By Fionnuala Bourke
This is an exceptionally unique brand which really does have it all.
Delicious food, a fun atmosphere in stylish surroundings, a touch of nostalgia, sustainable produce – and it is value for money.
Birmingham is in for a treat when Blacklock opens at St Philips Square overlooking Cathedral Square (aka Pigeon Park) this autumn.
The restaurant brand is moving into a beautiful Victorian building on the opposite side of the square to the Old Joint Stock – in what used to be the home of the Vicar of Birmingham Cathedral.
The disused building is being revamped and reimagined into a stylish 100 cover restaurant which is shaping up impressively, we are told.
The venue’s historic links to a Cathedral are a far cry away from the first Blacklock venue – which was a brothel in Soho in London!
In case you don’t know chophouses date back to the 1690s. They were popular across British towns and cities with people from all backgrounds, serving up cuts of meat attached to the bone where you get most of the flavour.
They kind of got surpassed by steak houses in the 1960s, but have become more popular in recent times as more of us are eating out.
I was invited to experience Blacklock ahead of its first Birmingham opening and being a meat lover, I was very excited to get a sneak peek of what lies ahead for my home city.
Blacklock celebrates the best of the chophouse with a fantastic menu featuring the best cuts of meat from a farm in Cornwall – they buy the whole animal and use all of the meat.
You can expect a truly magnificently meaty treat when the brand opens in Birmingham.
The restaurant prides itself in caramelising its meat from the charcoal grill while keeping the middle pink and juicy.
Their more-ish meat dishes are oozing with mighty flavours and all of those meaty protein and nutrients, and the unique cooking techniques all help! They use vintage irons made in the 1800s in the Blacklock Foundry in Tennessee are used to create a bubbling crust on each chop wonder.
There are five Blacklock chophouses in London – and one in Manchester, so it’s about time the popular brand opened up in Brum!
We began our tour with lunch in the former Soho brothel which is a wonderfully cosy and atmospheric downstairs restaurant these days – with vintage decor and charm creating a welcoming environment.
There were fun 80s tracks in the background adding to the feel good factor.
We got to try it all! Starting with pre-chop bites including deliciously appetising potted meats and kimchi, egg and anchovy and cheese and pickle – for just £1.50 each (I told you it was value for money).
My favourite was the exceptional Blacklock Burger with a boozy touch. It is a double cheeseburger with onions caramelised in vermouth – yes, vermouth! This is priced at £14. Other lunch options are a huge steak sarnie and steak and stout pie – I did try this also and it was also fab, especially drowned in rich, gorgeous gravy.
Covent Garden was a bigger venue with a similar buzzing feel with exposed brickwork and historic pictures adorning the walls – and some more 80s hits to add to the lively venue where we had dinner.
It also has some top rate bar tenders who really do know their stuff – a bit more about the drinks further down in this story.
We got to try most of the Blacklock Friday night dinner menu during our epic visit.
Starters included delicious and wholesome mushrooms on toast for £8, pig’s head on toast for £8.50 and a generously portioned and very tasty crayfish cocktail for £10.50.
On the main dinner menu you can order chops for £7.50 each, with pork loin, pork rib, lamb cutlet and lamb T-bone on the menu
There’s also big chops recommended for two to share which are priced from £10.
Steaks are priced from £15 up to £22. And not forgetting, probably the most popular option, you can go all in for £27 and get pre-chop bites with beef, pork, and lamb skinny chops piled high on charcoal grilled flatbreads with a choice of side dish (recommended for two to share).
You guessed it – we went all in and enjoyed a meat feast.
Each chop was a triumph packed with juicy goodness. A surprise hit included the bread underneath the chops which soaked up all the liquor, it was incredible.
There are vegetarian options too – I didn’t get to try those, but was reliably informed that the barbecued cauliflower chop is excellent.
In addition to meat and the veggie options, and a first ever for Blacklock, the Birmingham restaurant is going to serve fish – so we could end up being ahead of the game after all.
There isn’t a huge range of puddings – three in total – and the star of the show is Blacklock’s white chocolate cheese cake with spring berries.
It really is a cuddle in a bowl, so chocolatey, so creamy, so crunchy, so sweet. I think I could eat it all day. It costs £7.75 and is worth every penny.
I mentioned the drinks earlier and there are a few things to consider when ordering drinks at Blacklock.
The first is to understand that the bar staff really are experts in their field. They know the history and the latest trends and are ready to serve you the tipple you deserve.
From an original selection of cocktails which were priced from £9 in London – yes, £9 for a cocktail in London – to mocktails, there’s an interesting variety to catch your eye and the menu is updated regularly.
There are plenty of beers on tap, with Blacklock Lager available from £4.65 for example, bottles and cans and a cider.
Wine is served on tap and by the glass with a small blend costing £6. Again this is a nod to sustainability with Blacklock highlighting the versatility of the keg wines which keep the drinks fresh and delicious.
There’s so much more I could mention about the food – but it may be best if you just get yourself down to Blacklock when it opens later in the year
And, not forgetting, most important of all…
There are so many ingredients that have helped Blacklock become a success, but maybe the most important of all is the 80s music.
I’m joking – although it is a great era for tunes.
The most important ingredient – for real – is the staff.
The Blacklock team members there to ensure you enjoy a great experience and get the most out of your visit. They are all so passionate and knowledgeable about the brand and its magnificent meat.
Birmingham is in for a real treat come autumn. Keep an eye out for updates by signing up to Blacklock here: Blacklock chophouse opening in Birmingham
We will, of course, bring you updates as soon as we get them too – including that all important opening date.