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Now Open: Entrecôte for Classic Steak Frites at West Bund

2018-01-05 ShanghaiWOWeng


Making the trip to Entrecôte down at the West Bund is totally worth it for a surprising (and economical) taste of France in Shanghai. 



It is located within a mall, Poly Sunny Walk Plaza, which is so new only about 40% of the tenants are open for business. 



Nevertheless, its primo street side location and the gorgeous warm gold interior filled with iconic French artwork and lit by fancy pants chandeliers is something to behold. The intricate mosaic flooring is the finishing touch. 

 

The French inspiration is clear in the décor choices



While only open in Shanghai since mid December of last year, this is a restaurant with time-honored heritage. Started as by the Paul Gineste de Saurs in Toulouse, L’Entrecôte, has grown into three iconic groups of restaurants owned by two sisters and one brother of this family. It is a bit complicated from here, but basically one of the daughters owns Le Relais de l’Entrecôte in Paris and Geneva (nicknamed L’Entrecôte) and it is this group that owns chains worldwide including Hong Kong. The main owner in Shanghai worked with the group in Hong Kong and has rights to the name in China.



Let’s talk about the steak now. Entrecôte is named after a particular cut of intercostals meat taken from between the cows ribs. In simpler terms, it is very thin boneless ribeye that can be seared to a perfect medium rare in a matter of minutes; this time window is very precarious and requires extra care in the kitchen. They source New Zealand grass fed ribeye that is seasoned with only salt and pepper to enhance it.

 

The raw product being prepped for cooking


Steak being cooked at 400 degrees C on their stone grill


Here you choose the size of steak you prefer (RMB 178-258 at dinner; RMB 98-198 at lunch): 170g, 225g or 280g. They all come with a lovely fresh garden salad with mustard vinaigrette and walnut plus warm, freshly baked bread to start. Your steak comes with crisp and hard to resist hand cut fries that are free flow. The steaks have a pleasant level of gaminess and the top secret herb butter sauce adds richness.

 

French garden salad with walnuts


Steak Frites with herbal butter sauce


There are side dishes that can be added on to your meal such as sautéed mushrooms or French beans, creamed spinach or broccoli gratin, but you should probably save room for dessert. They have gone all out on the patisserie here; even bringing in experienced chefs from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in France to assist their young and eager chefs.

 

Crème Brulee (RMB 48)

 

Black forest cake with cherry sauce (RMB 58)


While all of the desserts are tasty, the crème brûlée and the black forest cake are the best. The crème brûlée is simple yet elegant with a nice creamy custard and well burnt sugar top. The cake is chocolate without being overly sweet and has a nice essence of cherry. The Napolean has perfect puff layers, but we wanted something a bit bolder from the filling. Perhaps a thicker crème patisserie instead of anglaise?

 

Napolean cake with crème anglaise and peach brandy sauce (RMB 58)


The best thing about Entrecôte is they are serving traditional French bistro food, steak frites, at prices that reflect the casualness of the cuisine. The steak at L’Entrecôte locations in France runs about 25 Euros, which is darn near what they are going for in Shanghai! With the most expensive steak going for RMB 198 at lunch and RMB 258 at dinner, it is difficult to complain.

 

Address: Rm. L1-002, Poly Sunny Walk Plaza, 230 Ruiping Lu (near Kaibin Lu)

Tel: 021-5757 8878

Hours: Daily, 11:30am-10pm; between 2:30pm-5:30pm only coffee, tea and pastries


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