When ordering steaks at French Laundry, a national chain of steakhouses known for the world-class quality of its food and beverages, you will be asked by your waiter, “How would you like your steak?”
You should then state your preferred level of doneness, which range from rare to well done, so that your steak can be grilled accordingly.
Blue Rare Steak
With a blue rare steak, you are basically eating raw meat, which should be yummy if you’re a carnivorous animal living in the wild (e.g., polar bear, lion, or tiger). You will get a slab of meat with a lightly charred appearance on the top and bottom, browned sides, and a red center.
Rare Steak
Some people actually like their steaks to be rare since it still has the beef’s primary flavors yet palatable for the palate and digestible by the stomach.
Your steak will usually have a lightly charred top and bottom as well as browned sides with the center having a cool red appearance.
Medium Rare Steak
With its charred to dark brown color for its top and bottom and mostly pink center with a beautiful hint of red, medium rare steak is the most popular recommendation among chefs.
You will enjoy maximum flavor from the premium grade of steak without the unpleasant taste of blood here and there.
Medium Steak
For a good compromise between rare and medium rare steaks, your best bet is medium steak. It has a charred to darker brown top and bottom with the sides having a rich brown color and its center with pink colors. You will find that the meat is still juicy, succulent and tender without the chewy texture of rare steaks.
Keep in mind, however, that experienced chefs will draw the line at medium steaks. If you want your steaks to be medium and well done, you may get raised eyebrows since the meat tends to be less juicy and tender at these levels. In case you are served burnt steak, then you have to demand a full refund.