travelgourmet

You made an allegation about me; now I demand that you withdraw it.

And withdraw it I shall. I agree that I overreacted to your post. Indeed, thinking back, most of your jabs are delivered with enough humor to suggest no malice.

I still disagree about the beef, but we will leave it at a disagreement about beef.

As for getting back on topic, I have a suggestion for a perfect steak frites dinner:

Schedule a long layover in New York and go to Peter Lugers. Yeah, it isn't steak frites, but the steak is what steak should be.

As for Paris, I have not had any memorable steak frites dinners there (though enough decent ones), but Le Severo, mentioned in the linked Times article, sounds very appetizing indeed.

Padraig

travelgourmet wrote: "And withdraw it I shall."

Thank you. Friends again, with freedom to disagree?

And on-topic: I don't care much for steak as the French like it, and frites never interest me greatly (I don't even have a deep fat fryer).

I agree with those who say that the only way to eat steak in France is rare -- the rarer the better. When I order a steak, which doesn't happen very often, I specify "saignant", which translates as "bleeding".

apersuader65, you might note that I said in a later post that there was more to the question than the activeness of the tissue. But I still hold that that less active tissue makes for less flavoursome meat. Fillet steak is wonderful for tenderness and appearance, but the sirloin of the same animal has more flavour.

travelgourmet

When I order a steak, which doesn't happen very often, I specify "saignant", which translates as "bleeding".

In US English, it translates as: "Bring me the cow, I'll cut off what I want and ride the rest home."

4lobsters

P.S. Thanks Christina. I am looking for pencil thin frites so it appears that La Rotonde is out of the running. Thanks also to TPAYT and Tpaxe. I will check out these places, also.

4lobsters

Sorry, my previous message got lost. I don't know where to begin...Yes. I did ask for "perfect steak frites" Should I have asked for "mediocre steak frites" instead? I live in NYC and regularly eat at Wolfgang's and Peter Lugers so I do know what great steak is. I wasn't looking to compare; just wanted a simple "French type" of dinner for one night (no game, no heavy sauces, no creams).Thanks to Iregeo and walkinaround. You get me. I guess I am just a "classless plebian" too!! Could be worse. I am glad that Padraig and travelgourmet have made up. Sorry to have caused such a rift; temporary as it was. Many thanks to everyone. I did get some great restaurant suggestions and info on what type of chicken to look for. Dare I bring up the beef bourguignon request again? I do.

Padraig

4lobsters wrote "I am glad that Padraig and travelgourmet have made up. Sorry to have caused such a rift; temporary as it was."

I'm glad too.

But you can't claim the credit for starting it. That's our achievement, and we won't surrender it easily.

4lobsters

Thanks. I will sleep better tonight... dreaming of steak frites!!