suze

I don't know the countryside but in Paris there most often seems to be steak with fries or roasted chicken on the menu. Sandwiches from bakeries are great, as mentioned above.

Menus are usually posted outside. I would definitely recommend having a phrase book that includes a few pages of restaurant translations to help you identify meat, poulty, fish, etc. and preparations.

Italian and Greek restaurants are easy to find. There is fast-food too, a French chain (don't remember the name) McDonald style place.

Although available and traditional cuisine it is a misconception that everyone is sitting around France eating rabbit, venison, pate, escargot washing it down with champagne on a regular basis.

ira

Hi Eloise,

I waited until after TC had been informed of the food glossary.

Does everything have to have a smiley face?

sandi

And don't forget - Chinese/Vietnamese restaurants can be found in many towns in Provence. We found that while names of dishes on the menu were different (for that matter names are different throughout the States), most menus listed in English what was what or we asked for an explanation. Different, yes, but very tasty and a change from the wonderful variety of chicken and beef dishes, fresh veggies, pizzas, crepes and salads of every type one can think. You'll certainly be able to find more than enough to suit your tastes.

elaine

I happen to like ris de veau (thymus glands, or sweetbreads to use their marketing term) but I can't 'stomach' brains. Actually, stomach would be tripe, I guess.
None of these are going to be the only dishes on any menu. There is always a roast chicken (which the French can't be beat at) a fish, nd a steak of some sort.

SuzieC

so fois gras is out of the question...?

suze

And I had to say "pate" because I wasn't sure how to spell fois gras... thanks SuzieC!

Patrick

I am an adventuresome eater. I'll try anything once, and pretty much have. Foi gras, kidneys, tripe, sweetbreads -- bring them on. Love rabbit, venison, and anything gamey.

But whenever I spot roast chicken on a French menu, it's what I immediately crave. As long as you see it, order it, you can't go wrong. Julia Child once said the mark of a great cook is one who can roast a good chicken.

PBProvence

tcreath:

<<. My concern with Provence was that there wouldn't be as much variety since its more rural as opposed to Paris. >>

There is plenty of variety here in Provence... It's too bad that you don't enjoy seafood, but there is wonderful free range chicken, tender lamb and the freshest of vegetables and fruits grown in the area. Unless you're coming after mid-September, you won't find game on the menus here.
And you can find plenty of variety in the restaurants - Thai, Italian, Chinese, Moroccan should you feel a bit MORE adventurous while you're here.

If you're going to be in the St Remy/Avignon/Aix area, feel free to email me and I'll give you some restaurant suggestions.
Patricia
[email protected]

stormygirl

I also highly recommend "Eating and Drinking in Paris" I used the Spain version a few months back and was really impressed.

But I also highly recommend trying something at least every other day that you haven't had or have decided you don't eat. Rabbit in mustard sauce is divine and more and more restaurants, even in the US are treating rabbit like chicken because the meat is so similar. Plus part of travel is adventure right? Give a few things a try and you might be surprised. I was always a no organ person but try to keep me away from fois gras or pate once I tried it!! Also Duck is almost always on menus in France and is so much better than chicken!

harzer

You never said if you liked horsemeat. If you do you will enjoy French steaks.

Harzer

cigalechanta

and the fish, Loup, grilled over fennel stalks!!! Wonderful!

suze

Harzer, I'm sure you know but are kidding with these folks... that French steaks can be cow or can be horse!

But you bring up a good point, if someone does not want to eat horse, you need to learn a couple words more.

cigalechanta

For years the Harvard club here had horse meat on the menu but I could never bring myself to try it.

Christina

Sometimes people like to scare others about eating in France, I don't know why. You are not going to accidentally eat "horse steaks" in a French restaurant. There is a law against it, it's not served in restaurants, or so I've read (although you can buy it in a butcher's). I've never seen it on the menu in any restaurant.

cigalechanta

That's true, I've been across the country and have NEVER seen it on a menu. Bull, yes.

indytravel

I've only seen cheval on the menu at Cafe Mozart in Trois Riviere, Canada. It's a small city between Quebec and Montreal.

I didn't eat any. I thought it had an unusual smell as the plates were walked past me. That was 15 years ago.

I'd give it a whirl now. Heck I eat cows and they've never bitten me. I might as well get a little revenge on horses who have.

Tulips

I always thought 'hamburger a cheval' was a burger made of horsemeat, but someone recently told me it's actually a hamburger with a fried egg on top.
Beware that most meat in France is cooked more rare; hamburgers are usually served rare, and without a bun.

tcreath

Thank you everyone for your replies! It's good to know that there are some things that I actually eat on the menus! And who knows...maybe I will try something new...although I'm not betting on it!

I will definitely pick up a translator book before our trip, so thank you all for your suggestions on which ones to bring.

PBProvence, thank you so much for your help and for offering your e-mail address. We are probably going to stay in the St. Remy area, so I may be e-mailing you sometime soon!

Thanks again!
Tracy