I went to Newcastle's new-look Miller & Carter for steak - but was blown away by prawns, sauce & wine!

Nothing beats a good steak, right?

You know, the pink in the middle, juicy, dipped in beef dripping sauce kind. Whetting the appetite?

Well, it’s a case of popular familiarity, adjoined to new surrounds at the freshly revamped Newcastle city centre Miller & Carter. And NewcastleWorld was lucky enough to get a special VIP invite to go along and try out what the place has to offer.

On the corner of Dean Street and Grey Street, Mosley Street to be precise, the restaurant is right at the succulent centre of the city’s foodie and nightlife scene. With it’s high-end decor and traditional, well-priced menu, Miller and Carter have taken over the medium-range eat out game with their tasty offerings.

Graduation dinner? Miller and Carter. Date night with the missus? Miller and Carter. Any old excuse for a night out? Yes, again, Miller and Carter.

They’re not a high end eatery, nor do they try to be, but they’re levels above the normal chain places that litter town and city centres across the UK. They’re a chain plus - and one that really makes producing top class food and service look like a breeze.

Sweeping through the rather ornate glass doors, you’re opened out into a vast, high-ceilinged expanse, with a bar to the right, large seating area to the left and balcony with a second, less-sizeable area above.

For someone like me, and others in my middling age range, you’ve probably been here before, although, it probably didn’t look this flash. Memories of sinking jugs of Skittles came flooding back, which would often precede some low grade kebab to end the night. This time high end meat was on the menu, washed down with a perfectly accompanying red. Now that’s what you call acting your age, I think!

One thing that really makes Miller and Carter stand out is the service. We were hosted by the most wonderful, knowledgeable waiter. You always are when in this place. And even though the menu is relatively straightforward, some degree of guidance does go a long way, unless you are, of course an expert on cuts of beef. I’m sure few are. I certainly am not.

I’m not a man who likes too much fat on my plate - so I was advised to go for the 30oz, 30-day aged fillet. All seemed a bit posh and on the smaller side, but I’d never tried the cut and was keen to see what all the fuss - created by our host - was all about.

The rack of ribs, with slaw and other trimmings as well as a sirloin, medium with béarnaise were ordered up. The steak experience - of which we ordered two - always comes with a cute iceberg slice with dressing - blue cheese is the best - as well as chips, onion loaf (like an unspiced bhaji) and a tomato, all cooked to perfection.

But before all that, myself and my two guests for the evening - I brought my mam and dad along for the ride - shared a garlic bread and some beautiful king prawns to start. Any regular readers of my food reviews will know, fish kinda isn’t my thing - but wow, these were! Juicy, meaty and full of punch with a spicy dusting, they were perfect, mopped up with the melty, cheesy garlic bread.

This first course, in a less than ceremonious manner, was accompanied by lager, that was until the the black-fruited, warmth of the first (yes, we did have a few) bottle of Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon arrived. It was divine. So divine we ordered more... and more.

On to the mains.

We can all cook steak, well most of us who are remotely literate when it comes to pots and pans can, anyway. I’m no expert, but I like to think I can craft a beautiful sear and finish to any beefy offering from the supermarket. However, no matter how good you - or I - think we are in the kitchen, we’re mere steak mortals when it comes to what’s cooked up at Miller and Carter.

My steak was everything I’d asked for and more. It was thicker than I’d imagined, but was lean and mean and just melted in the mouth. I was told to move away from the traditional dripping sauce the chain is known for, and my usual ‘go to’ of peppercorn. Instead, I was told the red wine would work best with the steak - and what was in my glass. The waiter was not wrong, it was richly perfect.

My other two diners were similarly mmmmming their way through their stars of the show. This was a hit all-round.

We had every intention of going for pudding, but the ample helpings of ‘grape juice’ seemed to do the trick. Well, at least I think it did. I’m not going to lie, the ambiance, the buzz and the Dark Horse definitely warmed my thoughts as the night wore on, but not enough to skew my view of the venue and menu, which were both top drawer.

If you haven’t been here, what is wrong with you? Get down, try it out for yourself - and even without the copious amounts of wine, I’m sure you too will walk away with warmth in your heart and your head for Miller and Carter.

I’m already working out when my next ‘occasion’ to book up will be. Is Monday excuse enough?

The key details - revamp, new menu & where to book

Miller & Carter Newcastle reopened its doors to guests on Friday 15th March following a major transformation.

Boasting a warm, modern new look, the renovation has seen the steakhouse undergo a complete transformation.

At Miller & Carter Newcastle, guests can enjoy the same steak dishes they know and love in renovated surroundings with modern and sophisticated interiors giving the restaurant a new lease of life.

The new look Miller & Carter Newcastle seats 164 people in a mix of bar and restaurant covers, with an additional mezzanine seating area.

Awarded with the ‘The Masters of Steak’ award from the prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs, the beef is truly a labour of love. Visitors to the new look Miller & Carter Newcastle can enjoy prime 30 day aged British & Irish steak dishes all carefully butchered and cooked to perfection.

The guests at Miller & Carter Newcastle can expect the very best when visiting the restaurant with 14 fantastic steak cuts to choose from including a Cote de Boeuf 28oz sharing steak, T-bone 20oz and the Black Angus Sirloin 8oz, with of course the signature ‘steak experience’ on every plate served.

What’s more, there are plenty of other delicious dishes for guests to enjoy from the Grilled Salmon Fillet and Spicy Buffalo Wings to the Miller’s Steakhouse Dirty Burger and the signature Pan-Roasted Lamb Rump. There are also vegetarian options available including the Spinach and Camembert Pithivier or the Plant-Based Burger. Guests can also complement their meal with an array of expertly mixed refreshing cocktails and mouth-watering desserts.

Commenting on the steakhouse’s new look, General Manager Tony Arnold, said: “The team and I are incredibly proud of the new look, and we’re thrilled to welcome everyone to experience the refurbished Miller & Carter Newcastle.

“Whether you’re a steak expert or someone who is looking to try something new, we hope to see you soon. Our whole team is obsessed with steak, and we are always looking to recruit people who share our love for excellent quality steaks.”

To reserve a table at the new look Miller & Carter Newcastle visit: https://www.millerandcarter.co.uk/restaurants/north-east/millerandcarternewcastle#/