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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