Corner Steakhouse in Raunheim, Germany, is an unassuming restaurant where cook their steaks on hot lava plates at their tables. (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
Corner Steakhouse in Raunheim, Germany, is an unassuming restaurant where cook their steaks on hot lava plates at their tables. (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
Corner Steakhouse in Raunheim, Germany, offers a huge range of other entrees, including pizza. (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
A sirloin steak cooked to rare on a hot lava plate at Corner Steakhouse in Raunheim, Germany. Guests receive their steaks seasoned but uncooked on these plates. Cooked individually, each bite is as warm as the first. (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
If you’re looking for a well-marbled, perfectly seasoned Argentine steak around Wiesbaden or Frankfurt, you’ll find it at the Corner Steakhouse in Raunheim. Just make sure you bring your chef’s hat — you’ll cook the steak yourself at your table.
I’ll admit I was nervous when I discovered I would be cooking my own steak on a hot lava stone at this steakhouse, about 20 minutes from Wiesbaden, in a small town near Frankfurt International Airport. How would I know when the 300-gram sirloin was done?
My worries were immediately put to rest when the server gave a demonstration. Simply cut the steak into bite-size pieces and touch each side to the lava stone. In matter of seconds, each bite will be fully cooked.
The cook-at-table concept ensured that each bite of the steak, from first to last, was just as warm as the first bite would be in a normal steakhouse.
I ordered a sirloin and my friend ordered a rump steak, which was a little leaner. There are two other cuts available — point steak and filet — each in a 200- or 300-gram serving (7 or 10.5 ounces). The sirloin was exceptional, and being able to cook each bite to perfection made it even better.
The raw steaks are lightly seasoned — just enough to enhance them without getting in the way of their natural flavors. You can add of three types of sauces: garlic, spicy and a homemade parsley butter.
To accompany my steak, I ordered potato wedges, which were among the best I’ve ever eaten. My friend had the baked potato, which was slathered in sour cream. If you’re not a fan of that topping, make sure to ask that they go light on it.
Besides steaks, Corner offers a staggering number of other menu items, cooked conventionally in the kitchen. These include soups, salads, schnitzel, fish, lamb, pizza and noodle dishes. The escargots, served as an appetizer, were large and delicious.
I tried the French onion soup, and it was quite hot and cheesy. I’d recommend it or another soup or starter as a good way to prepare your mouth and stomach for what’s ahead.
Corner is an unpretentious place with outdoor tables that look out onto a gas station. The attire is casual. I saw some locals dressed in shorts and flip-flops. But the steak is the attraction.
CORNER STEAKHOUSE (Zur Ziegelhuette)
Address: Kelsterbacherstrasse 1, Raunheim, Germany 65479
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-11 p.m. weekdays, 5-11 p.m. weekends
Costs: Appetizers and salads average 8 euros (about $8.80); steaks are 14-29 euros, depending on size and cut. Other entrees average about 15 euros.
Attire: Casual
Menu: German and English. Waiters speak enough English to get by.
