A high end restaurant famed for trying to take on Salt Bae has hit out at ‘scumbag’ thieves after it was raided for more £5,000 worth of luxury meat, as police arrest a woman in connection.
Relentless Steak and Lobster House accused the Turkish chef of ‘taking the mick’ when it launched a gold covered steak three years ago for £500 less than the internet phenomenon’s Knightsbridge version.
But now the restaurant has taken to social media itself to try to recover the haul of Tomahawk steaks that have been plundered from its site in the Port Solent area of Portsmouth, Hants.
The meat – which is on the menu for £55 – was stolen between 11pm on Thursday night and 5am on Friday.
It led to the eatery – owned by chef Scott Matthews – making an urgent appeal to the public for help with the steak supposed to be for Christmas office parties and a christening.
Relentless Steak and Lobster House made a social media post following the theft after it was raided for more than £5,000 worth of luxury meat
The 24 carat tomahawks served at the Relentless Steak and Lobster House in Portsmouth, Hants in 2021
The high end restaurant, Relentless, famed for trying to take on Salt Bae, has hit out at the ‘scumbag’ thieves
The Facebook post from Relentless said: ‘Urgent, we need you. We were broken into and over £5,000 worth of meat has been stolen. Share now to make it too hot to sell on.
‘These are our Tomahawks and you can’t buy them anywhere, so if you see them, you know it’s Relentless stock. This was our weekends and Christmas parties stock that has been stolen and pre-ready for office parties in November as well as a christening booked in.’
In a later update, the restaurant posted: ‘Our Port Solent branch is open And still trading we won’t let scum bags kill the brand!!
Big massive thank you to our suppliers for quickly responding to emergency and suppling the unit so quickly with meat to keep us trading.’
Following the appeal, Hampshire police arrested a 44 year old woman on suspicion of burglary who has since been released while the investigation continues.
However, the incident has sparked an online row between the restaurant and locals after it was suggested the theft must have been an ‘inside job’.
Portsmouth restaurateur George Madgwick replied to the post: ‘Scott this HAS to be an inside job mate. Look from within. No normal customer would ever know or expect you to stock this value of stock. Absolutely no one within the trade would expect it either.
‘As you know I own restaurant but I never stock more than £500 quid of meat so I wouldn’t expect others to. Which means there is only one possible outcome, an inside job, someone who works within the business.
‘Equally Port Solent has cameras everywhere and overnight security meaning whoever it was must be aware of routes in and out etc etc.
As horrible as it is to say look within. They may have got a friend to do it etc. Its the only logical answer.’
Mr Matthews replied: ‘We’ve noticed some hurtful comments online regarding the recent incident involving stolen meat.
In 2021 the restaurant launched 24 carat gold tomahawks, an on the bone rib, served with two sauces, sides and triple cooked truffle French fries for £120
The incident has sparked an online row between the restaurant and locals after it was suggested the theft must have been an ‘inside job’
‘As the owner of this small independent business, I tend to brush off these remarks, but it’s disheartening for our dedicated team to read them especially as we one big family.
‘I have deep trust in all my staff, with whom I work closely every day.
‘It’s disheartening for an independent business like ours to face such challenges, especially in these uncertain times. I believe we will overcome this with the unwavering support of our loyal guests and the local community.
‘The police have made arrests related to these recent issues, which brings us some hope.’
A police spokesperson said: ‘We are investigating a report of frozen meat being stolen sometime between 11pm on Thursday 24 October and 5am the following morning.
‘As part of our enquiries, we have arrested a 44-year-old woman from Portsmouth on suspicion of burglary. She has been released under investigation while our enquiries continue.’
Anyone with information can call Relentless on 023 9232 4812 or call police on 101 with reference 22410251054.
Relentless Steak & Lobster boasts it is ‘where exceptional quality meets unbeatable freshness. With our very own fishing boats bringing in fresh lobsters and a company-owned farm that ensures the finest, ethically raised steak, no one can match our quality steaks.’
In 2021 it launched 24 carat gold tomahawks, an on the bone rib, served with two sauces, sides and triple cooked truffle French fries for £120.
It followed Salt Bae – whose real name is Nusret Gökçe – opening a new joint called Nusr-Et in Knightsbridge, London with the steak costing a whopping £630.
At the time Mr Matthews said: ‘We saw Salt Bae’s restaurant and we thought they’re taking the mick there. For him, that’s got to be about £500 profit in each steak.’
