I forget to mention, but don't overlook the markets as a source of food. My Dad was a real countryman at heart, and was most impressed to find markets like the ones he remembered in England when he was young. Not only fresh poultry and vegetables, but often wonderful fish and sea food stalls - and on top of that, they had real country clothing - flat hats, wellies etc. in brands that he knew from home, but at better prices. You can often buy ready-cooked chickens or pieces of ham to eat on the spot (as well as paella, couscous etc for those with broader tastes) and this can make a very safisfactory alternative to a sit-down lunch.
guess what they have sausages and potatoes in france too! There's plenty of fresh food around and if you do your own cooking it is home made too.
We have some French people coming here on an exchange so guess what the planners are planning - fish and chips! obviously that's what we all must be eating in the UK - or at least that is what the French will be thinking.
What we often do for lunch with our picky son is a small baguette and a couple of slices of plain boiled ham. The ham's delicious, even the packaged stuff. The plain boiled ham is often called "Jambon de Paris".
There's also a chain of restaurants called Flunch. Here's their XL menu featuring burger and chips, a free choice of veg (from a heated self-service area) and a drink for 7€20. Their Express menu is burger, quarter chicken or breaded fish with veg and a drink. And they even have a video to show you what to do as you pay for your mains and then go through and have them cooked/served in front of you.
For steaks, burgers etc etc you probably need to say "bien cuit" or "très bien cuit" if your dad doesn't want it pink in the middle!
hope that helps!
Liz
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Have to disagree about the earlier comment about supermarket 'steak hache'. These are not much like our burgers in that the steak hache contain nothing but minced beef/steak and they are clearly labelled with the amount of fat contained in them (5%, 10%,15% or 20%). No cereal etc!
Supermarket chipolata sausages also compare more than favourably (meat content - wise) to many UK sausages.
Generally speaking, I would say that a French supermarket will contain a greater selection of quality food than a British equivalent (in my experience, anyway), and even things that are 'peculiarly British' can be found in the 'World Food' sections of the larger hypermarkets. Even back-bacon is now becoming commonly available! The only exception(and the only thing I take with me) are 'British-style' strong teabags - I wouldn't dream of going without my 1706 teabags!!
I agree the steak hache is shaped mince and there not cheap. We have made our own on a few occasions and there much better. We also take vacuum packed bacon from our butchers as its all streaky bacon out there. Totally agree on the Tbags too!!
There's also a chain of restaurants called Flunch. Here's their XL menu featuring burger and chips, a free choice of veg (from a heated self-service area) and a drink for 7€20. Their Express menu is burger, quarter chicken or breaded fish with veg and a drink. And they even have a video to show you what to do as you pay for your mains and then go through and have them cooked/served in front of you.
For steaks, burgers etc etc you probably need to say "bien cuit" or "très bien cuit" if your dad doesn't want it pink in the middle!
hope that helps!
Liz
Flunch usually have an extensive buffet with a lot of non-meat dishes - take as much as you like - which is obviously good for vegetarians but is also economical. Not all Flunches are the same some are better, or worse, than others but generally worth a look - superb one in Orleans!
There's also a chain of restaurants called Flunch. Here's their XL menu featuring burger and chips, a free choice of veg (from a heated self-service area) and a drink for 7€20. Their Express menu is burger, quarter chicken or breaded fish with veg and a drink. And they even have a video to show you what to do as you pay for your mains and then go through and have them cooked/served in front of you.
For steaks, burgers etc etc you probably need to say "bien cuit" or "très bien cuit" if your dad doesn't want it pink in the middle!
hope that helps!
Liz
Flunch usually have an extensive buffet with a lot of non-meat dishes - take as much as you like - which is obviously good for vegetarians but is also economical. Not all Flunches are the same some are better, or worse, than others but generally worth a look - superb one in Orleans!
Son went to a Flunch on a school trip to Paris, it's one meal he won't forget! The worst meal he's ever eaten (and he's not that fussy what he eats)
Quote: Originally posted by alan29 on 08/5/2011
Flunch - not what I go to france for.
I used to tease a work colleague, who was from Paris, that the best thing about France was the 'superb' Flunch restaurants. She told me that the equivalent in England is the motorway services of the Roadchef type.
Like Alan29, not what I'd go to France for!
------------- Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by alan29 on 08/5/2011
Flunch - not what I go to france for.
Rather missing the point of the original post, I think. The original poster was looking for suggestions as to how to cope with a person not very open to new food experiences while on holiday. Most of the suggestions that have come forward are not about what we, members of this board and experienced Francophiles, might wish to eat, but more the sort of compromise we might be able to reach in the process of trying to convert a newcomer with certain preconceived ideas. As it happens, the only time I have eaten at Flunch, I was taken there by a French friend who had vouchers from her employer to enable her to buy a cut price meal there, so I suppose you could say it was at least the sort of food the French actually eat!