(Photo by Vivian via Flickr)
Dish of the Week: Steak frites
Where to Find It: Convivial, Le Diplomate, Bistrot du Coin, Maxime Bistro Français, Lyon Hall , Requin, Medium Rare
It’s time to break out the berets, hoist the tricolore, and pop open a few bottles of champagne because this Friday, July 14th is Bastille Day! Commemorating the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, an event considered to be the turning point in the French Revolution, the day is the perfect reason to celebrate all things Francophile here in the District. And there’s no better way to feel French than to eat the French classic steak frites.
Although the Belgians and the French like to fight over who was the first to put succulent steak on a plate next to a pile of crispy fries, the simple and satisfying dish is a staple of French bistros from here to Paris. And since the preferred cut of meat is generally something affordable and flavorful, steak frites can be a relatively cheap way to get a red meat and potatoes fix.
At Shaw’s Convivial (801 O St. NW), strips of flank steak are served with fries and herbed butter, while at Le Diplomate (1601 14th St . NW), the dish comes in the form of herb roasted hangar steak, pommes frites, and maître d’ butter. Both of these establishments are also hosting Bastille Day celebrations on Friday, so you can go enjoy your meat and potatoes with an extra side of festivity come the 14th.
Two classic versions can be found as well at Bistrot Du Coin (1738 Connecticut Ave. NW), one served with béarnaise and the other with red wine sauce, while the folks at Maxime Bistro Français (2915 M St. NW) in Georgetown offer the options of peppercorn, Bordelaise, or béarnaise Sauce to top a half pound of seared sirloin steak. This is all in addition to Medium Rare’s (3500 Connecticut Ave. NW, 515 8th St. SE) spectacular steak frites prix fixe, which for $20 and change includes bread and salad in addition to their award winning culotte steak and hand cut fries. That’s not to mention the second portion of steak and fries that come around once you’ve finished the first round.
For those willing to venture outside the District, the steak frites options are just as delicious and just as ample. Lyon Hall in Arlington (3100 Washington Blvd.) has hangar steak frites on their menu, accompanied by arugula salad (so you can pretend to be healthy), while Mike Isabella’s Requin in Fairfax (8296 Glass Alley) offers a smaller portion of seared petit filet as well as a more generous serving of seared hanger steak.
Previously on Dish Of The Week:
Summer Of Funnel Cake
Fried Shrimp Po’Boy
Crunching On Crudites
Bring On The Bao
Stop And Taste The Rose
