Au Coin Des Pucelles Review | Strasbourg
Super cosy Au Coin des Pucelles sits on a corner of a small back alley on the newer side of Strasbourg and serves up a small menu of classic French dishes and a handful of local Alsacienne staples. It’s popular with the tourists that dare to brave some 15 minutes away from the historic quarter as well as locals who come here for good, bistro-like home-cooking and the boisterous yet considerate atmosphere.
The insides, while pretty and quaint are a tad cramped and intimate – though not intrusively so. The service is fine and exactly as one should expect in a family run place, and the menu is good, though not extensive. Nothing really stands out but it feels as though all is as it should be in this quiet room made completely of timber and glass and held together by decades’ worth of smoke and butter from the kitchen.
We walked in one evening at around 9pm to an almost full restaurant (not difficult – there are only 8 tables – give or take a table), mixed with a smattering of locals, and a table of mixed-European and Americans talking about work in the parliamentary capital of Europe. We took our seats and noted the menu du jour in chalk on the walls, from which we ordered two dishes, and the small menu which had a bit of everything covered. But we skipped starters as we’d already eaten a heavy lunch.
I ordered what turned out to be a wonderful l’entrecôte de boeuf à l’os à moelle (rib steak with bone marrow). I ordered it a little over rare and it came as desired (see top image). The meat, though a little thin, was juicy and tender. The marrow, served in-bone on the side of the steak with a uselessly large spoon for scraping it out (use your knife!) added a layer of delectable, scraped out culinary ecstasy to the dish.
My parnter ordered the onglet from the menu du jour, which is served almost rare, as thick ribbons of dark charred flesh with bloody interiors. On the side, a gloopy shallot vinegar, thickened with beef drippings for the extra oomph, adds a beautifully sweet yet savoury flavour when layered over the meat.
We opted for a local Pinot Noir from the Boeckel estate in Mittelbergheim, to pair with both our steaks which was good if a bit on the lighter side. For dessert we chose a delicious apple crumble with salted caramel from the menu du jour which was more than enough for two to share, before finishing with an eau de vie.
