I've got 2 weeks before my trip and need a menu translator ASAP. I'm sure I can order from Amazon, or go to the bookstore. What do you recommend as far as small size but comprehensive?

Thanks for the help!

beth

we can start one here

escargot = snails

Marling Menu Masters are handly little pocket-sized books that have pretty good detail. Have not used one for France, but I liked mine for Spain and Italy.

Go to
www.patriciawells.com
Go to Glossary
Download free

I used the Marling Menu-Master for Germany and I found it extremely UN-user friendly. You might want to check it out at a book store before ordering it to see if the organization suits you. Barnes and Noble usually carries them

You might also have a look at The A-Z of French food, published by Scribo. Slim, easy to carry book, that we use even after 12 years in France - you never know when they're going to slip some new term or regional variation onto a menu. Avaiable from Amazon in the UK and in France, but perhaps not in NOrth America. The publisher does indicate on their web site that they will ship to other countries. http://www.hub-uk.com/interesting/a-...rench-food.htm

BTW - the Patricia Wells Menu Reader can be downloaded in PDF format to a PDA (Palm Pilot type thing) and carried easily in your pocket. I do this in France. Others download and reduced size and print to a small booklet. Use computer and paper at work and do it for free.

My favorite French menu translator is a witty little book called "What Kind of Food Am I?" It's fun to read as well as being very useful; fits in a pocket.

Um, escargot - snail. Just ONE snail. Escargots would be snailS.

If you have a French phrase book, they usually have a few pages in the back for restaurant/menu translations.

"escargot = snails"

You mean I've been eating snails on all these trips to France!!! Tracy told me they were crabs on the half shell.

Very SMALL half-shells!

And don't eat the horse.

I second the recommendation for the What Kind of food Am I book. I thinking the subtitle is Eating and Drinking in Paris. I've used it on serveral trips and like the compact size, the interesting asides and I've not encountered one food on the menu that was not in the book. Have fun!

Here's a link to a Langenscheidt Pocket Menu Reader - France at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=...0menu%20reader

Another vote against the Marling Menu-Master. I've taken it with me a couple of times & it's never been worth the weight. Most of the things I've looked up weren't in it. Next time it stays home.