Popeseye Steak House

Quite quiet on a Saturday night. The service was friendly and efficient. You have to, of course, like steak as there is nothing else and no starters but given the main course is more than adequate that is not a big drawback. Didn't have room for dessert. Good selection of wines. The house wine is reasonably priced but if you choose something else you have to go up at least £12 so maybe some bottles at £18-£20 would not a a bad idea.

I think the bill is a bit more than it might be for what it is. not enough to put me off but they are being a little greedy.
Comment on this reader review

Jeremy - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Monday, December 19, 2011

I recently moved into a flat in Olympia and while exploring the area, I discovered Popeseye within a 5 minute walk from my new home. Looking in from outside the window it seemed to be quite a cozy and charming hidden away treasure. Naturally, I was quite excited to have a local steakhouse and very keen to try it. Eventually, I went one night with my flatmate.

Upon arriving there at around 9pm we learnt that they did not accept card payments. This was initially not a problem, since we were neither starving nor rushed and the nearest cash machine was a 10 minute walk away. The wine was nice and the steak was tasty as well (albeit overpriced). As the clock approached 10pm, most of the other diners were finishing their meals, leaving only my friend and I in the restaurant. This was when an enjoyable evening began to transform into an irritating experience.

The waitress/owner came to us and asked to take whatever sauces we wanted now because she wanted to take it away to the kitchen since the chef was finished for the night. A few minutes later she returned to take our plates away despite the fact that we were still eating from the big bowl of chips. Left only with our glasses of wine, the lady put the bill on our table. We were taken aback because the dessert menu was not even offered to us. Seconds later the lights were switched on and the music was turned off. It was barely past 10pm !!!

My friend questioned the woman about her actions since the closing time of the restaurant was clearly stated as 11pm on both their website and front door. She then proceeded to mumble about not to read the website and she is not going to remain open with only 2 customers and was not going to pay her staff extra because of only 2 customers. We were irritated by her attitude and then made to feel even more uncomfortable when she sat on the table next to us, watching us as we finished our glasses of wine. Not feeling at all welcome in this place, we downed our glasses and left. It was not even 10:30 pm.

Popeseye may seem like a warm place from the outside, but we were treated very coldly once inside. After paying £75 for the two us, the least one can expect is friendly treatment. Part of an enjoyable meal is the hospitality of the staff and the workers at Popesye have no humanity. I will not ever be returning to Popeseye and I do not recommend it to anyone who wants to have a pleasurable and relaxing experience.
Comment on this reader review

Idris
4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Friday, August 12, 2011

Personally, I don't see what all the fuss it about. Whilst the atmosphere and service was undeniably charming, the steak was really quite average and nowhere near as good as I had imagined. Perhaps I just had a bad one?

One reasonable complaint I would level at the management was the fact that the chips, which come with the steaks, were really boring and tasteless fat chips bought, I think (although I accept I did not ask), in bulk - you know, the ones you get in a cheap pub. They are fine in that environment, but if you make a point of only serving steak and chips (and charge quite a lot for it) why do you not make your own chips?
Comment on this reader review

Rick Brown
7 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, July 08, 2010

Simply put, the best steak I've ever had. Perfect cuts of meat cooked to a tee, fantastic wine list and a great atmosphere that some people may probably feel is a bit too down-market for them - for me, it just feels like a cosy neighbourhood eatery. I don't need loads of mahogany or real tablecloths to have a good time. The steak does it all.

It's not cheap, but neither are any of the top steakhouses in town. I am happy to pay the price for an obviously superior steak.

Going tonight and opting for the 20 ounce and I can't wait. Hope I make it home.
Comment on this reader review

9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Saturday, May 08, 2010

I am a big steak eater i went there a few weeks ago with my wife and my son

the steak was very good and loved the steak fries would of been nice if they served mushrooms and there deserts are a bit on the small side i did find it a bit pricey £102 for 2 adults and 1 child no wine or beer as we co not drink but i still would tell people that this is a great steak house with no frills just good steak
Comment on this reader review

George
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Friday, April 09, 2010

Only average I'm afraid. I agree with reviewers below who say a cheap fit out is fine but only if the steak is awesome. And it ain't. I had 12oz Sirloin for £24 and it was, well, flavourless. They say all beef has been hung for 14 (yes 14) days. This explains why it's flavourless (needs to be min 21 days, preferably 28 days in my opinion) Popeseye has been around for ages but with the explosion of steak houses on the London scene (ref Goodman, Hawksmoor, Palm etc) it needs to up its game to survive.
Comment on this reader review

Tim Grist
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Saturday, October 31, 2009

The steak is good but not great, it could be hung longer, it has a great char from the cooking but the actual meat taste could be denser, the salad is well dressed and the chips are nice and crunchy, but verging on overly crunchy.

The wine list has lots of interest at very reasonable prices (as in they are probably a standard three times markup on what they are paying at auction, but it feels better value than that because I don't want to go to auction and buy a case of claret just past its peak of maturity, but it is fun to drink over mature bordeaux once in a while!).

Given how much the bill is the decor, especially paper tablecloths is a bit too down market, but the waiting staff are jolly.

The downside to this place is that steak and chips, a bottle of interesting wine and service and the bill is over £40 a head. Quite steep for a one course meal when the beef isn't really the greatest. If I was paid more I'd go back, as there is something nice about the concept, but I'm not so next time I fancy steak and chips I'll do it myself...
Comment on this reader review

6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Saturday, April 04, 2009