Top Fives: Steakhouses

Fewer of us than ever are eating red meat: mad cows, foot and mouth, vegetarianism - they've all dented the consumption. But, for carnivores, there's nothing more gorgeous than a hunk of properly hung, smokily charred, sympathetically reared beef. Here's where to find it.

1. Popeseye Steak House

From a tiny kitchen in the corner comes a succession of splendid carnivorous slabs: the eponymous popeseye (rump), sirloin or fillet. No starters, no frills. Mmmm.
108 Blythe Road W14. Tel: 020 7610 4578. Tube: Hammersmith

2. Smiths of Smithfield

Brave the seething suit hell below and head for the top floor for a chunk of stunning, organic meat. By the time you've read your steak's provenance, you'll think you've been personally introduced to the cow. Mega-pricey.
67-77 Charterhouse Street EC1. Tel: 020 7251 7950. Tube: Farringdon

3. The Big Easy

Forget any preconceptions caused by the tacky, down-home shack theming, the steaks here are serious: massive, juicy, tender - designed for mammoth American appetites. The sort of place to say: 'cut a slab off its back and I'll ride the rest home.'
332-334 Kings Road SW3. Tel: 020 7352 4071. Tube: Sloane Square

4. Black and Blue

Flaming torches and the aroma of singed flesh let you know exactly what you're in for: wallet-friendly, first-rate steaks and hamburgers. No bookings. 215 Kensington Church Street W8. Tel: 020 7727 0004. Tube: Notting Hill Gate

5. El Gaucho

In summer, there's no better destination for the meat-eater than the outdoor tables in this Chelsea Farmers Market hut. Head straight for the vertiginously thick Argentinian steaks, lovingly char-grilled.
Chelsea Farmers Market, 125 Sydney Street SW3. Tel: 020 7376 8514. Tube: Sloane Square