Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The easiest step is to ask whether the restaurant has a menu in English. ("Existe-t-il un menu en anglais?"). Get a French menu, too, and compare it to the English one so you learn some new French vocabulary for the next time.
If there's no English menu, ask the server about the basic ingredient in a dish. Ask: Is it beef? ("Est-il le boeuf?"); is it chicken? ("est-il le poulet?"); is it pork? (est-il la viande de porc?").That way, you won't end up with tripe.
Let the server know whether you have food allergies or preferences. Say: I'm allergic to nuts ("Je suis allergique aux noix"); or I'm a vegetarian (je suis végétarien").
Try some new foods--that's half the fun of traveling in France. Enjoy snails ("escargots") or frog legs ("cuisses de grenouilles") -- or, at the very least, a dessert such as custard with a delicious glaze ("crème brulée").
End the meal by asking for the check ("L'addition, s’il vous plaît"). If the meal was especially good, give your compliments to the chef ("Mes compliments au chef").