It appears that the trick behind getting the French to queue for something, is all in the secret sauce. This report explains how a restaurant in Paris (Relais de Venise) serves only one dish (steak frites) but manages to do it better than anyone else. So without reservations and only one dish on the menu - people queue out of the door.

This reminds me of a restaurant in Strasbourg - Le Fossile - which was a huge favourite during my visits there. Whilst there were more things on the menu, there was only one main course of any interest,  onglet à l’échalote- a beautifully cooked steak, which was then chopped at the table and mixed with a jus containing shallots and lots of pepper. This was a serious meal - served with copious amounts of fries, some good margaux - it was a pilgrimage every time I went to Strasbourg.

RELAIS DE VENISE -  271 Boulevard Pereire,  Porte-Maillot, PARIS / Tel. 01 45 74 27 97
RESTAURANT LE FOSSILE - Place Orphelins, 67000 STRASBOURG / Tel. 03 88 36 39 76

Update - the Relais De Venise is now open in London - 120 Marylebone Lane, London, W1U 2QG, Tel. 020 7486 0878 (I’m gonna try that one out!)