The third site for wildly successfully Blacklock is housed in a New York loft-style space a short walk from Old Street station.
Anyone who’s visited the Blacklocks in Soho and the City will know the drill. Kickstart your meal with the pre-chop bites, which consist of three bite-size crackers, stacked with egg and a curl of salted anchovy, a hunk of cheese topped with pickle, and chicken dusted with shreds of strong horseradish.
From the starters proper, we loved the tangy pig’s head on toast, a messy mush of meat topped with sharp gherkins and chillies, and served with a boat of thick gravy. For the main event, Blacklock’s signature ‘all-in’ option remains a must-order: a perfectly cooked, vigorously seasoned stack of beef, lamb and pork chops served atop fluffy, herb-flecked flatbreads which soak up the meat juices.
Desserts add to Blacklock’s homely feel with a vanilla cheesecake served tableside out of a tray. It’s the ultimate indulgence, a crumbly base of crushed Digestives topped with cloud-like levels of fluffiness and curls of white chocolate.
Genuinely friendly staff add to the homely vibe, as too a real mix of diners, from suited business folk to couples on dates and families with young children. Blacklock’s mass appeal is a key part of its success, and with its democratic prices and fun vibe, it truly has something for everyone… except vegetarians.