Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

I'm getting stressed about ordering food in Paris

I'm getting stressed about ordering food in Paris

Old Sep 11th, 2007, 01:22 PM
  #41  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
slangevar is offline  
Old Sep 11th, 2007, 01:26 PM
  #42  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,870
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
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.
kerouac is offline  
Old Sep 11th, 2007, 02:02 PM
  #43  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The couple that sat next to me at 1 (when I was getting dessert) were actually from the south of France. ;-P
slangevar is offline  
Old Sep 12th, 2007, 01:44 AM
  #44  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!
violet_9 is offline  
Old Sep 12th, 2007, 04:20 AM
  #45  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
boobkmark
scdreamer is offline  
Old Sep 12th, 2007, 04:40 AM
  #46  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
bookmarking
bailey6325 is offline  
Old Sep 12th, 2007, 11:25 AM
  #47  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!!
PHL2LAX is offline  
Old Sep 12th, 2007, 11:51 AM
  #48  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
Momof3sons is offline  
Old Sep 12th, 2007, 12:32 PM
  #49  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!
MelissaHI is offline  
Old Sep 13th, 2007, 09:12 PM
  #50  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!
sarahbellum is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lunadogg
Europe
35
Oct 13th, 2016 03:17 AM
savi82
Europe
9
Jun 13th, 2007 08:44 AM
GardenKim
Europe
9
Oct 2nd, 2006 11:13 AM
css
Europe
5
May 11th, 2004 02:45 PM
wkcape
Europe
16
Apr 6th, 2004 02:57 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Your Privacy Choices -