Hippopotamus: Fine Quality Meat with a Touristic Feel

Anthony's Restaurant Rating: 68/100 X

Welcoming:6/10 Menu Choices: 8/10 Food Presentation: 7/10

Food Temperature: 8/10 Food Taste: 16/20 Service: 4/10

Ambiance/Music: 6/10 Architecture/Interior: 6/10 Air Quality: 7/10

Total: 68/100

More about: Hippopotamus MarbeufMy last experience at Hippopotamus in Algeria was a bad one… During my last trip to Paris with friends from Lebanon, my wife and I decided to give the French branch a try. Although many have said that the location we chose, located on Rue Marbeuf was not ideal – as it’s known as a hot spot for tourists; but tonight’s experience was a positive one – fresh, tasty and repeatable.

Hippopotamus has been known worldwide to offer meat and fries in a casual ambiance, introducing the French heritage to the world.

Created in Paris in 1968, the Hippopotamus restaurant Grill has gained a strong reputation, especially in the Paris region, with the widest selections of cut from well-known Sirloin, Tenderloin and Rib Steak, to the rare Hanger and Skirt Steaks., at affordable prices. Hippopotamus welcomes diners in a contemporary setting and friendly ambiance, conducive to a relaxing meal, making it a favorite meeting place for lunch and dinner, and meals with family, colleagues or friends.

Choosing to dine in the one next to rue Marbeuf, we found ourselves in front of a restaurant with a different branding compared to the others. It’s classier if I may describe it this way. With its traditional nice red ambiance, this branch feels like a refined steakhouse. Inside is a large space with three levels. Bricks cover the wall on one side and red paint on the other, while many paintings and animal mascots decorate the walls. A thick and relaxing red carpet follows you around. You can choose to sit in the middle or on the sides on ones of the couches.

Some architectural notes:

• Leather sofas and chairs fill in the space
• Red, black and gray are the three colors used all around
• Dark wooden tables remind you of charcoal grilled beef
• Pending red lanterns light every table in style
• Nice fresh greenery adds some freshness to the place and orders your subconscious to ask for a salad
• At the entrance is the bar followed by an open kitchen
• On the kitchen’s wall is written: “Love all, serve all”! Isn’t that Hard Rock cafe’s slogan?

While menu is being changed in the upcoming days, some items displayed are not available anymore…Before we couldn’t even eat, we noticed:

• Taking the order was slow
• The food service took forever to reach the table
• There’s just one waitress taking care of a complete section: She takes the orders; she delivers the orders as well as removes the plates. We had to help her clean the table
• The menu starts with the meat and ends with the starters. A subtle psychological way to make you order the consistent things

The different sections on the menu (A bit complicated to say the least):

• The first two pages cover the Hippopotamus story
• The Beef, two pages of meat choices
• Beef to share
• The hippo selection
• The burger atelier to create your own
• The burger classics
• Sauces and accompaniments
• The menus
• Starters and salads
• Desserts
• Drinks

We ordered and enjoyed:

• The goat cheese salad is fresh and beautiful to look at. On a slice of crunchy bread are two squares piece of warm cheese on a bed of fresh greenery, seasoned with a nice Provencal tasty sauce

• The French fries are very good
• The cote de beuf that comes with a selection of all sauces is presented on a stand. The meat quality is really good, soft and tender, juicy without being bloody. I removed the additional fat and plunged into this 1kg piece of meat. My friend, Joseph shared this order with me… with every bite he had a continuous smile on his face

• My wife, who ordered a piece of well done meat; was impressed by its premium taste and softness. A fine juicy piece of meat with a subtle grilling aftertaste

• Something on the menu caught my attention. A violet poached egg. “Oeuf Facon Meurette”. This was yummy and innovative. An egg is served in a cup, soaked in violet sauce, topped with crunchy bacon and fresh mushrooms. The strong pepper and alcohol flavor make this treat a good starter. Accompanied with a puree, its an order I recommend

Food was nice and the ambiance as well despite the slow service. To tell you the truth, I didn’t experience any of the bad comments written on Tripadvisor regarding the ‘touristic feel’ and ‘harsh waiters’. We enjoyed our dinner and would surely come back next time we are in the area.

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