London steakhouse ‘Affordable’ confirms opening date for new Manchester restaurant

A new ‘affordable’ steakhouse has confirmed the launch date for its Manchester site. Flat Iron, a steakhouse chain founded in London, is to open its doors on Deansgate next month.

It will open on July 3 in the former Royal London Friendly Society, a Grade II listed building designed by Charles Heathcote and was first opened to the public in 1908. Most recently, the building was his home.specialist outdoor clothing brand Blacks.

The chain is known for it Signature “Flat Iron” steak, taken from the often overlooked featherblade. It also serves sides including corned beef chips, creamed spinach, truffle macaroni cheese and crispy bone marrow garlic mash.

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Founded by Charlie Carroll in 2012, the restaurant began life as a pop-up above an East London pub. The chain now spans 13 locations in London and in 2023 expanded to sites in Cambridge and Leeds.

Working closely with British farmer Charles Ashbridge, Charlie and beef boss Fred Smith have created their own herd of Flat Iron cattle in Thirsk, Yorkshire, where they focus on ‘reviving and perfecting’ rare and native breeds.

Prices will range from £14 for a flat iron steak, with a side of fries available at an additional £4. Cheeseburgers will set customers back around £13, while a ‘wagyu steak of the day’ will start at £22 and there will be a special Scottish cut exclusive to Manchester.

As well as his custom charcoal grill, which will be used for all beef specials, the restaurant will offer a clean selection of wines to complement the steaks. This will include Flat Iron’s own Malbec, specially blended with grapes grown in the Limoux area of ​​Languedoc in southern France.

Alongside the wine list will be a selection of draft beers and signature cocktails from Flat Iron, including the new Tony’s Margarita and Sherbert Bellini.

The interiors of the two-storey restaurant have been remodeled by Macaulay Sinclair Architects with the aim of displaying as much of the original building as possible. The existing plaster and cornices were exposed and combined with the original wooden floor, while the original glazed brick walls were exposed, the riveted steel columns were revealed and the original parquet was restored.

Speaking about the opening, Flat Iron’s Head of Beef Fred Smith said: “This restaurant has been a long time coming! But you know what, it was all worth it – Covid, a Grade II listed building, leaking pipes – the building is beautiful, the barbecue is ready and we can’t wait to open the doors.”

Flat Iron will open in Manchester on July 3, 2024. Flat Iron Manchester, 200 Deansgate, Manchester.