The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook. ~ Julia Child
When I arrived back in Paris STARVING after a full day at Fontainebleau Chateau, I knew the time to dine at le Relais de l’Entrecôte had come.
The sight of Brasserie Lipp, Café de Flore, and Les Deux Magots – glorious cafés all – called to me as I exited the metro at St-Germain des Prés. It was a Thursday evening, just after 7 pm, and their sidewalk tables were filled with people laughing and raising glasses. But I stayed on course to Rue Saint-Benoit, while images of grilled beef and fried potatoes danced in my head.
Because I’d been told the steak frites at le Relais de l’Entrecôte was amazing and the portions generous.
Turns out they told me right.
The St-Germain location is one of three in Paris where all they serve is steak frites for lunch and steak frites for dinner. Every day. So they’re very good at it.
You need only state how you want your steak cooked. “Rare” was my choice. And once the server took my order, she brought the spicy walnut-laced salad that “comes with” right away. 
She whisked back again soon after I’d put my salad fork down and set before me the best steak frites I’d ever had. The cuts were super tender, bathed in the restaurant’s signature secret sauce. The rest of my plate was covered with perfect hot, fresh fries.
And when I’d finished my last slice of steak and munched my remaining frite, my eagle-eye server came back with another helping. Here’s what a second plate of bliss looks like:
A simple great choice for simply great food in Paris.
(But there are enough choices on the dessert list to go crazy with afterwards ~ provided you still have room.)
le Relais de l’Entrecôte, 20 rue St-Benoît, 75006; metro: St. Germain des Prés (Line 4)
OK, now that I’ve worked up an appetite, Hubby L. and I are headed out to a place over the Texas border (just under an hour’s drive from here) for some of this area’s best rib-eye and steak fries. Not exactly the experience outlined above – no Eiffel Tower or Louvre Museum nearby – but good eats nonetheless.
Popped by through Lou Messugo’s linked up. I am an entrecote rib eye specialist and you got me at the title and picture! Will definitely try this one out next time I’m in Paris. Yummo! Thanks for sharing!
Happy to recommend what is a must-go for you! And this “Relais” is my fave of the Paris locations. Would enjoy learning what you think once you’ve experienced it for yourself so do visit again, Thien Lan!
Delicious! Will definitely try this restaurant when I get to Paris this spring! Great recommendation!
Great, Christy! Expect you will be pleased, and if so, maybe feature the visit in a follow-up to your book, Four Years in Paris (which I’m reading now, by the way!)
Nothing like some French steak and frites! One thing I appreciate about this chain is that they have a location in NYC and it tastes exactly the same as the one I’ve been to in Paris. It’s so nice to have a place nearby where I live to get a solid French fix when I’m missing it! (And that sauce, with the frites?! SUPER BON 🙂
Oh, yes, Sara . . . “wonderful” is the word for that sauce. Good to have your report of the NYC location being as good since I expect to be there later in the month visiting friends and family. Guess where we are going to dinner? 🙂
Just looking at that plate is making me hungry!
Well then ~ I’ve accomplished my mission! 😉
I’m definitely taking my son here next time in Paris, he’s a steak frites demon! I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of this little chain before so thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Always a pleasure hanging out with you, talking up la Belle France, Phoebe!
And sounds as if le Relais de l’Entrecôte and your son are a perfect match! My memory of it is refreshed since I’ve just returned from NYC and a steak frites dinner at Manhattan’s le Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte, one of a a chain of restaurants with a similar menu and locations in Paris (the original) and London.
Turns out the two chains were founded by different generations of the same family ~ very cool.
Anyway, the NYC dinner was delicious and the place stayed full with happy diners, myself included ~ still I enjoyed the meal and especially the service at le Relais de l’Entrecôte St-Germain more. Sure you will enjoy it, too.