A favourite steak out

MARTIN SHAW RETURNS TO MILLER & CARTER TO FIND HE HAS LOST NONE OF HIS APPETITE FOR ITS BEEF ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S KEENLY PRICED

I’LL do my best not to say anything controversial.

The Examiner, you see, has a bit of ‘previous’ with the Miller & Carter Steakhouse in Mirfield.

When we covered the opening on April Fool’s Day in 2016 we reported how the locals weren’t happy that their historic Three Nuns was to be no more.

The pub and restaurant’s new owners, Mitchells & Butlers, dropped the traditional in favour of the modern, and some didn’t like it.

I covered the opening back in 2016 and was videoed tucking into a monster 30oz Tomahawk steak. My ‘fans’ have never let me forget it.

Then along came the first review of the new venue and my colleague Nick Lavigueur managed to whip up a social media storm.

He referred to the launch of Miller & Carter as the best thing to happen to North Kirklees since sliced bread.

For this misdemeanour he was branded a “clown”. A bit harsh even by the standards of social media.

We generally wait at least two years before going back to review a restaurant so now, just ahead of its third anniversary, its time was up.

The controversy over the name has faded away and the reputation of Miller & Carter has risen.

This place is even been frequented by Premier League footballers. Well from Huddersfield Town at least.

I didn’t spot any current stars when we were there, however there was one Town legend tucking in – centre-back Roy Ellam, who played at Leeds Road in the 1960s and 70s.

The Three Nuns – so named because it was supposedly taken over by three nuns in the 16th century – was reputedly haunted.

There were some spooky goingson reported when renovations took place.

The three nuns, or whichever restless spirits inhabited the place, weren’t keen on change so I was surprised to see an old portrait of the three nuns, which sat above the fireplace, appeared to have been replaced by a mirror.

That’s a shame as this place reeks of history and has links to the reputed grave of Robin Hood which is close by on the Kirklees estate.

But let’s set aside the history and talk about the present. Miller & Carter is an upmarket restaurant specialising in steak and it’s become a destination for diners from further afield.

My partner Sian and I have been here several times and the atmosphere is always friendly and relaxed and the staff are super and the service is great.

The prices are top-end but there are special deals – like the Thursday Date Night and the three set courses on a Sunday – which make it affordable for more than just a special occasion.

The steak is always a triumph and the ringing of the bell next to the open kitchen chimes out frequent compliments to the chefs.

Booking is advised, which is really easy online, as it’s always busy.

We opted for the three-course £24.95-a-head Sunday menu as it saves you a few quid and has a good choice of starters, mains and desserts.

I started with the Wild Atlantic Scallops (£2 supplement). The scallops, a taste of the sea, were served with a delicious lobster Prosecco sauce topped with crispy pancetta and criss-crossed with straw fries. It was lovely and nicely presented.

Sian had the Baked Cheddar Mushrooms, tasty button mushrooms and a creamy cheddar and spinach sauce. Cheesy and warming.

For mains you can’t go to a steak house and not have steak. However Sian managed it. “We can’t both have steak,” said she, thinking of variety for the sake of the review.

“Of course we can,” said I. “You can have a different sauce.”

We agreed to differ, as you do, and went our separate ways. I had the 30-day aged Bistro Rump 8oz with the ‘mucky fat’ sauce – British beef dripping as it’s described on the menu.

Sian had the Buttermilk Chicken Experience, billed as the “ultimate” – a boneless, tender half-chicken. It came with a spicy corn and smoked cheese fritter and a poached egg.

Sian described it as a “posh Nando’s”. I’m not sure whether that’s a compliment or not.

With your steak comes a wedge of lettuce in a bowl and you choose what topping you have. It always seems a bit odd munching on the lettuce but my favourite dressing is Bacon and Honey Mustard. The mustard has a gentle bite.

My steak, cooked medium as recommended, was just ever so slightly pink, tender and full of flavour.

Sian, of course, regretted not tak- - ing my advice on the steak, but didn’t I tell her so?

For the dessert it was a no contest for me, the classic Sticky Toffee Pudding. It was soft and gooey and served with a lovely salted butterscotch sauce and vanilla bean ice cream. That hit the spot.

Sian’s Caramel Biscuit Vanilla Cheesecake served with a rich toffee sauce and fresh strawberries, blackberries and raspberries looked a million dollars.

The base seemed a bit thin and the cheesecake wasn’t as good as we remembered from our last visit when we had the sharing board. More is not always better perhaps.

None the less this was a great meal in a restaurant that ticks all the boxes. Don’t bother asking if we’ll be back!