Miller & Carter, but not as you know it! Food review as new lunch menu blows us away

Soup and a sandwich. Salad. Anything out the fridge on any given day. Lunch is rarely the star of the show when it comes to most people’s working day. In fact, it doesn’t often get much of an upgrade on a weekend either, with breakfast and tea taking the main stage.

One trip to Miller and Carter will change your thinking forever. No longer is lunch an afterthought, it’s the only thought at this place.

When NewcastleWorld were called along to try out the new lunch menu, I’ll admit we were a touch sceptical. Maybe, we too were stuck in a lunch malaise.

But wow, two hours one Friday afternoon, and now we’re converts. Give me steak and chips, all day, every day.

Not your usual Miller and Carter offering

Miller and Carter. You all know the drill. Lush steak, the tasty sides and sauce to die for. Bit pricey, though, especially for lunch, yeah? Not any more.

Having removed the steak premiums, which drove the price up previously, the chain is now offering a three-course lunch for less than 19 quid. You could barely match that value at Wetherspoons!

We started with a our very knowledgable server Scott (at the Gosforth Park branch), giving us the steak talk - the bit where you find out the men from the boys. No one in this day and age surely has their steak well done?

Thoroughly versed with talk of rump and rib, and everything in-between, myself and my fellow dinner - my lovely mam - went delving into the extensive menu for starters.

I went for baked cheddar mushrooms, served with cheese and spinach sauce and toasted bread, while across the table it was a sticky chipotle chicken bites offering with chilli jam. Both were absolutely top notch. The creamy, cheesy sauce was the perfect introduction to what was to come, with the chicken thigh bites succulent and spiced perfectly.

One thing I’d say - and this was a fault of our own, not the restaurant - we maybe went a bit big, a bit early. The starters were beautiful, but very filling for a midday feed, especially with two more courses - and a beer or two - to come.

For mains, I went rump. 7oz, medium. Be rude not to, eh? With that comes the traditional onion loaf, balsamic glaze tomato and a chunky chip upgrade from the fries. My dining partner for the day went for something a little different with the ‘ultimate’ half rack of ribs, served with smokey BBQ sauce, seasoned, skin-on-fries and ‘slaw.

The steak was its usual level of excellence. By now, if you don’t know you should, Miller & Carter do steak right. It’s what they’re known for. The ribs almost stole the show, though.

Ribs, at the best of times, can be a messy affair, often putting people off getting them. This was anything but. Falling off the bone, they could be eaten with knife and fork rather than slathered all over the chops, which is so often the case with the dish.

Eyes bigger than my belly

I’ll admit it, as is so often the case, my eyes are bigger than my belly. Encourged by our server, with the best of intentions, I must add, we went for a couple of additional sides. You don’t need them. The garlic mushrooms and mac & cheese were top class, for the record, but hardly needed, not with a sweet waiting in the wings.

For afters we decided to share a salted caramel profiteroles. It was light enough to add a final sweet flourish to what was a wonderful experience.

It’s not often I’d go three courses half way through the day - but at this value, it won’t be long before I’m back!

The lunch menu in full

Miller & Carter is helping guests get into the autumn mood by revamping its popular fixed-price lunch menu that is incredible value for money.

Running from Monday to Saturday* between 12-5pm during the week and 12-3pm on Saturday, guests can enjoy a taste of luxury with a two course lunch from £15.95* or a three course lunch from £18.95*.

Featuring four of the steakhouse’s popular starters, guests can choose from baked cheddar mushrooms, salt & pepper calamari, halloumi fries or sticky chipotle chicken.

For mains, Miller & Carter fans can expect the very best quality with the Rump 7oz 50-day aged Black Angus steak cut available accompanied by the classic and iconic onion loaf, balsamic-glazed tomato and a choice of seasoned fries or mixed salad, all included in the set price.

What’s more, there are plenty of other delicious dishes for guests to enjoy including prime steak burgers, fish & chips, chargrilled chicken, mac & cheese, plant-based burgers, half rack of barbecue ribs and much more. Plus, a ‘crown prince pumpkin warm winter salad’ to get you in the autumn spirit!

Complementing the mains is a selection of three desserts — salted caramel profiteroles, crème brûlée and apple & damson crumble as well as the choice of a mini dessert and hot drink.

“That’s why we have updated our popular fixed price lunch menu so our guests can enjoy the same dishes they know and love at an affordable price.”

Download the full set lunch menu here: https://www.millerandcarter.co.uk/daytimemenu#/

To make a booking at your local Miller & Carter, please visit: https://www.millerandcarter.co.uk/tablebooking#/