How to Buy Dinner at a Fancy French Restaurant

One glance at the menu at an elegant restaurant is enough to rattle non-French-speaking diners. Combine this with a smug waiter and you'll find yourself in a pricey pickle. Here's how to enjoy the finest French cuisine without being made to feel like un imbe'cile.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• French food glossary

1. Don't panic. Most menu items are separated and itemized just like any other restaurant. So, at the very least, you'll be able to determine what's an appetizer and what's and entree. Knowing what you're ordering, on the other hand, is a different story.

2. Get comfortable with some of the more common French items. Foie Gras (which can barely be found in the States these days), is a duck liver pate. Saucisson is what it (kind of) sounds like ... sausage. Confit is typically a preserved meat, such as goose or duck, but can also be vegetables. Truffles which are, in essence, mushrooms, are a delicacy (and delicious), so don't be fooled by the fact that it's a fungus.

3. Familiarize yourself with some of the more common preparation methods. Fricassee is a term you might have heard before. This means, more or less, meat simmered in broth and wine topped with a white creamy sauce. When meat is "en croute" it means its wrapped in pastry. So, Beef Filet en Croute means wrapped filet. A la provencal is nearly any dish prepared with tomatoes, anchovies and olives. And a la bordelaise simply means dishes prepared with red wine. This usually means a reduction, which is often coupled with other dishes (like the filet en croute).

4. Ask for help. Even if the waiter thinks you're a philistine for doing so (and they probably won't), they'll still help guide your decision, particularly here in the U.S. The French or world-renowned food makers, but given their diverse and interestingly made concoctions, your average eater can have a poor experience if they don't order correctly.

[grapegirls]

on 3/13/2009 Kudos from the Grape Girls! We think a gourmet meal without a FAB bottle of wine is a crime, be sure to ask for tips on the wine pairing too for a great dining experience!

on 2/2/2006 Don't be afraid to try anything. If you want a truly memorable dining experience, allow yourself to select something that you have never had before and are unsure about. You'll probably be rewarded for your bravery. Seared foie gras served atop lemon pound cake with blueberry coulis may sound strange, but trust me you'll be thinking about one mouthful for years afterward. Most of all, have fun and don't let anyone (especially haughty wait staff) intimidate you. If you really, really want ketchup on your pork rillettes - then go for it.