Le Relais de Venise, known commonly as “L’Entrecôte” has a few restaurants in London and internationally. It’s famous for its non-existent menu, cheap price, tiny tables, and, most importantly – the second helping of steak and chips. I visited the city branch for lunch on a weekday.
[rating meta_key=”cooking”]
Seemingly only available in rare, medium or well done, I went for medium as usual. It’s safe to say the cooking was just right, and the texture was good. The steak is pre-cut into slices and was nicely pink throughout (although probably more cooked I’d prefer). Soft in the middle, but not quite charred enough on the outside for this to be a 5/5.
[rating meta_key=”flavour”]
This restaurant is famous for its sauce from the original restaurant in France. While I like the sauce, I’m not a steak on sauce kinda guy; I’d much rather taste the actual meat than the sauce. Having said that, the sauce is nice enough and I can happily eat it. The overarching taste is that of the sauce, which is less “meaty” than I prefer.
[rating meta_key=”fries”]
The fries here are perfect. The fries are crisp, plentiful, and nice and thin.
[rating meta_key=”service”]
The service here is interesting. As ever, the steak is served and the waitress then serves the fries at your table using a spoon and fork. Our waitress this time managed this adequately, but they’ve often struggled in the past. Once the waitress has established we’ve been here before, it’s simply a question of “how would you like it cooked” and “what would you like to drink” before the food arrives.
The service here is short but functional. Given the business of the restaurants, this is just fine by me, especially at lunch time. The waitress uniforms are “interesting” and very traditional!
This restaurant doesn’t accept reservations as far as I’m aware, so it’s a good spot for an unplanned decent lunch or dinner. Be prepared to queue, however.
[rating meta_key=”decor”]
The decor here tries to take you away from the modern setting in the City, to a traditional Parisian restaurant. The decor isn’t the type of thing I’d usually go for, but is actually quite nice – at least it’s pretty unique.
The massive challenge at this restaurant is the tiny size of the tables, and how they are crammed on top of each other. Even squeezing between tables at the main entrance and exits can be difficult!
Image credit: Le Relais de Venise website
[rating meta_key=”value”]
Steak and chips (x2!) and walnut salad for £24 plus service. Can’t say any fairer than that!
[rating meta_key=”other”]
They serve a salad and bread pretty much as soon as you sit down, then a full (small) plate of steak and chips. When you’re just finishing, they bring you a top-up of steak and chips, which have been sitting at the serving station close by. I like this – it’s nice to have “seconds” to look forward to!
[rating meta_key=”overall”]
This is a great choice. No, the steak isn’t the best you’ll eat in London. But, it’s a unique place which is a nice safe bet at a nice price, which doesn’t require reservations.
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