slangevar

I didn't read every post, so apologies if someone has already suggested this:

Try going to restaurants early. I was similarly worried about going to a nice cafe for lunch today, so I went at 12:15, a full 45 minutes before anyone else showed up (the French seem to eat lunch at 1). It allowed me to apologize for not speaking French, and gave the waiter time to explain everything. He even broke out a French/English food translator!

If you're interested, the cafe is called L'Epouvantail (http://www.lepouvantail.com/) and it's near the Place du Vosges. 15 euros for a "formule" (price fixed lunch). The food is fantastic and they couldn't have been nicer about my terrible French.

kerouac

The <b>French</b> eat at noon. <b>Parisians</b> eat at 1 pm or later. When traveling in the provinces, <b>Parisians</b> often go hungry due to their time lag. I have seen it happen more than once.

slangevar

The couple that sat next to me at 1 (when I was getting dessert) were actually from the south of France. ;-P

violet_9

I've just read all these posts &amp; have decided that my Lonely Planet French Phrasebook was the best $AUD11.95 I have spent on my trip thus far!
I will get back to you all on how it actually worked out for me whilst eating out in Paris!

scdreamer

boobkmark

bailey6325

bookmarking

PHL2LAX

I was not being snide...I have to admit I ate At the golden arches a few times after a long day of sight seeing and a trian ride back to the Latin Quarter. We were to tired to think about a resturant or trying to figure out a menu. My point was I found many helpfil Parisians and was never left in a resturant not being able to figure out something I would enjoy. I also am a picky eater by French standards. I have been to Paris three times with no French and am going to Nice for two weeks soon with only some basics. I would never eat at Mc D's in the states but have in many other countries. Enjoy!!

Momof3sons

kerouac - its funny that you suggested going to a chinese restaurant.

I'm currently in process of writing a trip report about our trip to France, Ireland, and England with our 3 teenaged sons, and it includes tales of our experience ordering at a chinese restaurant in Paris when we spoke minimal french and no chinese. It was quite comical

MelissaHI

Ooooh, I did that. I'm Chinese but speak no Chinese (well, maybe menu Chinese, if that) or French. I went to Mirama in Paris and tried to fumble through the meal with waitstaff who ONLY spoke Chinese or French.

Hau yau, sil vous plait!

sarahbellum

Try being in Paris, speaking no French, and being severely lactose intolerant! No cheese, no butter, no milk, s'il vous plait?

Actually everything worked out fine. We got lucky and someone always spoke a little English. I even got to have some absolutely wonderful goat cheese fondue, nary a cow's milk in sight.

Enjoy your trip!