Black Iron
Sited within stunningly renovated Winstanley House Hotel in the centre of Braunstone Park, Black Iron offers first-rate traditional British dining.
With the feel of a smart country house hotel, the restaurant provides a menu centred on top-notch steaks from Onley Grounds Farm near Rugby, cooked on a charcoal grill. It’s worth noting that the beef-dripping fries they come with are sensational! Other main courses from the winter menu are hearty and comforting such as steak-and-ale pudding, braised beef cheeks or lamb rump with faggot and fresh peas. But there is also delicacy on show in starters such as textures of beetroot with honey and hazelnuts.
There’s an extensive wine list with plenty of powerful reds to match those steaks. The impressive breakfast and brunch menu (offering the likes of full English, eggs benedict, steak and rosti) is served all week, along with traditional roasts on Sunday and full afternoon tea.
Launched in October 2017, Winstanley House exudes an air of class and will surely soon become well known to Leicester folk attending weddings, parties and other events for up to 400 people. Black Iron, too, is set to become a familiar fixture for family get-togethers, working breakfasts, romantic dinners and any event seeking a relaxed dining experience with a bit of old-school sophistication.
By Tim Burke, Leicestershire editor
Photos: Black Iron Facebook page and website
This was our first visit, on a lunchtime service. We were offered express lunch menus only, although on request, we were given another which we could also have chosen from.The specials board was not pointed out to us. On arrival, we were rather rushed through by eager staff from reception to bar then immediately into dining area. Cloakrooms were not mentioned and I hung my coat on the back of my chair, as did other diners. We both enjoyed excellent ribeye steaks and chips with salad and good marrow sauce. The Black Iron beer was very tasty. It was a cold day, and any heat in the room did little to warm us up. Disappointed with the decor in the dining area which did not live up to the buildings exterior appeal. Not a cosy room.