Steak Frites
Oct 11th, 2006, 01:31 PM
#2
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You will not get a U.S. type steak, thick and huge. Paris bistros will tend to serve a thinner cut, but very flavorful and potatoes you cannot forget. Some places now serve frozen fries, so check out people's plates before ordering.
Les Fetes Galantes in the Latin Quarter has 10 tables max, and even the chicken tastes fantastic. There they serve remarkable little fried potato disks. My mouth waters as I remember them, and the price is extremely reasonable. Open lunch and dinner, but I'd call for reservation at night.
Les Fetes Galantes in the Latin Quarter has 10 tables max, and even the chicken tastes fantastic. There they serve remarkable little fried potato disks. My mouth waters as I remember them, and the price is extremely reasonable. Open lunch and dinner, but I'd call for reservation at night.
Oct 11th, 2006, 02:00 PM
#3
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I liked Relais de Entrecote on Rue St. Benoit, near the St. Germain metro stop. They only serve steak and frites. The steak comes with an awesome sauce. You get a half portion of each and when you are done, they serve you the other 1/2. I wondered about that at first, but I realized it was so you always had hot food on your plate.
I saw meat such as steak, lamb or chicken and some kind of potato at many I restaurants I went to.
Have a fun trip!
I saw meat such as steak, lamb or chicken and some kind of potato at many I restaurants I went to.
Have a fun trip!
Oct 11th, 2006, 02:02 PM
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I had a really great steak at Les Deux Magots, which also happens to be a bit of a tourist attraction so you can kill two birds with one stone.
On their dinner menu, which is only available after 7:00 p.m., they have this really good fillet of beef with pepper sauce, which I actually had TWICE during a recent trip. It is served with green beans but I'm sure you could get fries instead.
At 30 Euros it's not a cheap steak but I enjoyed it thoroughly - twice!
On their dinner menu, which is only available after 7:00 p.m., they have this really good fillet of beef with pepper sauce, which I actually had TWICE during a recent trip. It is served with green beans but I'm sure you could get fries instead.
At 30 Euros it's not a cheap steak but I enjoyed it thoroughly - twice!
Oct 11th, 2006, 02:09 PM
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Count me in as another Relais de Entrecote fan. I love that sauce..not ladeled all over but just enough to make things interesting. I've had some horrible steaks in various bistros but I cannot find anything to fault with Relais. They do have some other locations/
Oct 11th, 2006, 02:17 PM
#7
Most french people eat "Steak Frites" when they eat out, so you will find it everywhere. As usual, the rule that "you get what you pay for " generally applies, but look for places with lots of french clientelle.
another dish you may enjoy is "onglet aux eschallots" which may be slightly less tender than the usual entrecote, but with lots of taste ["onglet", called skirt in the UK] grilled/ pan fried, and served with a thick gravy comprising mostly fried shallots. It will probably come thie frites, or if you ask nicely, those little discs of fried potato, usually called pommes "sautes" [literally "jumping" potatos.]
As to cost, in the southwest of france last month, a "steak frites" cost about 10-15 euro, and a fillet steak with a fancy sauce about E20. so not cheap, but very good.
another dish you may enjoy is "onglet aux eschallots" which may be slightly less tender than the usual entrecote, but with lots of taste ["onglet", called skirt in the UK] grilled/ pan fried, and served with a thick gravy comprising mostly fried shallots. It will probably come thie frites, or if you ask nicely, those little discs of fried potato, usually called pommes "sautes" [literally "jumping" potatos.]
As to cost, in the southwest of france last month, a "steak frites" cost about 10-15 euro, and a fillet steak with a fancy sauce about E20. so not cheap, but very good.
Oct 11th, 2006, 02:23 PM
#8
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Just ate at Le Relais de Entrecote last week. I love a good rare steak and was told that that is the only way they serve it there. However, I was surprised when my waitress asked me how I would want my steak done--I guess they get a lot of requests for medium or well done from tourists. The fries were delicious and crispy!
Oooh, Aleta, I missed going to le Fete Galant this last trip. Their food AND service is just great!
Oooh, Aleta, I missed going to le Fete Galant this last trip. Their food AND service is just great!
Oct 11th, 2006, 04:50 PM
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I too love Relais de Entrecote but during my last trip to Paris I found a new favorite steak place called Robert et Louise. They serve huge steaks cooked over an open fire. Small and quaint but really wonderful steak served with fried potatoes. Try the steak for two if you have a travelling companion. I don't remember the address but think it is in the 8th. I tried it after seeing it on Anthony Bourdain and I was not dissappointed and will absolutely go back again. Enjoy
Oct 11th, 2006, 06:09 PM
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d'Chez Eux in the 7th has a great steack-frîtes.
No problem dining alone anywhere in Paris. I've done it for years. If they stick you by te kitchen door or somewhere else undesirable, as they tend to do sometimes anywhere in the world, say no firmly and demand a better seat.
No problem dining alone anywhere in Paris. I've done it for years. If they stick you by te kitchen door or somewhere else undesirable, as they tend to do sometimes anywhere in the world, say no firmly and demand a better seat.
Oct 11th, 2006, 06:43 PM
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Not only did the waitress at Relais de l'Entrecote ask us how we wanted our steak done, but she then proceeded to write our order on the paper tablecloth! The kids got a kick out of that!
That sauce was to die for...
That sauce was to die for...
Oct 11th, 2006, 06:48 PM
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Mellisa: Yes, you can eat alone at Robert et Louise very comfortably. I simply suggested the steak for two if you have a travel companion as it was very good when hubby and I shared it and the price was great. However, they do have many steaks on their menu and they are very comperable to the thick cut steaks you can get in the US. It is great fun watching them cook the steak on the open fire. Oh yes, the stand up facilities in the bathroom were quite a shock to my daughter in law so, for those of you who have not "enjoyed" that experience this is the place. A great steak and a good laugh after a trip to the toilet too.
Oct 11th, 2006, 07:31 PM
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OK, flame away, but I've eaten at plenty of "steak frites" places in France, particularly Paris, and must say that I've never had a particularly wonderful steak. It isn't bad -- just decent to good. But there is a reason terms like "New York Strip" and "Kansas City Cut" or "New York Steakhouse" are famous terms and no one ever says "Paris style steak" or "French cut of steak". The steaks may be OK, but anyone who tries to compare a French steak to a good American one, just hasn't been to a good American steak house. On the other hand, the frites are often nothing short of phenomenal!
So back to the original poster. When you say "ultimate" do you mean for Paris, or are you actually hoping to top a great US steak place?
So back to the original poster. When you say "ultimate" do you mean for Paris, or are you actually hoping to top a great US steak place?
Oct 12th, 2006, 04:26 AM
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"New York Strip" and "Kansas City Cut" or "New York Steakhouse" are famous terms" ...errr famous terms in America that is. I've never heard of them and I doubt if many Eurpeans (other than ones who have had them in America) have. You say it as though they are world famous!
But I'm not arguing with your point. Perhaps US steaks are better, perhaps not, I've not been there to make comparisons.
But I'm not arguing with your point. Perhaps US steaks are better, perhaps not, I've not been there to make comparisons.
Oct 12th, 2006, 06:04 AM
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nona, sorry for the confusion. I didn't mean to imply that those terms were famous in Europe. The point was that in the US, there would be lots of places advertising "Paris style steak" if it were as good as a nice aged New York strip. It isn't.
On the other hand you'll find lots of American places advertising "pomme frites", German style potato salad or "Italian style tirimisu" -- products that really are known to be great in their home countries and restaurants here would want to profit from. And many places here will actually import and advertise Argentinian beef or Japanese Kobe beef. But I see no reason why any steak place here would want to advertise or import a Paris style steak -- it just isn't worth copying.
Don't get me wrong. I love the food in Paris far more than anywhere in the US. But steak is one thing I have no reason to order there. It's one of the few things that in my opinion just won't beat out the American version.
On the other hand you'll find lots of American places advertising "pomme frites", German style potato salad or "Italian style tirimisu" -- products that really are known to be great in their home countries and restaurants here would want to profit from. And many places here will actually import and advertise Argentinian beef or Japanese Kobe beef. But I see no reason why any steak place here would want to advertise or import a Paris style steak -- it just isn't worth copying.
Don't get me wrong. I love the food in Paris far more than anywhere in the US. But steak is one thing I have no reason to order there. It's one of the few things that in my opinion just won't beat out the American version.
Oct 12th, 2006, 08:55 AM
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I used to think the same as NeoPatric, but then we had a "poire" of Limousin beef at d'Antan Sancerrois in Bourges. It was superb and it was nice to eat a piece of beef coming from a cow that had been grass fed and not pumped full of hormones, etc.
In addition, I've had superb steaks in Vienna, from Scottish Longhorn cattle raised in Styria. We actually stayed next to one of the farms where they were raised, so I saw first hand what a good life they led.
So I think European steak can be every bit as good as anything in the U.S., but you have to know where to look for it.
In addition, I've had superb steaks in Vienna, from Scottish Longhorn cattle raised in Styria. We actually stayed next to one of the farms where they were raised, so I saw first hand what a good life they led.
So I think European steak can be every bit as good as anything in the U.S., but you have to know where to look for it.
Oct 12th, 2006, 09:21 AM
#20
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I'll agree to that -- I'm sure such great steaks do exist in Europe. But they aren't found at the usual "steak and frites" places where this discussion started, even though I realize some go to them and rave about the steaks. But then on the other hand, the same "got to know where to look for it" is true in the US as well. Although I realize some love Outback or Ponderosa (does that still exist?), it must be assumed that not everyone has the same taste in steak.
