Restaurants are different in France - Good, but different

An Island in the Seine

Restaurants in France are required to post their menus outside. The French cruise the menus. You can do that too. Walk up and down the streets and check menus until you find what you want at a price you like. If you can't read the French and there is no English outside, step into the restaurant and ask to see the English menu. They nearly all have at least one English menu and will be happy to show it to you. If you don't see something you like, simply say thank you (merci) and leave. It's okay.

Reflections - Paris

Most waiters in France are very professional and very proud of doing an excellent job no matter what the prices in the restaurant. On the other hand, don't expect French waiters to introduce themselves to you when they arrive at your table. "Hi, I'm Jacques. I'll be your server today." It just won't happen. They will take your order. You will receive your order. No one will come back (when your mouth is full) and ask if everything is okay. They expect you to have enough sense to tell them if something is wrong. If there is a problem, tell them and they will fix it. You will not see them again unless you call them. They think it is impolite to interrupt your meal so they leave you alone to enjoy it . . . nearly forever unless you realize you won't get the bill until you ask for it. What many people regard as poor service is just a cultural difference. They will not try to hurry you. The table is yours until you ask for the check. If you don't ask for the check, you can sit there all night. Funny! Conversely, if you have a reservation for a concert, tour or activity, tell the waiter and he will make sure you get to your destination in time.

Restaurant La Treille in Roussillon

A menu in France is called a carte. The word Menu refers to a selection of courses at a fixed price that are listed on the carte. (This can also be called a Formula or Special du Jour.) There are usually two or three choices at different prices. When you order, you simply ask for the 15 Euro Menu (or Formula or Special). If there is a choice of appetizers or any other courses, the waiter will ask your preferences, but the cheaper the Menu, the fewer your choices will be. If you like the fixed choices, it's a great bargain and one we often use. If you are in a really inexpensive restaurant, the Special du Jour will probably be the best thing on the menu. It is what the local customers will get and the owner can't afford to serve them poor meals. We've had bad meals in France but we have never had a bad Special du Jour.

Restaurant Le Medieval in Tourrettes-sur-Loup

If you don't order a Menu, you order a la Carte (or off the menu card) and it can be more expensive depending on how many courses you choose and their price. It can also be cheaper if you only want a salad for lunch.

St. Paul de Vence laverie, fountain and Restaurant La Fontaine

Once in Brittany we walked into a little country restaurant and without thinking asked for the menu. After a decent interval, the waitress brought out a starter. We were quite surprised as we expected a printed menu to make our choice, i.e. the carte. This was followed in due time by a wonderful roasted chicken dish and a lovely tart. We noticed most of the people in the little restaurant were eating the same thing and that they all knew each other. Our waitress didn't speak English; she wasn't used to dealing with tourists as all the patrons were local and to her, the menu that we asked for was the "Special Menu" of the day. They didn't have a choice of menus at different prices. Each day there was a special and that was your choice unless you ordered a la carte. Fortunately, we loved the meal . . . and quickly realized we were back in France!