Steak Frites Pop-Up Returns to St. Paul in March
The popular pop-up restaurant Steak Frites by Meritage will return to downtown St. Paul for weekly service on Wednesdays throughout March. The concept, an offshoot of the brasserie Meritage, saw a successful run in January. Its return highlights the continued demand for its signature steak and fries dish.
The pop-up is a test concept for a potential standalone restaurant. Chef-proprietor Russell Klein has plans to launch a new restaurant focused almost entirely on the popular dish, and is currently looking at suburban locations. The pop-ups serve as a way to build buzz and gauge demand while boosting business during typically slower months. The prix fixe menu is intentionally simple, inspired by the legendary Parisian bistro Le Relais de Venise, which is famous for its steak and fries-only menu. The pop-up offers a choice between steak frites or mussels, both served with unlimited fries, alongside warm bread and a house salad. The entire meal is priced at $32 per person. Steak frites has consistently been the top-selling dish at the flagship Meritage restaurant. Klein notes that it's a universally understood and beloved meal, essentially a French take on meat and potatoes, which resonates deeply in the Midwest. The January pop-up dates sold out almost instantly, leading to 150-person waitlists and proving the concept's viability. Meritage, the parent restaurant, was established in 2007 by the husband-and-wife team of Russell and Desta Klein. Located in St. Paul's historic Hamm Building, it has become an iconic downtown destination known for its classic French cuisine, oyster bar, and professional service.
