They are lusciously pink and juicy on the inside, whilst seared around the edges and served on platters of fluffy flatbread that gloriously soak up the juices. Best sides are riddled baby gem and 10 hours coal-roasted sweet potato served still smouldering.

The Sunday lunch has fast become a benchmark with meat sourced from one of Britain's best butchers (Warren's in Cornwall) together with generous portions and brilliant all the works trimmings and old-fashioned desserts including exceptional vanilla cheesecake.

Price: £80+ for two ordering generously with cocktails and wine
Bookings are taken for lunch and for dinner groups of six or more.