10 hours Ago
With a gold and black interior, marble tables and showstopping presentation – Bolton’s new high-end steakhouse has arrived with flair. And I took a first look. EATMEAT opened its doors on 129 Bradshawgate yesterday (December 18) – with an extensive menu of steaks imported from Uruguay, Argentina and Japan.
Priced from £20 to over £130 for premium wagyu. The restaurant's menu is strictly halal, from chicken wings to bao buns. And has mocktails served with high drama - and plenty of dry ice.
Before, Boltonians had to trek to EATMEAT’s Manchester location for halal steak. And Abdullah Sajid, the restaurant’s proprietor, wanted to bring the experience closer to home. Abdullah said: “There’s a high Muslim population in Bolton.
“A lot of them would come to our Manchester restaurant. “The further north you go, the less high-end halal steak restaurants there are. “People from Glasgow come here and say there aren’t places like this there.
“We import our meat from all over – Australia, America, Japan. “And make sure it’s halal. “By verifying licenses locally and cutting the meat ourselves.
(Image: Newsquest) “I’m an engineer by profession, but I like food. I’ve been in the restaurant business for 10 years. “I apply those principles to it, continuation, consistency.
“Chefs think it’s an art, but I think it’s a science.” Abdullah designed the 200-seat restaurant. With gold “Islamic geometrical designs” on the ceiling and marble tables.
He also owns House of Chaii, right next to EATMEAT. Like that teahouse, EATMEAT has plenty of ‘ Instagrammable ’ booths and mirrors. And it’s been long-awaited.
Adam Ahmad, Abdullah’s son and the restaurant’s manager, said: “It took a long time to open – about three years. “We got the site during coronavirus, so one year got lost. Abdullah Sajid (Image: Public) “A customer in Manchester had been telling us to come to Bolton for a long time.
“During the pandemic, we operated a drive-through that was quite successful. “From the back of that we developed this restaurant. “EATMEAT is a family business.
Steaks are what we like personally, we’re big meat eaters. “And it works well, there's a big demand for it.” Yesterday, stylish millennials packed out the backlit benches.
Some coming all the way from Manchester. I piled into a velvet chair and waited for my order. And my ‘Money Heist’ cocktail rolled in – to the tune of ‘Bella Ciao’.
A man in a mask and orange jumpsuit cracked a safe. And brought it out, on a plate with plumes of smoke. It was sweet and fun to drink.
Half passion fruit, half fizzy orange, with a big ball of ice on top. Behind the mask, was Abdullah’s son Adam. 'Money Heist' mocktail (Image: Newsquest) Abdullah said: “My sons, Adam and Ayaz, come up with the performances and the drama.
“I want people to experience a vibe here and enjoy live cooking. “If you’re someone who likes nightlife, but aren’t allowed to go to a club, you could enjoy a meal here. “We keep you entertained.
” I was brought a steamer basket with three bao buns packed with brisket and pomegranate seeds. Soft and spiced with cumin, it was filling and tasty. A generous portion at £10, and better to share.
(Image: Newsquest) Next was the Argentinian fillet steak – rolled out in a suitcase. A waiter popped open the lid. It came out in a haze of dry ice smoke.
(Image: Newsquest) Like all of EATMEAT’s steaks, it was marinated in homes " target="_blank">house spices. And had chimichurri– an Argentinian chili and herb sauce – on top. The waiter cut and seared it on a hot stone.
Tender, herby and well-spiced throughout, it was great. And a medium portion at £34. But, a huge plate of chips awaited me to the side.
Which I could not overcome. To my right, some of Bolton’s best-known characters were also enjoying steak. Bolton champion kickboxer Sandy Holt ate a meal with friends.
Sandy said: “We first came to House of Chaii and the owners mentioned about this place. They've been trying to open it for a long time. “And we've been excited to come here and sample the food.
“It's phenomenal, absolutely brilliant. “Bolton is lacking proper restaurants not just your average McDonald's or KFC. “This place caters for special nights out.
Sandy Holt (Image: Newsquest) “Bolton is the biggest town in England and there are people having to travel to Manchester, Bury and Horwich for nice restaurants. “And spending more money travelling out than staying here. “We didn’t have anything like this before.
“If there is more choice, and more nice restaurants in the town centre, people would spend more time there.”.
