It seems that everywhere you look, a new steak restaurant is opening in Manchester. One of the latest is a London institution named Blacklock. It is said to be a more ‘affordable’ steak restaurant compared to Gaucho’s or one of my favourites, Hawksmoor.

To try it out for myself, we headed down to try their Sunday roast offering. I have to say that one of my favourites for Sunday lunch is Hawksmoor, where you can choose your own cut, and add the trimmings on the side. More recently, I have also been blown away by the Sunday lunch at Tender, which you can read about here.

The Sunday lunch menu at Blacklock costs around £25 per person, with options of beef, lamb or pork. You can also opt for a sharer which includes all three (2 persons minimum @ £26 per person).

I always pride myself on being 100% honest when it comes to reviews, and so I must disclose that my first visit let me down somewhat, not because of the food, but because of how it made me feel. However, the restaurant did reach out following my initial review, and their apology along with me always hearing great things about their London restaurants, led me to give it another try.

On my first visit, I thought the music was a little too loud, and the whole environment seemed hectic in my head, this led me to not relax and feel a little on edge. I was however assured that this was down to it being newly opened, paired with an abundance of people calling in sick on the day of my visit, I therefore hoped my second visit would be different.

I have to be totally clear and say, it most definitely was, and not just slightly different, but a complete contrast to the first. The whole atmosphere was inviting, the staff were smiling all around the restaurant and I soon felt at ease and ready to enjoy my food.

We ordered the sharing platter for 3 of us on our first visit, which turned up quite quickly. It was piled high, and whilst looking impressive, the way it was piled up on the platter, it was quite difficult to serve and the plates you had with the platter were quite small.

Therefore on our second visit, we all opted for single plates, we all opted for the roast beef, having enjoyed it the most first time around.

The beef, once again, was cooked perfectly. Medium rare, which is just my liking, it was melt in the mouth and bursting with flavour. Likewise the potatoes were fantastically crisp, with a fluffy centre.

The gravy on both visits was gorgeous, and even better, you could ask for top ups, which we undoubtedly took advantage of. Mopping up gravy with potatoes and Yorkshire Pudding, while someone asked if you needed more gravy, put a little smile on my inside.

I couldn’t help but feel, that this was like a Sunday Roast at your nans, or even more, a great aunts. One who wanted to make sure that you were enjoying their food, but without being in your face or over the top.

Wine options are also good, with a number available on tap, meaning you can choose the size you want, including a 500ml carafe to share.

Dessert options had also changed on the second visit, with a bread and butter pudding with custard on the menu.

A homely pudding, with a rather special custard to add. The small china bowls it was served in, also reinforcing the feel of being at a caring relatives for lunch.

On our first visit, I wanted to go for a drink and relax afterwards, however on this occasion I felt happy and content. I felt like we had been looked after with love, by a team that care deeply about what they do.

This isn’t the most amazing meal you will ever have, it’s also not my favourite Sunday lunch ever. But then again, some of my most memorable, also cost a fair packet, and aren’t places you would visit on a regular basis.

Blacklock on the other hand could quickly become a staple go to for Sunday lunch in the city, at a great price – I now understand why others who have described the London restaurants to me previously, talk about it with warmth.

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to experience Blacklock how it should be, and grateful that they reached out after my first visit to accept that it hadn’t been what it should of been. Sunday Roast, like all dining experiences, are about more than just the food and drink, its about how it makes you feel.

Blacklock thank you – you made me feel content, relaxed and happy, all with great food.