Michael’s Steak & Seafood Bar

I’d spotted the arrival Michael’s Steak and Seafood Bar on Jeffrey Street, taking over from the previous Mussel & Steak Bar, and thought very little about it. Then someone pointed out that the Michael of the name was in fact Michael Neave. My interest levels rose exponentially. With the arrival of Seafood Week, which starts today and runs until the 16th, in mind, I popped along to give it a try.

With cool whites and blue-greens to the fore, the interior has a smart feel to it and seems a good fit for a seafood place. On a fairly quiet night, I did my duty and took up station at one of the window tables where I could look all enticing while dropping crabmeat down my www.tieclub.co.uk tie.

The friendly waitress brought the menu and wine list. Under normal circumstances, I probably would have ordered in a way that gave me an illustration of both their steak and seafood options, but with it being Seafood Week I stuck solely to the fruits of the sea.

I opened with a smoked haddock and saffron potato terrine then followed with their warm seafood platter. I added a glass of their house white wine to accompany things.

The starter arrived and looked plenty bonnie enough. The centrepiece terrine was accompanied by various sauce dots, radish slices on top of tartare sauce and a couple of toast triangles. It proved very tasty eating with the seasoning spot on. There was quite a lot going on on the plate but it just about came together into a coherent and well-balanced whole.

The seafood platter was to a similarly high standard. It comprised a grilled oyster, crevettes, crab claws, mussels, and queenie scallops served with samphire and a rich, creamy sauce. While there wasn’t an absolute highlight item to really inject a winning wow factor, everything was delivered to a really pleasing level.

I rounded things out with a good little cheese selection and decent espresso. This capped a very positive dining experience.

So overall, Michael’s is doing fine work. I must come back to give their meaty selection a try as it looked like good things were lurking on the menu. I’d recommend you visit and there’s no time like the present, to get in the Seafood Week spirit.

Scores
Blythe scores Michael’s
4/5 for food
4/5 for presentation
4/5 for setting
4/5 for service
giving an overall 16/20

I ate: smoked haddock terrine, seafood platter

I drank: white wine, water

I wore: grey and blue

Total bill: £38.55