The Popeseye

Welcome to Highgate, Popeseye. What a great addition to Highgate/​Archway food scene you are.
As Archway locals we in our household are lucky to have myriad of eateries to choose from at all hours of the day and night, so the fact that we have ventured to Popeseye twice in a month after we found out about its relatively new opening should speak volumes in itself.
It is just a perfect addition to the neighbourhood — right on the main road, easily accessible from the tube but quiet, and unlike many quick grab and go eateries in the area, genuinely a lovely place to sit down, even if it should be for a full nice evening or say, a date. All that for nonprohibitive prices for a steakhouse, and we have a winner.
Atmosphere is really lovely and cozy: what really serves this space right is that it is partitioned into two parts — so even if it is full, you retain quite an intimate atmosphere (that being said, on Tuesday’s jazz and steak nights, when all the visitors tend to gather in the back area around the band, don’t be discouraged by the seemingly empty front part which you get to see from the front windows are you are walking by!).
But let’s be real, atmosphere and location is nice, but steakhouses are about meat, meat, meat! Popeseye has not dissapointed me on this front. The five weeks hung grass-​fed beef steaks are very flavoursome and juicy. The cuts are generous and the steaks are finished just right. So far I’ve tried a sirloin and their ‘Jazz and Steak Tuesdays’ special of 6oz rump and they were both exactly as should be. All steaks come with a generous side of fries and a big selection of sauces for the table (standard and dijon mustard, hollandaise, ketchup, horseradish, etc.). The Tuesday special for £15 includes the 6oz steak, fries, sauces, and one small glass of wine — definitely a good deal. (NB for the jazz lovers — from what I’ve seen, the musicians have been quite liberal with their interpretation of jazz, but hey — this is not a jazz bar and they were still good musicians and on tune, so I don’t see a reason to put my judgmental hat on).
Everyone was too full to sample the extensive whiskey and desert menu, but look — if you are smart and unlike us, don’t order the phenomenally cheesy, home meals memories inducing mac and cheesy for the table, maybe you can give that a shot :).
Both times service was knowledgeable about their meat, pleasant and efficient. I left as a happy meateater and I will be back.