Do You Really Know What To Eat?
Dec 27th, 2006, 08:47 AM
#1
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Do You Really Know What To Eat?
All my recent research on Paris restaurants has got me to wondering about the choices we make at restaurants.
I often feel a little discomfort with the language barrier and unfamiliar food choices. Guess I don't get to europe often enough to be more confident. This usually happens in France, and not so much in Germany, and Italy. And with the low exchange rate, I hate to waste money on poor choices, even if I know that will happen on occasion.
So, do you most often:
Research ahead of time and know exactly what to eat?
Ask for suggestions from the waiter?
Look around and see what looks good on a nearby plate?
Pick a special of the day?
Just curious, and wondering if others feel as I do.
I often feel a little discomfort with the language barrier and unfamiliar food choices. Guess I don't get to europe often enough to be more confident. This usually happens in France, and not so much in Germany, and Italy. And with the low exchange rate, I hate to waste money on poor choices, even if I know that will happen on occasion.
So, do you most often:
Research ahead of time and know exactly what to eat?
Ask for suggestions from the waiter?
Look around and see what looks good on a nearby plate?
Pick a special of the day?
Just curious, and wondering if others feel as I do.
Dec 27th, 2006, 08:59 AM
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Before I go on the trip, I may look up the French words for some things I know I don't want to eat and write them down or check them off in a book. Sometimes I keep my little food translation book in my purse so I can order without wondering what the heck I will be getting.
No matter what people say, I can't bring myself to eat a snail or a horse.
No matter what people say, I can't bring myself to eat a snail or a horse.
Dec 27th, 2006, 09:10 AM
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Hi SeaUrchin
Good point about not eating odd items.
I just need to kick this vague feeling of disappointment with my meals in Europe. They are usually okay, but usually nothing to rave about; especially given the high prices. I hate it when the experience is a bit of a let down and a little stressful.
Good point about not eating odd items.
I just need to kick this vague feeling of disappointment with my meals in Europe. They are usually okay, but usually nothing to rave about; especially given the high prices. I hate it when the experience is a bit of a let down and a little stressful.
Dec 27th, 2006, 09:14 AM
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Bring a local to dinner with you! ;-)
seriously, my wife is very fluent in German and had to explain why she still needed help with her menu as her German was nearly flawless... she just didn't understand the local variation on "surf & turf" or "cluck & moo"!
I got caught up in eating local delicassies in Venice and ordered cuttlefish in ink - thank god for the polenta - on the periodic chart of food, this has to be in the plutonium range! So incredibly dense, I'm surprised the waiter didn't give me one of those "OK, you tried to fit in, perhaps you'd like to try something a little more mainstream" hints.
seriously, my wife is very fluent in German and had to explain why she still needed help with her menu as her German was nearly flawless... she just didn't understand the local variation on "surf & turf" or "cluck & moo"!
I got caught up in eating local delicassies in Venice and ordered cuttlefish in ink - thank god for the polenta - on the periodic chart of food, this has to be in the plutonium range! So incredibly dense, I'm surprised the waiter didn't give me one of those "OK, you tried to fit in, perhaps you'd like to try something a little more mainstream" hints.
Dec 27th, 2006, 09:16 AM
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I think it is because we read so much about how wonderful/better the food is in Paris. Our expectations are high.
You know, I thought the same thing on my last trip to Paris, I kept thinking I was ordering wrong or going to the wrong places, but the food didn't knock me out (in a good way, ha). I have had just as good or better in So. Cal and NYC. I had tasty food but I was paying dearly for it too with the euro exchange.
You know, I thought the same thing on my last trip to Paris, I kept thinking I was ordering wrong or going to the wrong places, but the food didn't knock me out (in a good way, ha). I have had just as good or better in So. Cal and NYC. I had tasty food but I was paying dearly for it too with the euro exchange.
Dec 27th, 2006, 09:17 AM
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Hi C,
>I just need to kick this vague feeling of disappointment with my meals in Europe. They are usually okay, but usually nothing to rave about; especially given the high prices. <
What do you usually eat when you go out at home?
What do you usually pay?
>I just need to kick this vague feeling of disappointment with my meals in Europe. They are usually okay, but usually nothing to rave about; especially given the high prices. <
What do you usually eat when you go out at home?
What do you usually pay?
Dec 27th, 2006, 09:49 AM
#10
I don't research meals or restaurants, with mixed results. That said I'm not a "foodie" so is not crucial for enjoyment on a trip. That said, I don't eat at expensive places so any disappointment doesn't break the bank.
Dec 27th, 2006, 09:51 AM
#11
I do not ask the waiter for suggestions... but have ordered special of the day, fix price menu, or pointed to a dish (hopefully politety) at a neighboring table and asked for the same as they have.
Dec 27th, 2006, 09:57 AM
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I don't travel without my menu translation books. For Italy and France, I like the "Eating and Drinking in ..." books by Andy Herbach and Michael Dillon. They are small, fit in my purse and I have rarely encountered a menu item that isn't listed. The books are in alphabetical order and contain listings for beverages, sauces, main dishes, etc.
I am not an adventurous eater, and although I do like trying new things I want to have a clue about what I am getting.
I am not an adventurous eater, and although I do like trying new things I want to have a clue about what I am getting.
Dec 27th, 2006, 10:11 AM
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But Cato, aren't you the one who is asking about all of those "decor" restaurants in Paris? If you are really seeking the best food for the best price on your upcoming trip, you might want to shift your priorities a bit..you are not going to get the best price-value ratio at those chain brasseries.
To answer a few of your questions: I do a lot of reading about the foods of the city or area I will be visiting. So I already know what the regional specials will be and order accordingly. (I would probably not order seafood salad in Bologna, for example, or Madrid)
I do a good amount of cooking at home and am familiar with the ingredients of most of the menu items in Western european countries.
I always look to see what others around me are eating and once in a while, I adjust my order if something looks great.
I often chose from the daily specials, as do many local diners, I believe. Unless you are eating in a tourist trap, this often signifies dishes that employ fresh from the market seasonal ingredients. Often there are certain dishes associated with days of the week, for example, gnocchi is the Thursday special in many Roman trattoria so I would order it on that day rather than on another day when it might not be freshly made.
The daily specials are usually listed on a seperate written menu or piece of paper atttached to the regular menu and include prices. If I am concerned about the price of a dish and it is not listed on the menu, I ask.
I would ask the waiter to clarify or explain a menu notation that I did not understand. If I know the place well, which would not usually be the case away from my home city, I might ask him to help me choose from two of three dishes if I am having trouble deciding. I inquire if the place has a particular specialty and often I order it. Relying on the waiter can be hit or miss but often if you ask about the chef's specialty you will be steered right.
Well, those are a few of my thoughts...I also choose the places I eat in very carefully. I do not patronize those places with the laminated menus in four languages and I usually do not ask a hotel concierge for advice in Europe unless I am really stuck (off hours/sunday or holiday when most places are shut...) And I rarely walk in off the street in a european city without knowing at least something about a place, be it from reading about it or from a recommendation from someone I trust.
And I am not afraid of trying new foods. If thousands of people in Paris are eating snails, for example, I certainly would want to try them at least once. And while pajata, a specialty of Rome that you probably do not want to learn about, does not initially appeal to me and even sounds a little odd, I will be ordering it on my upcoming trip because someone whose taste I trust, and who posts here on Fodor's, has recommended it very highly. If I hate it, I won't eat it!
Hope I did not expound too much....
To answer a few of your questions: I do a lot of reading about the foods of the city or area I will be visiting. So I already know what the regional specials will be and order accordingly. (I would probably not order seafood salad in Bologna, for example, or Madrid)
I do a good amount of cooking at home and am familiar with the ingredients of most of the menu items in Western european countries.
I always look to see what others around me are eating and once in a while, I adjust my order if something looks great.
I often chose from the daily specials, as do many local diners, I believe. Unless you are eating in a tourist trap, this often signifies dishes that employ fresh from the market seasonal ingredients. Often there are certain dishes associated with days of the week, for example, gnocchi is the Thursday special in many Roman trattoria so I would order it on that day rather than on another day when it might not be freshly made.
The daily specials are usually listed on a seperate written menu or piece of paper atttached to the regular menu and include prices. If I am concerned about the price of a dish and it is not listed on the menu, I ask.
I would ask the waiter to clarify or explain a menu notation that I did not understand. If I know the place well, which would not usually be the case away from my home city, I might ask him to help me choose from two of three dishes if I am having trouble deciding. I inquire if the place has a particular specialty and often I order it. Relying on the waiter can be hit or miss but often if you ask about the chef's specialty you will be steered right.
Well, those are a few of my thoughts...I also choose the places I eat in very carefully. I do not patronize those places with the laminated menus in four languages and I usually do not ask a hotel concierge for advice in Europe unless I am really stuck (off hours/sunday or holiday when most places are shut...) And I rarely walk in off the street in a european city without knowing at least something about a place, be it from reading about it or from a recommendation from someone I trust.
And I am not afraid of trying new foods. If thousands of people in Paris are eating snails, for example, I certainly would want to try them at least once. And while pajata, a specialty of Rome that you probably do not want to learn about, does not initially appeal to me and even sounds a little odd, I will be ordering it on my upcoming trip because someone whose taste I trust, and who posts here on Fodor's, has recommended it very highly. If I hate it, I won't eat it!
Hope I did not expound too much....
Dec 27th, 2006, 10:12 AM
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I think it's really hard to compare when eating great ethnic food in the U.S. with eating at brasseries in Paris. In a large urban city, I have access to some of the best food I've ever had for only $5-15 USD pp. (and it's only as high as $15 because of Korean kalbi bbq, grilled over burning wood/coals at my table along with 20 panchan side dishes).
I have to shift my expectations since I don't eat much ethnic food in Europe (with the exception of Indian in London, which is all I eat there) but rather at more mainstream, expensive joints that I usually avoid in the U.S. (i.e. "new American" equivalents, offering their grilled sea-bass, lamb shank, grilled scallops or a roasted chicken and the ubiquitous desserts of creme brulee, tiramisu, or flourless chocolate cake.) I mean these restaurants are very good when work is footing the bill, but I go to a Latino or Lebanese place for a whole roasted chicken ($6) and my favorite tapas place does grilled scallops with saffron infused rice for only 8 bucks.
I ate very well in Italy -- but I tried not to isolate the food from the general context that allowed me to really enjoy the experience. The only place that just absolutely, uniformly blew me away with their food was Spain -- I spent from 7 E (tapas bar) to over 100 E pp (12 course degustation) -- and all my food experiences were just incredible.
Anywy, I avoid eating at too many brasseries -- if traveling with friends, just a couple of times over a week, just once if by myself. I prefer to eat cheaply (but well) --items from the charcuterie and markets, a rotisserie chicken to go -- and then also splurge for a 12 course tasting menu that I need to reserve months in advance. That way, I avoid a middle of the road dining routine and the costs end up being around the same.
I have to shift my expectations since I don't eat much ethnic food in Europe (with the exception of Indian in London, which is all I eat there) but rather at more mainstream, expensive joints that I usually avoid in the U.S. (i.e. "new American" equivalents, offering their grilled sea-bass, lamb shank, grilled scallops or a roasted chicken and the ubiquitous desserts of creme brulee, tiramisu, or flourless chocolate cake.) I mean these restaurants are very good when work is footing the bill, but I go to a Latino or Lebanese place for a whole roasted chicken ($6) and my favorite tapas place does grilled scallops with saffron infused rice for only 8 bucks.
I ate very well in Italy -- but I tried not to isolate the food from the general context that allowed me to really enjoy the experience. The only place that just absolutely, uniformly blew me away with their food was Spain -- I spent from 7 E (tapas bar) to over 100 E pp (12 course degustation) -- and all my food experiences were just incredible.
Anywy, I avoid eating at too many brasseries -- if traveling with friends, just a couple of times over a week, just once if by myself. I prefer to eat cheaply (but well) --items from the charcuterie and markets, a rotisserie chicken to go -- and then also splurge for a 12 course tasting menu that I need to reserve months in advance. That way, I avoid a middle of the road dining routine and the costs end up being around the same.
Dec 27th, 2006, 10:14 AM
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The "point at food" thing really works. I was in little Tratteria outside of Orvieto. The Mrs. was napping, and I went out for something to eat. No one spoke a word of English, so I pointed to someone's huge grilled chop w/spinach, had a liter of wine, and it cost me 8-9 Euro. What a good deal. 
Dec 27th, 2006, 10:14 AM
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I prefer to eat cheaply (but well) --items from the charcuterie and markets, a rotisserie chicken to go -- and then also splurge for a 12 course tasting menu that I need to reserve months in advance. That way, I avoid a middle of the road dining routine and the costs end up being around the same.
That is an interesting concept. I often do much the same.
That is an interesting concept. I often do much the same.
Dec 27th, 2006, 10:41 AM
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By now, I am a foodie, and if I say so myself, a darned good cook. That said, I'll try anything (nearly). I always dislike this routine: "Would you like to try XXX?" "No thank you, I don't like XXX." "Have you ever tried XXX?" "No." "Wha' the???"
I don't have to like it after I've tried it. Now all that rhetoric aside, nope, I won't try "viande de cheval" either.
I don't have to like it after I've tried it. Now all that rhetoric aside, nope, I won't try "viande de cheval" either.
Dec 27th, 2006, 10:42 AM
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oops.. got so long winded I clicked to fast.
I enjoy trying the prix fixe dishes when I'm on the budget.
Only 1 time was I ever REALLY disappointed..and that was with steak frites... wow...what cut of meat was that?
I enjoy trying the prix fixe dishes when I'm on the budget.
Only 1 time was I ever REALLY disappointed..and that was with steak frites... wow...what cut of meat was that?
Dec 27th, 2006, 10:49 AM
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"I do not patronize those places with the laminated menus in four languages"
These foodies slay me - everybody knows laminated menus, plus pretty pictures, plus "snatch and grab greeters" means you are right in the thick of things and can have a quick meal in shorts! Anything more is over-kill.
These foodies slay me - everybody knows laminated menus, plus pretty pictures, plus "snatch and grab greeters" means you are right in the thick of things and can have a quick meal in shorts! Anything more is over-kill.
