[Shanghai] Franck (2)
Franck | Dianping
Address: 武康路376号武康庭内(近湖南路) – 376 Wukang Lu near Hunan Lu (徐汇区 Xuhui District)
Date visited: 2014.11 for dinner
Total bill: ~RMB¥1700 for four people (>RMB¥400 per person) + extra for wine
Will return: Yes
What to get:
– Terrine de foie gras
– Tartare de boeuf
– Filet de boeuf
– Crème brûlée
Franck is undoubtedly a classic French staple in Shanghai. It has been awhile, literally almost one year ago, since my last visit here. Amidst of all the new restaurant openings, new menus, and new chefs, I thought I would revisit a tried-and-try establishment instead. After all, time is a testament to its existence.
Franck is not cheap by any means (which you will see from the prices labeled below) and prices also seemed to have gone up since my last visit (e.g., the beef tartare, formerly RMB¥180, is now RMB¥200). The classic French dishes will not surprise you but they will provide a well-rounded meal. Service seems to be more gracious these days than before, which is a plus. Franck is cozy and it is definitely the type of place to go in good company.
The menu is written on blackboards in complete French but the staff can explain the dishes in non-French. I can always recognize “foie gras”and “boeuf.” P.S. I make all the guys I eat with dress up in suits, don’t you?
2008 Domaine L’Ostal Cazes Minervois (RMB590 for bottle)
There will always be wine at the table with this group.
Terrine de foie gras (RMB¥210)
Recommend: yes
A slab of foie gras to start. Always. But seriously, this dish is beyond expensive here. There is also a seared version which is very good.
Escargots de bourgogne (RMB¥110)
Recommend: no
A classic French escargot dish with garlic, parsley, and butter. But this fell a little short of flavor.
Tartare de boeuf (RMB¥200)
Recommend: yes
Really love this beef tartare chopped “au couteau” meaning by knife. This is actually listed as a main but we asked them to bring it out with the starters. Flavors wrapped up nicely with a hint of sourness from the mustard.
Comes with a side of chips; I gravitate towards the thinner, crispier ones more.
Cabillaud (RMB¥240)
Recommend: maybe
I like cod but I don’t like beans. I wouldn’t order this again myself because it’s a waste to get a dish that I can’t eat half of but if you like beans, this should be good for you.
Cote de boeuf (RMB¥890)
Recommend: maybe
The menu says this beef is for two. We have four people attempt to finish this. So this is not for two. While this is not something I would come to Franck specifically to eat, if you are here with a big party, it is worth a try. I would go to Roosevelt Prime [1][2] or 1515 West [1][2] if I wanted to eat a juicy steak. I would go to Franck if I wanted to eat a variety of French dishes. These are steaks in different classes.
Update: I just got a chance to try the smaller filet de boeuf (RMB¥280) for one person on a subsequent visit and it was amazing –cooked perfectly medium rare and tasted just the way a filet should taste. I highly recommend this one.
With that said, the cote de boeuf is still good quality beef. The cut is very thick, which is too thick for my own liking but other people seemed to be fine with it.
Crème brûlée (RMB¥65)
Recommend: yes
This may actually be one of the most on-point crème brulees I have had with a perfectly burnt top and the right texture and flavor underneath. No one ever burns the tops of crème brulees enough but Franck does.
Happy friends make a good meal great.
