Tesco has launched a new Finest Steakhouse range, with the aim of creating dine-in options that are as good if not better than going out to a restaurant. We put it to the test to see if it delivers on its promise and its price…
When it comes to the weekly food shop, I’m a total sucker for a Tesco Clubcard price. I’m aware that some folks aren’t fans of supermarkets offering loyalty cards – and they’re not always swayed by the savings – but I like to believe I can spot a bargain when I see one.
That’s why I was so shocked by the prices when I went in search of its new Finest Steakhouse range and couldn’t quite fathom why other shoppers were so keenly grabbing products from the range. £43 for a fillet steak, £34 for a sirloin and £23 for a rump. Surely not. Well, it appears the retailer has opted for the ‘per kg’ pricing for this lot, which nearly gave me a heart attack when I was invited to try the new products.
It’s clearly done that because the weights vary slightly – so one fillet set me back £11.39 and the other £11.95 – significantly less than the shelf tag would imply. And these are no ordinary steaks. They’re thick cut Aberdeen Angus prime cut fillet steaks and I can honestly say that when paired with some of the other items from this new range, including Three Cheese and Chive Cauliflower Cheese, Triple Cooked Chips and ‘warm and creamy’ Peppercorn Sauce, it felt better than what you find at restaurants.
My husband happens to be a chef, which admittedly aids in assembling a lovely meal, but it all begins with the ingredients and these are indeed top-notch. The steaks weren’t the only hit. The kids were big fans of the Hickory Smoked Pork Sausages, priced at £3, which were seasoned with herbs and spices, while we couldn’t resist the Smoky Beef Ribs with Truffle and Mustard Sauce, costing £10.
The meat was tender, easily falling off the bone, and the combination of the dry paprika rub, the sauce, and the sticky balsamic glaze was simply perfect. However, the standout dish for us was the slow cooked Osso Buco with Bone Marrow Gravy and Gremolata Crumb, also available for £10.
It’s not a dish I’d typically order in a restaurant, but the juicy meat combined with the gravy, infused with Cabernet Sauvignon and brown Dorset ale, was as ‘melt in the mouth tender’ as it claimed to be and lived up to its description as a ‘striking centrepiece for two’. Accompanied by vegetables and some Finest Rarebit Dauphinoise Potatoes, again flavoured with that Dorset ale, it was simply scrumptious. The range includes restaurant-quality steaks, main courses, sides, sauces and butters, all designed to ‘bring the experience of a luxury steakhouse home’. The packaging even provides chef’s tips, wine pairings, meat thermometer cooking instructions and more.
As dining out becomes more of a luxury due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, it’s reported that shoppers are treating themselves at home more often and are more willing to splurge on premium products. This Finest Steakhouse range is one that’s definitely worth splashing out on – and definitely worth sampling while it’s still on offer with the Clubcard.
