Best Place for Steak Frites in Paris
Jul 26th, 2011, 07:25 AM
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Best Place for Steak Frites in Paris
My husband and I are getting ready for a vacation in Greece and Paris, and he loves his steak. Can anyone tell me the best restaurant where they have had Steak Frites in Paris. Thanks ahead of time!
Jul 26th, 2011, 09:20 AM
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I don't think that's possible because that it served in about every other restaurant, so there are hundreds of places, I'm sure that do a perfectly good job with it. And there is a matter of taste, also. I don't like thick fries, for example, but some people do.
So what is your budget, that matters a lot, also. You probably aren't going to want to go across town for such a mundane thing, either (I wouldn't), so do you have an area where you are staying that would be best?
So what is your budget, that matters a lot, also. You probably aren't going to want to go across town for such a mundane thing, either (I wouldn't), so do you have an area where you are staying that would be best?
Jul 26th, 2011, 09:46 AM
#3
The question is impossible, but the Hippopotamus steakhouse chain will fulfill the cravings of many, as long as you know exactly what kind of steak you want since there are about 15 from which to choose. Americans, for example, often seem to order the wrong steak, since none of the cuts are the same as back home.
Jul 26th, 2011, 10:15 AM
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Christina- it is possible for Fodorites to respond with their favorites. Obviously, ANY list of favorites is a matter of personal taste. That's what the forum is for, respond with your fav and let the OP decide what they want to do with the info.
I look forward to reading the responses.
I look forward to reading the responses.
Jul 26th, 2011, 10:28 AM
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If you want value for your money you might want to try Le Relais de l'Entrecote. I believe there are several in Paris. The one I'm thinking of specifically is off Blvd. St. Germain near Cafe de Flore.
Sure, it's a chain but their pepper sauce is great as are their fries.
When I went to Paris with my father several years ago we dined here after having had dinner at multiple well known spots. I think had we gone there early in our trip he wouldn't have wanted to dine anywhere else.
Sure, it's a chain but their pepper sauce is great as are their fries.
When I went to Paris with my father several years ago we dined here after having had dinner at multiple well known spots. I think had we gone there early in our trip he wouldn't have wanted to dine anywhere else.
Jul 26th, 2011, 11:10 AM
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I have to agree with Ryan. Here is what I wrote in my trip report in 2006...I still remember that meal!
Dinner time and on to the recommended, Le Relais de l’Entrecote at 20 bis Rue St Benoir near Eglise St Germaine. We arrived around 7:30 and were seated quickly, but the restaurant was almost full at that point. The waitress, who seemed a bit stressed as she rushed around, took our drink order, asked how we like our steak, wrote it on the paper tablecloth and left. Now I knew this was a steak restaurant and that’s all that’s served, but I did expect a menu with a choice of cuts and sauces. Not to be! Everyone eats the exact same thing! First a nondescript salad, then the waitress appeared with a platter of sliced steaks and another mounded high with beautiful thinly cut frites. She put the platters on a nearby table with warmers and loaded up 3 plates with a good amount of steak, the most delicious sauce, the fries, and then served us. We sopped up every bit of sauce with the unlimited bread and were happy as clams. Then the most amazing part…she returned and started the process all over with the rest of the steak on the platter (I had briefly wondered about the steak still sitting there and figured it would go to another table), more sauce, more bread and a new platter brimming with hot fries. Did you ever go to heaven twice in a row? We were really full by then, but not too full to split 2 orders of delicious profiteroles – tiny pastry shells filled with vanilla ice cream, piled up and topped with chocolate sauce. One order would have been enough for the 3 of us after all that steak, but we did manage to eat it all.
We loved being served in this manner and the food was really delicious!
Dinner time and on to the recommended, Le Relais de l’Entrecote at 20 bis Rue St Benoir near Eglise St Germaine. We arrived around 7:30 and were seated quickly, but the restaurant was almost full at that point. The waitress, who seemed a bit stressed as she rushed around, took our drink order, asked how we like our steak, wrote it on the paper tablecloth and left. Now I knew this was a steak restaurant and that’s all that’s served, but I did expect a menu with a choice of cuts and sauces. Not to be! Everyone eats the exact same thing! First a nondescript salad, then the waitress appeared with a platter of sliced steaks and another mounded high with beautiful thinly cut frites. She put the platters on a nearby table with warmers and loaded up 3 plates with a good amount of steak, the most delicious sauce, the fries, and then served us. We sopped up every bit of sauce with the unlimited bread and were happy as clams. Then the most amazing part…she returned and started the process all over with the rest of the steak on the platter (I had briefly wondered about the steak still sitting there and figured it would go to another table), more sauce, more bread and a new platter brimming with hot fries. Did you ever go to heaven twice in a row? We were really full by then, but not too full to split 2 orders of delicious profiteroles – tiny pastry shells filled with vanilla ice cream, piled up and topped with chocolate sauce. One order would have been enough for the 3 of us after all that steak, but we did manage to eat it all.
We loved being served in this manner and the food was really delicious!
Jul 26th, 2011, 11:15 AM
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As an aside, to mime Kerouac, while I have occasionally ordered beef in Paris, my readings of others who have done so more often suggests that it is not going to match what you get back home. Differents cuts, sauces, and a different flavour due to the way the cows are raised.
Jul 26th, 2011, 11:46 AM
#9
Yes, for one thing there are no growth hormones in European beef. The accelerated growth of North American beef makes the meat mushy (i.e. "tender") rather than firmly healthy. Many people are unused to chewing real food anymore in the culture of hamburgers, chicken nuggets, cheesy pizza crusts, etc. They can stay home, as far as I'm concerned, if they don't like the food.
In terms of the Relais de l'Entrecôte, while the food it fine, there is only one cut of beef and basically one kind of sauce. Hippo (of which I am not really a fan, but I do think they serve an honest product) has all sorts of cuts and not just pepper sauce but shallot sauce, roquefort sauce, etc., to go with the meat.
Frankly, the only things there to die for, however, are the poached eggs in cream that you can get as an hors d'oeuvre.
In terms of the Relais de l'Entrecôte, while the food it fine, there is only one cut of beef and basically one kind of sauce. Hippo (of which I am not really a fan, but I do think they serve an honest product) has all sorts of cuts and not just pepper sauce but shallot sauce, roquefort sauce, etc., to go with the meat.
Frankly, the only things there to die for, however, are the poached eggs in cream that you can get as an hors d'oeuvre.
Jul 26th, 2011, 12:03 PM
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I agree that many Americans are disappointed when they order French steaks, expecting it to melt in the mouth like the beef here in the USA. Not so - you need to be prepared to chew...and chew. That said, I like l'Entrecôte as well, and I once had a very nice steak at the Bistro Romaine chain.
Jul 26th, 2011, 12:04 PM
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Kerouac, I don't know where you get your idea that it is hormones that make beef tender, but even grass fed non-hormone fed beef is VERY tender. It has to do with fat marbling.
But the truth is what Kerouac says, French beef is going to be 'chewy", and if it is tender that the OP's husband favors, he might want to give his beef need a rest for a while.
But the truth is what Kerouac says, French beef is going to be 'chewy", and if it is tender that the OP's husband favors, he might want to give his beef need a rest for a while.
Jul 26th, 2011, 01:29 PM
#13
A point? Yuck!
StCirq, the Bistro Romain chain is disappearing. It is now owned by Hippopotamus and they are slowly but surely closing all of the restaurants. When there is no Hippo nearby, it is being converted into a Hippo. Otherwise, it is just sold off to somebody else. All of the Bistro Romain restaurants are supposed to have disappeared by the end of 2011.
Gretchen, hormones do not make beef "tender." They simply make the animal grow too quickly, so its flesh never becomes normally firm. If you have ever touched the arm or leg of a human child and compared it to the arm or leg of a human adult, you should understand why growth hormone beef is so tender.
StCirq, the Bistro Romain chain is disappearing. It is now owned by Hippopotamus and they are slowly but surely closing all of the restaurants. When there is no Hippo nearby, it is being converted into a Hippo. Otherwise, it is just sold off to somebody else. All of the Bistro Romain restaurants are supposed to have disappeared by the end of 2011.
Gretchen, hormones do not make beef "tender." They simply make the animal grow too quickly, so its flesh never becomes normally firm. If you have ever touched the arm or leg of a human child and compared it to the arm or leg of a human adult, you should understand why growth hormone beef is so tender.
Jul 26th, 2011, 02:11 PM
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I have a had good beef in Paris and while it is different than our beef in the US, I still enjoy it! I don't mind chewing my food at all. I also believe there is a difference in France (vs US beef) the meat is leaner and doesn't lend it self to aging for as long, which also impacts the depth of flavor.
Kerouac, give the Americans a break...there are many of us who don't consider American cheese and chicken nuggets good cuisine. Many of us wish for less mass produced food and we know we are in the minority. I wish for all of them to stay at home, as well! That's why I leave for vacation in France!
Kerouac, give the Americans a break...there are many of us who don't consider American cheese and chicken nuggets good cuisine. Many of us wish for less mass produced food and we know we are in the minority. I wish for all of them to stay at home, as well! That's why I leave for vacation in France!
Jul 26th, 2011, 02:13 PM
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Saignant for me, always.
Didn't know that about the Bistro Romain, kerouac, but no big loss IMO. Used to go to Hippos when my kids were little, but haven't been in one for about a decade.
I thought it was feeding cows corn (instead of grass) that made their flesh more tender. I believe we have mostly corn-fed cattle in the USA.
Didn't know that about the Bistro Romain, kerouac, but no big loss IMO. Used to go to Hippos when my kids were little, but haven't been in one for about a decade.
I thought it was feeding cows corn (instead of grass) that made their flesh more tender. I believe we have mostly corn-fed cattle in the USA.
Jul 26th, 2011, 02:20 PM
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I thought the corn was part of it, also, because when I buy grass-fed beef in the US, it isn't as tender.
I"ve had good steaks in lots of places, but I don't usually buy the cheap cuts, I'd rather not bother (the specials, entrecote). I order faux filet. Le Grand Cafe over near the opera does a good job IMO.
I"ve had good steaks in lots of places, but I don't usually buy the cheap cuts, I'd rather not bother (the specials, entrecote). I order faux filet. Le Grand Cafe over near the opera does a good job IMO.
Jul 26th, 2011, 02:41 PM
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We enjoy Relais de l'Entrecote but the beef is just a vehicle for the sauce for me. I'm not a big beef eater at home and never order it in France, other than an occasional trip to Relais de l'Entrecote. I'd be happy with their salad, fries and sauce.
Jul 26th, 2011, 09:25 PM
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