worried

Leaving for Paris soon and looking forward to eating one of my favs, Steak Tartare. Is it safe to eat stuff like this right now? Most American restaurants won't even make it anymore--but not because of mad-cow disease. I know they still prepare it in Paris, however, am wondering if it's risky. Thanks.

Liz

Not a complete answer, but Mad Cow risk is not eliminated by cooking, so in that respect, raw is no worse than fully cooked.

PB

I don't think there was ever a problem with it... as long as you know where you're eating it. It's made with 100% muscle meat, which contains none of the prions associated with causing "mad cow"... <BR> <BR>PB

elvira

The prohibition in the U.S. (and I do mean 'Prohibition') for rare/uncooked meat comes from our nutso panic over meat contaminated with bacteria, not sick animals. <BR> <BR>This is no joke: In Las Vegas, one of the best hotels, I call room service for a burger "rare, please". "no I'm sorry we are not allowed to serve rare meat, it will have to be medium". This is a city where I can gamble all my money away, drink until I get alcohol poisoning...AND ORDER A PROSTITUTE - MALE OR FEMALE - TO MY ROOM OVER THE TELEPHONE....but I can't get a rare hamburger. You tell me that isn't nutso.

nomoremadness

try one in champ elisees avenue named Leon de Bruxelles.

Dawn

I like your posts elvira! They are funny, enlightened and well written. <BR>

elvira

get alife ass hole

Jane

If you're going to attempt to impersonate Elvira, which would be very difficult for you to do given her talent for wit, which you lack BTW - you may want to remember that you don't type the parenthethes in the email address.