Dining Experience at Medium Rare: Uncovering the Delight Behind the $35 Prix Fixe Menu

Frequently traveling to New York for both work commitments and leisure, I relish the city's abundant dining options. Among the culinary spots, Medium Rare, a steakhouse chain that caught TikTok's attention with its affordable prix fixe offering, stood out as a must-visit on my list.

With eight locations nationwide and another opening soon, Medium Rare's sole venue in New York City is situated just outside Murray Hill in Manhattan. My visit on a Tuesday evening in January revealed a vibrant scene bustling with patrons eager to sample the renowned steak.

Exploring the Unique Single-Choice Dinner Menu

Medium Rare draws crowds with its straightforward three-course menu. For $35, diners enjoy artisan rustic bread, a fresh mixed green salad, and a sumptuous steak served with crisp, freshly cut fries.

This format is ideal for those like me who prefer not to sift through multiple options.

Indulgent Cocktails to Start

We began our culinary journey with cocktails. I opted for the blackberry sangria, while my companion chose the Gold Rush, a concoction blending bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Priced at $16 each, these sizeable drinks complemented our meal beautifully.

An Appetizing Beginning: Artisan Rustic Bread

The arrival of warm, artisan rustic bread paired with salted butter marked a promising start. The bread's texture was an exquisite balance of softness inside and a crisp crust outside.

As we savored the bread, our server inquired about our steak preferences. I requested medium-well, while my friend settled on medium-rare.

Refreshing Salad Prelude

Following the bread, a simple yet refreshing mixed green salad was served. This light appetite whetter was a fitting introduction to my meat-centric main course.

Steak and Fries: A Gastronomic Highlight

Before we could finish the salads, generous servings of steak and fries arrived, complete with Medium Rare's signature 'secret sauce.'

The steak was cooked flawlessly, tender and bursting with flavor—coupled with well-seasoned fries that ranked among the best I've tasted in the city. The sauce, creamy with hints of black pepper and smokiness, was irresistibly good, elevating the entire dish.

Continuing the Feast: A Second Helping

Just as we finished our fries, another platter was brought to our table. Hot and directly from the kitchen, the larger second serving included even more of that delightful sauce, ensuring we had ample to bring home as leftovers.

Though we were too full to sample dessert, the menu features a tempting double chocolate fudge cake ($12 per slice) that I intend to try next time.

An Unbeatable Deal

Our dining experience—with the prix fixe menu and cocktails—totaled $110 for two before tips, which was exceptional value given the quality and portions.

With Medium Rare's rise to social media fame, we initially worried about whether it would live up to the hype. However, the experience was more than satisfactory, and I am eagerly anticipating my future visits.