Medium Rare, the original sizzling single-choice Steak Frites prix fixe meal experience from Washington, D.C., is now “steaking” its claim in the Big Apple. The new location at 488 Third Avenue in the City’s Murray Hill neighborhood will be Medium Rare’s eighth, and the restaurant is ready to win over discerning New York diners. “You have to have the best of something, otherwise you’re off the radar,” says Mark Bucher, co-owner of Medium Rare with his business partner Tom Gregg in a statement. “We knew we had to have a sauce with ‘come back’ quality and we do. We go through insane lengths to keep it a secret.” The sauce “is loved and ordered by people all over the world,” and has gone through hundreds of variations before reaching the ultimate uniqueness.
What comes with the sauce? A meal that consists of Medium Rare’s Culotte Steak, seared to personal preference and generously drizzled with said special sauce, fresh-cut French fries, mixed greens salad, and artisan rustic bread, all for $34.95. Vegetarians and vegans can enjoy a portobello mushroom entree with roasted red-pepper sauce. Best of all, seconds on all main-course items are complimentary, and homemade layer cakes (chocolate and carrot), pies (Key lime and apple) and a classic hot fudge sundae can be added to any meal for an extra $12. A highly curated selection of four cocktails (Pineapple Mule, Hibiscus Margarita, Lavender 75, Gold Rush, Blackberry Sangria) plus a seasonal drink, wine and beer are also available for an additional charge.
Weekend brunch comes with unlimited cocktails, coffee, juice and soda, for $39.95. Steak Frites with their famous secret sauce (or a grilled portobello mushroom with fire roasted pepper sauce for vegetarians and vegans), Medium Rare’s Famous Benedict (steak and egg portobello mushroom hash, “perfect poached egg” secret sauce hollandaise and fresh-cut fries), The Ultimate American Breakfast Sandwich (steak and choice of eggs, fries, artisanal chorizo sausage served on a rustic baguette with secret sauce and hollandaise), Steak & Eggs; and their house specialty – 24-hour-soaked French Toast with artisanal sausage – are the weekend brunch meal options.
While enjoying the meal, guests are treated to fun – and French – touches around the rustic restaurant. Waiters write customer orders on top of the table’s paper cover – in crayon; cocktail napkins feature flirty French pick-up lines; and guests can take a quick French lesson while using the restroom.
With an equal passion for philanthropy, as for food and fun, Bucher and Gregg created a Feed the Fridge program that sets up refrigerators that his team stocks daily around D.C., Virginia, and New Orleans. The program feeds 3,600 people a day. In New York, he plans on working with partners like the Boys & Girls Club to launch the program. In 2023, Bucher announced his expansion plans to open in cities with NFL teams because he says “NFL cities are strong in media, commerce, community, and support for restaurants and our ability to make a difference on food insecurity.” Following New York, Medium Rare will open in Houston in September, Boston in October and Philadelphia in November, resulting in 11 locations by the end of 2024.
Medium Rare New York serves dinner Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 2:30 p.m. to 11.p.m.; and Sunday 2:30 to 10 p.m. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Private party space and catering are available.
