Hippopotamus Steakhouse — Restaurant in Le Raincy

Really disappointed by the whole experience. Let's start with the positives... The black gentleman, with dreadlocks tied above head, was the only good thing at the place. He was attentive and courteous. I really thank him and his salary should be up. However I chose a different table as it had a sofa and I wanted to relax after a stressful day. Unfortunately I didn't realise that it was not his table and , in hindsight, it was a wrong decision for me.

Anyway, I sat and a different youngish white gentleman came to serve me. I could clearly feel that he didn't want to be there and definitely didn't like his job. The whole approach was distant and not pleasant. I ordered a beer which came that he almost thrown at me. The side with that was literally thrown on the table. This continued with every serving. The table next to me had a few adults and children. One of them said it was his 6 birthday or so. The server said the most sad happy birthday I ever heard.

I ordered a steak hache with cheese and chorizo which was most bland I ever had. The food lacked any taste and felt made with contempt. As a result it tasted absolutely plain. I tasted hache before but never been such disappointed. Overall a dismal experience.

Ps: I wanted to try the most expensive dish at the restaurant but opted for the hache because of the server. Their loss, I guess.

A BIG NO...

Today was my first time at the Hippopotamus Steakhouse and I was disappointed several times.

I didn't like the allocated table and asked for a quieter spot. The discussion started straight away. The leader of restaurant immediately started arguing with colleagues, and I didn't want to sit in the aisle. English was also a problem. English menu as QR-code available. The sauce and the gratin were good, but very small. An egg cup half full is not much (much less than 50ml). Afterwards I knew why the waiter said that you can still order more side dishes (=free of charge). The 300g steak on offer was sold out and the triology was, in my opinion, portioned too small. I almost ordered the portion twice!!! The meat was of very good quality!!! The grade of doneness was not on point, that is not as ordered (moaning at a high level). I saved the dessert right away, because another disappointment wouldn't be good. The waiter don't ask, if I am satisfied. Therefore here my statement. Fazit: Don't go there with a big appetite...although it doesn't matter. McDonalds is on...

I would go for 3.5* if possible. And that is for couple of reasons.

The meat itself was great. The serving was plentiful. The price acceptable (for a steak in Paris).

The waitress spoke only basic English. And it was impossible for her to describe the food on menu. Or give you some hints for wine pairing.

Now the real problems: I ordered a rare to medium rare rib eye steak in the end and a red wine. The wine really needed some time in a glass to get its flavor profile. The first 10 min was just acidic. Again something the waitress should point out and maybe deliver the wine well ahead of the meal. The steak was raw. At least not well done. And the problem with a raw steak is it gets cold really fast. So why am I eating it from a plastic board? Use warm plates instead.

After all I was satisfied. I belly was full of delicious meat with side dish and I...