Medium Rare

Medium Rare's mixed greens salad

Three different people suggested I try Medium Rare. The restaurant  concept is that of  a French bistro. Medium Rare offers a simple fixed menu (bread, salad, steak and frites) at a set price (at time of this writing $19.75 not including tax or gratuity). Beverages (besides water) and dessert are an additional cost. This is not the venue for those who do not eat beef.

The mixed greens salad is topped with tomatoes and a tasty vinaigrette. I enjoyed this simple salad - the greens were crisp and the tomatoes were firm. The culotte steak is cooked to order, cut on a bias and served with frites. Just as I was about eat my last frite a server appeared by second offering a second portion. The first portion included Medium Rare's 'secret sauce' drizzled over the steak. This time I was provided a small tin filled with 'secret sauce' and a ladle. The meal reminded me of a steak and frites dinner I had in Geneva, Switzerland several years ago. It also reminded me of Bistrot du Coin's (http://bistrotducoin.com/menu.html) Le Steak Maison with béarnaise sauce and mesclun salade.

Medium Rare's steak and frites

Medium Rare offers a short list of red and white wine by the glass or bottle as well as beer on tap. I originally requested a glass of a French red wine named Fitou, It was a medium bodied, dry red.  Beers on tap included Delirium and Maryland brewed Flying Dog.

Medium Rare offers a number of delectable looking desserts: carrot cake, double chocolate cake, key lime pie, apple pie, and hot fudge sundae. I asked several servers which was their favorite dessert. The top choices were apple pie, chocolate cake, carrot cake, and key lime pie. I opted for the apple pie. It was served warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. The pie reminded me of the apple pies my mother baked when I was a child.


Medium Rare's apple pie and vanilla ice cream

The pace in the restaurant was frantic at one point. The  young wait staff remained cheerful, friendly and helpful. My water glass was constantly refilled.

 I found the bathroom to be clean and well maintained.

Medium Rare's price point is very attractive - it's possible to just dinner for under $25 or dinner with a beverage for under $35.

Reservations can be made via Open Table. Single diners will be given the option of sitting at a table or at the bar.

Medium Rare is less than half a block from the Cleveland Heights metro station. If  you can, take metro as off street parking near the restaurant can be hard to find.