So you’ve had a heady day in the shopping Mecca that is Westfield. The bright lights, eager shopping assistants and shiny surfaces have whipped you into a state of frenzy. Now, your feet are aching, your shoulders are dislocating from shopping bags and your stomach growls. One last stop before facing Shepherd’s Bush station? Well, if you insist. 

 

The Meat Co. is conveniently placed at the end (or beginning?) of Westfield’s foodie boulevard, closest to the Shepherd’s Bush station. It’s hard to miss, with it’s impressive size, red flags and warm, inviting glow. After a friendly welcome, we are led into the best lift I have ever been in. It would give Charlie’s Great Glass Elevator a run for it’s money. (Ed: legit)

 

The environment created upstairs is quite a triumph – it is an expansive space, yet once seated, I felt our table was cosy and intimate. The decor is unfussy, stylish and definitely feels true to the company’s African genes.

The menu deserves a good pouring over – preferably once the wine has been, uh, poured. I loved the range of world wines available, and how the menu was distinctly divided to show these. We were guided by our very friendly waiter, who gave us fantastic recommendations on two deliciously light and fruity red wines, one from Italy and one from South Africa. Considering the quality, these were very inexpensive, and I would consider returning just to sample more of their wine range.

 

 

Boerewors and Beef Ribs. Boerewors are effectively the South African take on the cumberland, just thinner and denser. The curly sausage sat proudly on a far more dainty bed of mash, surrounded by a moat of plate-licking tomato sauce. The kind of grub that tastes like what my mum might serve (if I closed my eyes).

 

The real winner here was the ribs. 3, generously sized beef ribs, glistening with a sweet, smoky, bottle-it-and-ship-it-to-me-now sauce. I defy you not to lick the bone clean. 

 

After recovering, it was time to face the star of the show. As tempting as the skewered options were (which many other lucky diners seemed to opt for) it seemed a sin not to go for the steak. For the record, this place serves Wagyu beef. Not even my beloved Hawksmoor can claim that feat. We ended up too spoilt for choice and shared a steak platter – 4 of your choice cuts, served with a side salad and sauces. Oh boy. Don’t ask me to pick a favourite!

 

The Four Horsemen (all the British choice cuts): Fillet, Rib-Eye, New Yorker and Rump. The rump may have been the tenderest cows behind I’ve ever sunk my teeth into, so that slightly edged it to top rank. But all were incredible, flavoursome (I think they use a special glaze – which I can only assume is made from angel tears and unicorn drippings). 

 

It doesn’t stop there. The sauces – blue cheese and VODKA? Who knew. A match made in flavour heaven. I was also pleasantly surprised that the greek salad would have been a fine meal in itself – frivolous amounts of feta and mixed olives were a refreshing palate cleanser between bites of glorious bovine. After the candles on our warming plate had stopped being effective, and every bite forced into us, we even managed a dessert…

 

An enthusiastic recommendation from our waiter led to a sweet, sticky sponge topped with delicately spiced ice cream being placed before us. It turned out to be Malva Pudding which is a classic Cape Dutch dessert (quite like sticky toffee pudding) but made with apricot jam. Leave room for this. Even if you don’t have room, force it down. #YOLO. 

 

 

If you couldn’t tell, I quite liked the Meat Co. If you are in Westfield and shopping has left you feeling like a vulture in the Serengeti, do make a stop here before you roll home. Heck, even if you aren’t going shopping – this is worth the trip.