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Manager Rodney Prosper and Coco Jo at Entrecôte
Café |
Swiss concept
for great steak
Entrecôte Café de Paris opened last November
on the site of the Lebanese restaurant in Baker Street, two
blocks away from Selfridges and Oxford Street.
On the night I visited, it was well-patronised with two
sections clearly dividing the smokers from the non smokers.
Its design is based on the typical French brasserie. Brown leather
banquettes, large mirrors, brass railings and glass chandeliers.
Its Swiss concept from Geneva is simple: A set menu at £16.95
includes a Green Salad as a starter and an Entrecote Steak served
with their sauce Café de Paris originating from 1930.
Hand-cut French fries keep coming throughout the meal. A vegetarian
choice is available on a daily basis.
I liked the way the staff worked together. Very happy and obliging
and truly well-organised. Rodney, one of the managers, helped
with everything, including preparing the spectacular salad.
I say spectacular because few places in London know how to make
the perfect salad. Theirs consists of different types of lettuce
that tasted fresh, crunchy and quite crisp even if it was not
tossed – the vinaigrette is poured generously over the
leaves at the last minute.
The bread which arrived with pieces of butter was crunchy. I
asked for olive oil for the bread although I would advise waiting
to dip it in the sauce that accompanies the steak.
The Charolais steak was tender and cooked as ordered. It is
sliced in the kitchen and brought in a stainless steel dish
with their “secret” butter and herb sauce. The dish
is placed on a burner to keep them warm. We ordered mustard,
in addition to the sauce.
The carefully selected French wine list offers eight choices
for red, two for white and one Rosé.
I spotted my favourite Chateauneuf du Pape 2001 at £55
and a Bourgogne Pinot Noir (2004) at £29. Their house
red, Les Vignals Rouge 2004 was very good indeed at £12.50
the bottle.
The authentic desserts are homemade from family recipes (£4.50):
tarte tatin, profiteroles and crème brûlee.
A selection of ice-creams and French cheeses are also offered.
A glass of port special reserve is £ 3.50 and a glass
of dessert wine 2003 Chateau Rombeau £5.75.
A special invitation card offering 10 per cent off the total
bill on your next visit is given.
Our bill came to £51.04, including a 10 per cent service
charge. And the credit card receipt had been closed.
Entrecôte Café de Paris is open seven days a week
from noon- 11.30pm (10.30pm Sunday). In the summer guests can
sit at a decked terrace for al fresco dining. Reservations are
only taken for groups of eight or more. |
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