Most popular restaurants
Using je voudrais + un/une + noun to order food To order food, you can simply use the indefinite article un (masculine) or une (feminine) + the item. You would normally add s’il vous plaît (‘please’), at the end of the sentence: Une soupe de poisson, s’il vous plaît.
Ordering and etiquette Bonjour. Avez-vous une table pour deux (trois/quatre)?: “Do you have a table for two (three/four)?” If you don’t have a reservation, this is how to ask if you can be seated. La carte, s’il vous plaît.: “The menu, please.” La carte des vins, s’il vous plaît.: “The wine list, please.”
When the waiter asks “Are you ready to order ?” or “Can I take your order ?” If you are ready, you can give your order . Use “I’d like…” or “I’ll have…” to introduce your order and expression “for starter/appetizer” to talk about the first course and “for main course” to talk about the second course of food you will eat.
To pay the bill especially at smaller establishments, we recommend that you pay by cash. However, these days, most restaurants will accept payments by card. It is important to note that splitting the bill can cause some issues in some places. Some places could refuse taking payments from 5 different cards.
A typical French lunch will consist of: a starter (une entrée), such as a mixed salad, soup, some terrine or paté. A main course, (le plat principal), typically a choice of meat or fish, with potatoes, rice, pasta and/or vegetables; a cheese course (often a selection of local cheeses) and/or a dessert.
The verb payer or to pay in French is irregular and gets two conjugations, we can use one or the other with no problem, both are correct, for example: je paie and je paye, the pronunciation is different and means I pay . The Nous and Vous forms are regular.
The word ‘ Restaurant ‘ derives from the French verb restaurer, meaning to restore. It was first used in France in the 16th century, to describe the thick and cheap soups sold by street vendors that were advertised to restore your health.
BISTRO . a small informal restaurant ; serves wine.
What the waiter might say … | |
---|---|
Installez-vous | Have a seat |
Je vous écoute. | (Go ahead) I’m listening. |
Que prenez-vous ? | What are you having? |
Qu’est-ce que je vous sers ? | What can I get you? |
First things first . Ordering your food abides by that basic rule you ‘ve probably already been told since you were a kid: women order first . When the server takes orders , they ‘ll most likely go from oldest female to youngest, and then on to the men.
Everyday conversations for English learners: Ordering a meal Waiter: Hello, I’ll be your waiter today. Ralph: Yes. Anna: And I’ll have lemonade. Waiter: OK. Ralph: I think we’re ready. Waiter: How do you want the beef — rare, medium or well done? Ralph: Well done, please.
What the restaurant staff say : Hi, I’m Sue, I’ll be your server for tonight. Can I take your order, sir/madam? Are you ready to order? (We’re not ready yet) Can I take your order? Are you ready to order yet? What would you like to start with? What would you like for a starter? What do you want for the main course?
12 Must Try Foods in Paris Baguettes. Oh, the humble baguette. Croissants. Is there such a thing as the perfect croissant? Macarons. As you can see, Paris is a bread and pastry lover’s dream come true. Eclairs. Okay — one more baked good and I’ll move on to savory– promise! French cheese. Oysters. Falafel. Couscous.
7:30-11 p.m.
Basically no one in their right mind should ask for ketchup at a French dinner table or in a French restaurant unless you’re having French fries, but it still happens.