It's not very common for a restaurant to open and survive for 20 years in today's age, let alone become an international institution and culinary specialist, but Hawksmoor has achieved this, and within minutes of arriving through its doors, it's easy to see why.
I was invited to the Hawksmoor's Deansgate restaurant to mark the 20th anniversary of opening, which is being celebrated with a special menu that recognises the dishes and drinks "that helped make Hawksmoor, Hawksmoor."
My girlfriend and I are offered a seat at the bar, where we are invited to try an expertly made cocktail. I elected for the fruity and vibrant Ultimate 'Pisco' Sour, which feels appropriate in the warm weather, while my partner enjoys a zingy gimlet.
We are then shown to our table in the main dining room.
Hawksmoor's Deansgate location is based in a former Victorian courthouse and the interior pays homage to the building's past, with reclaimed materials from the era including the parquet flooring and wood panelling.
Beginning with our starters, I go for the old spot belly ribs, while my partner chooses the charcoal-roast scallops.
The pork ribs are delicious - tender meat that melts in your mouth covered in a warm, sticky glaze. The rich meat is contrasted perfectly by a sharp, crunchy slaw that cuts through the meat.
Meanwhile, the scallops are also tender, accompanied by buttery breadcrumbs that are garlicky in the best way.
On a Thursday evening in July, the atmosphere in Hawksmoor is lively, with a range of customers dining together from friends to colleagues to couples, all enjoying the famous restaurant's experience.
Onto the mains, and the 20th anniversary menu celebrates a specific cut of meat - the ribeye.
A 300g cut for each of us cooked to medium rare, these steaks are juicy and tender, with the charcoal flavour from the grill coming through. It's everything you want when you order a steak.
Hawksmoor excels in many areas as a steakhouse, and one of those areas is most certainly the sides. We get crispy, flavourful chips cooked in beef drippings along with warm and luscious cream spinach.
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There are no shortage of sauces to choose, and we go for three - classic peppercorn, Cornish Blue hollandaise and anchovy hollandaise.
The peppercorn is warming and luxurious, while the rich Cornish Blue hollandaise immediately gives you the sharp and delicious taste of blue cheese.
The anchovy hollandaise has a salty umami flavour which gently comes through and is unlike a sauce I've had before.
Throughout the evening, we are looked after by our friendly waiter Peter Gallagher, who is the epitome of 'service with a smile.'
As he shares anecdotes and takes us through the menu, Peter's passion is on display as it is clear he has great enthusiasm for the food and drinks that are being served up.
While the birthday cake and sticky toffee pudding dessert options sound enticing, our full stomachs see us choose the salted caramel rolos, which once saw Hawksmoor get in a legal spat with Nestle over.
These chocolatey drops are delightful, with luxurious and crisp dark chocolate covering delicious salted caramel and making for the perfect sweet treat and end on.
Hawksmoor has established itself as one of the UK's best-known restaurants over the years by finding the perfect balance of getting the classics right while not being afraid to push the boundaries.
It remains one of the best places for a steak in the country, but excels in every other department, both inside and outside of the kitchen.
The next 20 years will undoubtedly be as exciting as the first 20.
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