We all know that one of the most difficult things about being an adult is deciding what to have for dinner every night. So, when a restaurant comes along that takes that decision entirely out of your hands, you welcome it with open arms (and mouths, of course). For almost twenty years, Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte has had Londoners queueing around the block to get their hands on the only dish they serve: steak and chips.
The original Le Relais de Venise was opened in Paris in 1959 as a way for Paul Gineste de Saurs (a winemaker from Gaillac) to diversify his revenues. He didn’t have a great deal of restaurant expertise, so he decided to keep the menu simple. And we mean simple. Serving up salad, steak and fries at a reasonable price to attract a high number of customers was his formula. And it’s a formula that has certainly stood the test of time. There are now six Le Relais de Venise bistros worldwide, two of which are here in our capital city. Aren’t we lucky?
The restaurant is a dream for the indecisive as you’ll only have to make one decision. Simply tell the waiter how you’d like your steak cooked and that’s it! You’ll then be presented with a grilled beef steak, golden French fries, and their ‘famous’ house sauce. Bon Appetit!
Of course, there’s more to the experience at Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecote than just the main course. For £29, you’ll get not one, but two servings of steak and frites, plus the starter. Oh, did we forget to mention that? Well, there’s also only one starter on the menu: a fresh and crunchy walnut salad with a mustard vinaigrette.
If you’re starting to miss your freedom of choice, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a plethora of dessert options to choose from. With everything from pastries and profiteroles to crème brûlée and cheese, there’s plenty to choose from. There’s also a wide variety of French wines to choose from – but what did you expect? The bistro was started by a winemaker, after all.
So whether you’re feeling indecisive, or just want to find out what all the fuss is about, we highly recommend a trip to this cosy French bistro? I guess I’ll have the steak and chips, please…
Plan your visit here. But a word of warning: they don’t take bookings, so may the odds be ever in your favour!
You’ll find Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte at 5 Throgmorton Street, EC2N 2AD and 120 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2QG. The nearest stations are Bank and Bond Street.