Warrington Guardian reviews Pendergast's Steakhouse

A fortnight ago, we gave you the first look inside the modern restaurant, which has been designed with help from local artists.

Now, we've had our chance to try the very best of what's on offer at Pendergast's, off Cairo Street, and the verdict is in.

Upon arrival, we were given drinks at the bar - which features a number of unique offerings, with a drinks menu that has been created exclusively by the restaurant, with the bar manager coming up with new additions already.

We were then ushered into the restaurant's private dining room, which was an intimate setting that looked incredible, but did not photograph very well - mood lighting in the room, as well as a dining table that was lit from underneath, created a high-end ambience, though provided poor lighting for photographs.

The private dining room is an intimate affair (Image: Newsquest)

Hospitality staff were incredibly attentive, with glasses remaining topped up throughout the evening with a choice of either the house red or white wines.

We chose the slow braised beef croquettes with beer cheese dip to start, alongside the salt and pepper steak strips - both were unlike anything I've ever tried before; they were incredibly high-quality, and the beer cheese dip was unique.

Both of the starters proved to be good choices, and the portions are not meagre - which is the case at some other high-end restaurants.

The starters gave a promising hint of the quality that was yet to come (Image: Newsquest)

The main course that we were served was the tomahawk steak sharer, which came accompanied by triple-cooked chips, greens, and peppercorn sauce.

Addressing the elephant in the room is the price; I had never had tomahawk steak before visiting Pendergast's, and there is a reason for that - Pendergast's tomahawk steak sharer costs £79.95.

This is not a meal that you will be buying every week.

However, if you do fork out for the tomahawk, you will not be disappointed.

I'm possibly slightly biased in this review, given that I am not the world's biggest fan of steak - which makes it more impressive when I say that the main course was not just the best steak I have ever been served, but one of the best meals I have ever eaten.

The bottom line is this: am I going to go out and pay nearly £80 for a very good steak? No, because I'm not a steak fanatic.

But if you do choose this sharer, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed.

The meat was cooked to perfection, and any hint of fat on the cut was melt-in-the-mouth; the chips were phenomenal, and the peppercorn sauce was a high-quality classic accompaniment.

The meat was cooked to perfection, and served with excellent accompaniments (Image: Newsquest)

Following our main course being cleared away, the restaurant's hospitality executives talked us through the cocktail menu that has been created exclusively by the managers and shareholders of the site.

With one cocktail based around a traditional macaron, and another being a twist on the classic Old Fashioned, there's a lot to like about the cocktail menu - the most unique drink being the Zen Garden, however.

Made using melonade, alongside a number of different flavours, the Zen Garden is incredibly refreshing - but it is the accompanying elements that make this cocktail so impressive.

The Zen Garden is served on a bed of edible chocolate 'sand' that can have patterns made in it using the small brush provided; there are also chocolate pebbles, as well as faux plants on the serving board, too.

It simply was the most unique-looking cocktail I have ever seen.

Each of the cocktails at Pendergast's is priced at £13, which might be considered steep by some, but they are a once-in-a-while treat.

The cocktail is incredibly unique (Image: Newsquest)

Moving onto the desserts that were served up, and what a treat they were.

We ordered the summer berry tiramisu, as well as the dark chocolate and whiskey tarte, and we were not disappointed.

The tart was incredibly rich, and the portion size - again - was not to be sniffed at.

The desserts were a lovely way to round off the meal (Image: Newsquest)

We left the restaurant feeling full, but not bursting at the seams and uncomfortable, which can often ruin a nice evening out.

The overall pricing of non-sharing items on the menu is reasonable, and par for the course at a good quality steakhouse.

Our verdict? Pendergast's is a welcome addition to the Warrington nighttime economy, and we'd recommend you give it a try.

Pendergast's can be found at 15 Cairo Street.