Ex-L'Atelier des Chefs MD opens 'affordable' steak restaurant
Arlo's in Balham eschews traditional steak cuts such as sirloin and fillet and instead features bavette and picanha as its primary cuts with specials including 7-bone steak and deckle (known to butchers as Butcher's Butter). Steaks are priced between £12 and £16 to make dishes more affordable.
McNeile, who left his job at L'Atelier des Chefs in 2015 to set up his first restaurant, said: “I wanted to move away from the old stalwarts of fillet, sirloin, ribeye and rump and offer something excellent but different.
"I set off to taste and test a bewildering range of steaks wherever I could find them, eventually reaching the conclusion that the finest – the most interesting, the tastiest – were often the least well known cuts, and never the most expensive.”
Affordable
Arlo's, which opened at the end of the summer, was created with the aim of making 'going out for a steak' as affordable as going for a burger or a pizza. Side dishes such as hand-cut chips, jalapeno slaw, chargrilled broccoli and side salads are priced between £2.50 and £4 with wine available by the glass for £4 and bottles starting at £18.
Instead of starters, Arlo's offers a trio of snacks and a British charcuterie board while desserts include a homemade Lolo's lemon posset and Ice cream pavlova. Vegetarian main courses are also available as well as a £7 'Little Arlo's' children's menu offering a small steak or macaroni cheese with brocolli and chips, fruit juice and a dessert.
McNeile said the restaurant had been well-received with different cuts proving popular.
"Arlo's has a very simple and straightforward goal - to source the very best beef and to serve it quickly and simply. We're serious about steak, it's our focus and our obsession," he said.
"What’s great about offering lesser known cuts is that it creates a dialogue between the team and guests; there are good concise descriptions of each cut on the menu but guests still like to know more and the team are very happy to tell them."