Miller & Carter Newcastle

You're here for the steak, obviously, but what sets this place apart is how seriously they take the whole experience without making you feel like you need a second mortgage. The servers know their cuts and cooking temps, and they'll happily talk you through the dry-aging process if you're interested. The dining room strikes that tricky balance between special occasion and somewhere you could bring your parents without wincing at the bill. Yes, it's a chain, but the kitchen consistently delivers properly cooked beef that puts most independents to shame. The côte de boeuf for two is particularly good if you're celebrating something, though the ribeye is where they really show off.