Diane Mac

Will I be able to get in France and Italy a regular cup of coffee with half and half? I am not an expresso drinker but I do like strong coffee as long as I have some half and half or cream. Thanks

StCirq

Diane: cream is no problem - just order a café crème. I don't think the French have even heard of half and half. You have your choice of milk or cream.

diane mac

Thanks - so cafe is regular coffee, not expresso, correct? How do you order decaf coffee?

scarlett

cafe de decaf

Jayelle

Actually, Diane, if you order "un cafe", you will most likely get an espresso at cafes in France. As StCirq suggests, you can order a cafe creme, which will come with the milk already mixed in (like a latte). One thing I've noticed, though, is that in most hotels I've stayed in, you will get your morning coffee black, usually in a small pot, with the milk or cream on the side in a separate pitcher.

xxx

I though that decaf was coffee sans plume?<BR><BR>Why would one want to put milk or cream in their coffee -- to ruin the taste?

huh?

cafe sans plume means coffee without a feather!

BeatChick

No, no, no, dearest xxx, milk or cream (and loads of sugar) just ENHANCES the taste!! ; )

Chocolate

Also-for utter delight suck on a small chunk of bittersweet chocolate while sipping your espresso.

feather

but what if I want my coffee WITH a feather?

clairobscur

If you order a cafe in France you'll get an expresso.<BR><BR>Despite its name, a "cafe-creme", or simply "un creme" isn't a coffe with cream but a coffee with milk.<BR><BR><BR>A decaf coffee is "un decaffeine", or more commonly "un deca"<BR><BR><BR>I've no clue what a coffee with or without "plume" could be, and personnally I wouldn't try to order it, anyway...

nnnn

Go to a Swiss restaurant and ask for moitie-moitie(half and half). You will get one of the fondue classics, prepared with half Gruyere and half Vacherin cheese. I did not know coffee with "half and hald" so I thought about this.

The Real #1

I know several people who love coffee but cannot drink it without milk or creme. Coffee is extremely acidic and causes heartburn for many unless it's "cut" a bit.

Rex

"sans plume" is too funny - - presumably some kind of twisted malapropism from "sans plumb" - - or correctly spelled "sans plomb" - - which is without lead - - as in gasoline (unleaded, or lead-free).<BR><BR>And of course, here in the US people often do say "unleaded" meaning decaffeinated for coffee. Scientific literacy being what it is here in the US, many people probably do think there is some kind of chemical similarity between the two - - as if to suggest that gasoline comes "naturally leaded" - - and has to have the lead removed to be "kinder and gentler".<BR><BR>Like I said... too funny!<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Chris

In France (usually Paris) I'd often been asked if I wanted "American coffee". I assume it to be a watered-down espresso (never tried it). <BR><BR>

Bob C

coffee with milk "cafe creme" (kah-fay krehm); coffee with lots of milk "cafe au lait" (kah-fay oh lay)

francesca

If you ask for a caf&eacute; allong&eacute; (say: caffay allon-shay",) you will get a watered-down espresso --prob. the closest thing in an ordinary French caf&eacute; to an American coffee.

diane mac

OK - so I am still confused. <BR>To Clairobscur: so how do I order a regular coffee with cream, and not get an expresso with cream??<BR>This is really important for me to get this right because I get in a bad mood if I don't get my coffee the way I want it!!!! Thanks

Ronda

Love that European coffee. How can we get some? besides going there?

clairobscur

I'm affraid that ordering a regular coffee with cream isn't an option. First because a "regular coffee" in France is an expresso, period. Second, because cream is very rarely served.<BR><BR><BR>I guess the closer you can get is ordering a "cafe allonge" (which will actually be an expresso with water added) and milk (et du lait). You could perhaps try a "cafe-creme allonge" but that will prove confusing for the waiter IMO.