Food Review: Le Relais de l’Entrecôte on Rue Marbeuf
My stomach believes the Golden Triangle location is the best one in Paris
Introduction
Steak frites at le Relais de l’Entrecôte in Paris is a favorite meal for many tourists like myself visiting Paris. While this famous restaurant draws throngs of tourists to its locations throughout Paris, I insist that anyone visiting Paris dine at the location on Rue Marbeuf near the Four Seasons George V and the newly opened Bvlgari Hotel Paris1.
While I do not have objective evidence for why this location is superior to the other two locations in Paris, I will say that the lovely airport host I met at the beginning of my trip agreed with me that Rue Marbeuf was the best location of l’Entrecôte. That evidence along with the roughly 75 people waiting ahead of us on a crisp Saturday evening in Paris in May seems to suggest there is something special about this location of l’Entrecôte. Below are pictures of the hour and forty-five minute line I waited in to enjoy one of my favorite Parisian meals:
The Experience
Dining at l’Entrecôte is casual and efficient. Once seated by the host, the waitress will ask how well you want your steak - I recommend medium or medium rare. Then, she asks what you would like to drink - I recommend a glass of the house red wine, a coca-cola, and filtered tap water. There is no menu to look at unless you insist on seeing the price of the steak frites - about 27 Euro on my most recent visit. The first course is a simple salad served with a mustard vinaigrette, walnuts and radish as well as some bread and butter.
Then the first of two courses of streak frites is served table side. Make sure to save some bread - or ask for more - to sop up the beef drippings sauce that is spooned over the steak. After wiping your plate clean, the waitress will ask if you would like seconds - to which the answer should be yes - and she will pile your plate with yet another serving of steak, fries and their secret buttery sauce. This portion is slightly smaller but they likely know that you are over 60% full at this point in the meal.
When you finish both courses and find yourself in need of something sweet, l’Entrecôte has a menu for dessert options as well as a visual display of desserts. I recommend the chocolate mousse cake with whipped cream although the profiteroles are a popular order by many.
Conclusion: Was it worth it?
Absolutely. Whether it is your first time or fifteenth time visiting Paris I recommend a stop at l’Entrecôte on Rue Marbeuf for lunch or dinner.
Tip: The Bvlgari Hotel made for a great restroom stop while waiting over 1.5 hours in line at l’Entrecôte. The bathroom location is not obvious - it is downstairs - so ask someone working at the hotel for directions to the “toilette”.