Hi,
For me, learning to navigate a French menu has been a process. I know, just seeing the words “La Carte” a few years ago would send shivers down my spine. What was I ordering? Would I make a mistake? Would I embarrass myself (my biggest fear)?
Well, full disclosure, mistakes were made. A few years ago, I had dinner at Jacques Cagna in Paris. The restaurant was lovely, country french and not pretentious. Without being asked we were given English menus. While both my friend and I had been using French menus, we did not ask for the French menu. To be honest, we were a bit relieved! We ordered a wonderful meal of which the highlight was the veal chop.Tourist English or Native French menu? On my very next trip to Paris, I returned to Jacques Cagna. The veal chop was simply too good to miss. But this time I asked for the French menu. I scanned the menu, confident that I understood the menu and there was my veal chop. I practiced the order in my head and was ready! Things were going well until I ordered my veal chop, or what I thought was the veal chop. I ordered Ris de Veau (Sweetbreads). Luckily, the waiter stopped writing, looked at me and in perfect English, asked me if I intended to order veal pancreas! Eventually I received my veal chop but never forgot this lesson. Learn your offal/organs. (We’ll discuss offal later.)
My language journey has continued with Experience France (XPF). I am and will continue to enjoy the XPF immersions because they are targeted to my goal (improve my spoken French) using subjects of interest to me. As I can attest – it’s working! Here’s why:
