Woman 'almost faints' at price of Tesco's new range but then 'read the small print'

Loyalty cards are a consumer's favourite when saving that extra bit of cash on their weekly shop. With grocery costs mounting as the pinch of inflation is felt, the apprehension over the final tally at the checkout can be quite stressful.

Therefore, snagging bargains has become critical to keeping expenditures in check. The Tesco Clubcard programme has emerged as a widely-embraced strategy for shoppers seeking to shave pennies off the total at the till, either at larger Tesco superstores or the conveniently located Tesco Express branches.

With discounts aplenty on a range of items - including fresh and frozen groceries, alcoholic beverages, snacks, store cupboard essentials, bakery goods, homeware, international cuisine, and health and beauty products - all one needs to do is spot the yellow label offers throughout the shop floor.

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On top of that, each pound spent translates into a Clubcard point, with every 100 points accruing into a £1 voucher redeemable on future purchases. Now, shoppers have been given the chance to get their hands on Tesco's Finest Steakhouse range, which aims to create dine-in options that are as good if not better than going out to a restaurant.

Mirror reporter Emma Gill put it to the test to see if it delivers on its promise and its price. She said: "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 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."

Describing the dish her husband cooked up, she said: "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."

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