Published on April 28th 2012.
SO Sleuth went to Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecôte.
It’s going to interesting to see whether the stark minimalism of the menu and the relatively high price will prove a hit in Manchester in 2012.
Here are pictures from the pre-opening trial run. The restaurant is now open to the public.
As the visit was hosted by the restaurant Sleuth can’t review and score until next week when Confidential goes in and pays its way.
L'Entrecote has no menu range, except with desserts, and a no reservations policy. There is a green salad starter tossed with mustard vinaigrette and sprinkled with walnuts, followed by steak-frites, with an accompanying sauce, cooked as 'blue' if required. There’s a minimum spend of £21 for the two courses. And then some very odd puddings.
Sleuth loves the word ‘Today’ on the non-menu about the food on offer, as though there's a daily special. There isn't it, it's always steak and chips. 'Today' and every other day.
On Sleuth’s visit he noticed something else. “Are there any boy waiters?” he asked. “No,” said a girl waitress in her old-fashioned Betty’s tea-shop uniform, “only girl waitresses.” Is that legal thinks Sleuth?
The decor is very plain inside a prestige building from the early 1840s by architect Richard Lane. True there are some entertaining and colourful murals but the overall impression is austere.
Sleuth found the whole experience distinctive but very peculiar with not quite as much steak as he thought there would be. The whole operation seemed a marvellous way to reduce costs.
In truth Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecôte is fast food French-style.
Same price as the City branch!
presentation looks awful - and a not very imaginative salad - a plate of lettuce!
and those net curtains are shocking!
Interesting they are charging exactly the same as their two branches in that-there London. A mistake perhaps, bearing in mind the cost-of-living (and salary) differences; we'll see.
Going for the cheapest options a three course meal for two with a bottle of (it has to be red) wine, water and the tip costs nearly £40 a head.
Despite the words they don't really welcome vegetarians or even people who like that very unusual food, fish. Maybe they just want to save the fish stocks in all the oceans of the world - maybe this is what L'Entrecote's about. It's essentially a political movement.
London, Paris, New York and now Manchester. Come on people, it is great that they have brought their brand to our city. 52 years and counting... they must be doing something right, don't knock it until you've tried it, I say.
Go to Eden for the Chateaubriand instead!!
Visited the one in Paris with the doris. Great fun but you do have to queue- caused a riot asking for English Mustard!
You're stuck if you dnt like salad then?
Not sure they'll appreciate your reference to McDonald's and Cafe Rouge (who do charge more in London), BIGEARS.
I'm not knocking the place as I love what's happening at this end of King Street, just questioning some of their decisions.
My comment about the pricing relates to the fact that they are charging London prices, in comparison to their non-national / non-chain restaurant competitors in the vicinity, who obviously aren't.
£40 a head in Manchester isn't an 'inexpensive meal'. It sounds like 'an experience' type of food place, so maybe it'll be a hit?
I laughed aloud at your 'we're doomed' comment BIGEARS. Get real we're in a massive recession; many people can't afford to dine out at all.
of course they can - crap places like Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia i.e. poor food are always busy. it isnt £40 per head, thats if you drink £36 wine which as you said people wont pay in a recession. so if you were to have house (as most people do) it would be 58 which for salad (average £3 50) steak, chips and sauce - depends where you go but sauce is usually extra £2 so i dont think thats too bad is it??? just think alot of places are doomed before they start as as you say its £40 per head BUT that is with a decent bottle of wine and if you dont drink wine, like me, it isnt too bad.
has anyone heard much about Aiden Byrne teaming up with Living Ventures to launch a Restaurant pushing for a *??? fingers crossed the rumours are true!!!!
It's obviously out of your realm of (limited?) experience, but it's a fact that not everyone can afford to eat out in the UK. Some people in the UK (brace yourself) don't even have a job.
All vegetarians don't eat meat.
Almost no meat eaters DON'T eat vegetables, so the implied comparison is void, the question is pointless and the 'thought' more like a fart.
Unless you actually do eat meat at every meal?
If you're going to dine midweek, why not join the Grill on New York Street's dining club where you can get 50% off the food if you book online. This makes a 310g rib eye steak a mere £11 including your choice of sauce.
I went for this option last night and it was great value.
Having actually eaten one lunchtime,this week,I think the negatative comments are very unfair.The food here is of a very high standard,and the portions of steak and frites are much more generous than at other establishments in Manchester.
The only odd fact is that this Very French restaurant has waiting staff who seem to be entirely female and Polish.Could they not find any staff in Manchester or even France?.
Don't knock it till you have tried it, it is consistently good everywhere I have tried it, including Manchester. I will be back on a regular basis for a red meat treat. I agree that the service needs work, but I can forgive them that in the early days.
Think I'll stick to Australasia!!!!!! Fantastic lunch offer there!
Must agree with Daniel, the Salad looks a bit Naf!!! I like to try different places all the time in M/C, but the Main looks ok, but sorry, the Salad looks rubbish.