I do know that it is rude to eavesdrop... but sometimes it is impossible to resist...
It went something like this...
Mr FF and I were enjoying a quiet lunch in the village together... We sat down, said our 'bonjours' to the waitress, looked at the menu and ordered our lunch... That was about it... All pretty average when it comes to restaurant behaviour. He chose a steak and frites medium rare and I went for the pasta with pesto... All easy... Five minutes tops and we were sorted...
In comes a sweet older couple... They settle themselves into their table and reach for the menu. (I was facing them and as most French restaurants are a squeeze I couldn't help but overhear their conversation.)
The discussion started between them...
'What should I have today? I am not feeling that hungry but I must eat'... says Madame
'Of course'... replied Monsieur... 'You must keep up your strength.'
'Do you think I should have the magret de canard or the entrecote?' Madame asks...
Why don't you have the magret and I will have the entrecote? Monsieur replies diplomatically...
'I am very worried about the cuisson?' 'I like my duck breast pink, not rare and not overcooked... if it is not prepared like that it is impossible...' (You need to imagine a very, very serious face here... expressions that would indicate life or death in any other country...)
Pragmatic as ever, Monsieur suggests they call over the waitress to discuss the preparation and cooking time of the duck... (Waiters and waitresses are expected to be in the know as well as on the job in France... Lucky for Madame, she was...)
In the meantime we have received our drinks and started on our assiettes while the other couple are still discussing the merits of the menu... All the while I am relaying their conversation to Mr FF... it still amuses and delights us that the French can spend so long discussing the intricacies of a single meal... The world could be falling apart ( the euro is) but nothing will detract a Frenchman or woman from his/her stomach...
The waitress arrives at their table to take the order...
Madame, in a very concerned tone, says that she would very much like the magret de canard, it is just the thing to stimulate her poor appetite, but needs assurance that the cooking will be just to her liking. They debate the merits of rare v's pink and the disgrace of an overcooked duck breast. The waitress is entirely happy with this conversation (not a sign of impatience on her behalf) and guarantees that the chef can master this task. Monsieur decides on the entrecote as planned and furnishes his cooking instructions for the chef...
We are just about on last bites at this stage...
Next thing... just when I am thinking that all the food chat is finished... Madame takes out her mobile phone, dials and relays the duck drama to her friend on the other end. They now toss back and forth between them how a duck breast should be cooked. (I am thinking they both must be pretty expert in the kitchen...)They question whether Madame is going to manage to have it just to her liking and if it is, or is not, a good choice for lunch. At the same time Madame tells her friend to hold on so that she can relay to Monsieur all that they have discussed... (He is seriously interested and doesn't want to miss out on a word...)
I am translating rapidly to Mr FF, trying not to laugh and still amazed that they could talk about a duck breast for a good 40 minutes or more... The French talk food like I can talk fashion... without drawing breath... Even more amused, I listened as Madame told her friend what delectables were on the desert list. Remember, she was not that hungry... having a sensitive appetite... so they decided that a small tranche of tart would be her safest option... Her friend then proceeded to discuss her lunch options... she was going to pass on desert... Monsieur and Madame weren't having any of that and tried to convince her of a sweet finish... After all, it is of the utmost importance to finish a meal well... balance of flavours and all that... or so they said...
By the time Mr FF finished his espresso... their meals arrived... Madame took the first bite of her over-discussed-but-not-over-cooked duck breast and to my great relief (and the waitress and the chef)... she smiled...
I could only leave the restaurant and in true Julia Child fashion... say Bon Appetit... xv
(European readers can find Julia Child here)
this is sooo sweet and retold with such originality - just made me smile - best le
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha, thanks for this good moment, Vicky ! Absolutely, we are genetically able to talk about food for hours ! You know, how could I say... We make the difference between to feed ourselves, and to eat ! ;)
ReplyDeleteSo funny! Some of my greatest entertainment comes from eavesdropping in restaurants and shops =)
ReplyDeleteSo very French! I can just picture the scene. I must admit I have a habit of eavesdropping in restaurants - just can't help it sometimes!I would love to be at that lovely restaurant right now eating the magret de canard.
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/
I loved reading this post,just brilliant! and very funny....i have the track 'French holiday' by Rachel Portman and it really added atmosphere to your post.
ReplyDeletex
Love the Duck story and the Restaurant scene. Your observations Vickie created the mostwonderful visualisations--great. Just shows how much they enjoy the simple pleasures of life -like eating and the lengths they will go to to pursue them.Loved reading it and also liked the look of the restauarant is it in St Remy?
ReplyDeleteKeep those earwiggs coming!!
Mary.
Ha ha, GREAT story!
ReplyDeleteLove this!
ReplyDeleteThat woman and her duck were about to start annoying me but then suddenly there was a shift and when she smiled in the end I totally loved her ;-)
The French and their food, one simply has to love them.
Dear Vicki,
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming and amusing story.... Too funny as they say.
An absolutely delightful recount of your dining experience – and so very French. I felt I was a fly on the wall!
ReplyDeleteWarm wishes
A great story and ever so French! Thanks for sharing, it brought back memories of my visits.
ReplyDeleteThat is hilarious and obviously the food/chef must be impressive for these two to have been there in the first place. Compliments to you on your good taste!
ReplyDeleteClassic. Love it. Must be included in your next book! Phil xxx
ReplyDeleteOh this is too funny and cute and charming. You have to love and admire a culture that takes food so seriously! I observed similiar exchanges last time we were in Paris, not necessarily the same conversation but must talk about the menu, how things would be prepared, it is fantastic. Love it!
ReplyDeleteLove it. Very charming story Vicki.
ReplyDeleteWe overheard a similar conversation once, though not as long, about the shade of rose that the lamb should be cooked at Bistro de Paradou.
Sam
How lovely. I can see the whole scenario unfolding in my mind's eye. Here the waitress wouldn't even know how the duck was prepared, let alone how and why is should be cooked to a certain doneness.
ReplyDeleteJust perfectly precious! Thank you so much for sharing this conversation with us and for making me crave duck more than I already do everyday!
ReplyDeleteBetty
Oh Vicki,
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful story!! Oh yes I do know the French take their time to talk about food (and not only food!). I really loved your story,so taken out of the daily French life!
Beautiful!
xx
Greet
Such a wonderful story. I love to see people enjoying life like this.
ReplyDeleteLove this building too.
xoxo, Lissy
Fr girl friend advises to talk only about food at the tabel and never work.
ReplyDeleteso be it
What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing it...
ReplyDeleteVicki this is wonderful. I can hear the impatience & see the eye rolling of many of those whose lives are a race to the finish so to speak.
ReplyDeleteA gift to be able to treasure time spent and discuss ones loves & passions!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Tee hee, you made me giggle...I recognized my own countrymen/women too. Actually only French and Italian can talk about food while eating. It is so much important for us and , yes, euro can collapse but a good meal can straight lots of things. I wish you a lovely day, Rosanna
ReplyDeleteLoved this story. We lived in Brussels and these scenes played out all too well there. But, I am a serious foodie and I can totally relate. I love how meals there are something of a passion. Not hurry up, take my order, shove food in front of me and leave so we can re-fill your table. Thanks for sharing this. I enjoyed this post very much and it makes me long for a trip back to France.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to visualize this little drama with your great story telling!
ReplyDeleteBo
Oh dear, I must be getting very French! (except for the "delicate" appetite). I haven't gone as far as ringing my friends to discuss the menu yet.
ReplyDeleteI adore living in France, well I mean vicariously through you.....I always laugh because just as we are about the finish one meal, my husband is already questioning what will be on the menu for the next meal....a few hours away. I think growing up in France helped shape is bon appetite.
ReplyDeletepve
I loved this Vicki, felt like I was there with you. Love the attention to detail (yours and theirs!) and the happy end
ReplyDeletesharon
xx
A perfect story told in classic Vicki Archer style! I loved this! That little line about Monsieur furnishing his cooking instructions for the chef sent it over the top in the most delicious of ways. Thank you for making me laugh this morning. I hope this story makes its way into your next book. xo Gigi
ReplyDelete..oh my...how much we can learn from others...if this were an older couple in america...i can assure you the talk and discussion and phone call would be about illness and medications and doctors and surgeries...and it would have been your appetite that would have become delicate...
ReplyDeleteOh, I love it. Vive la France! Thanks for starting my day with a smile, Vicki! I'll remember this couple the next time I'm dining out. Bon Appetite, indeed!
ReplyDeleteI could visualise this elderly couple discussing the duck, how amusing... A wonderful little story told with such panache. Thank you for making me smile.
ReplyDeleteJo x
Eliza Interiors & Design
I was transported right to your very table .... ahhh, imagination is a blessed thing
ReplyDeleteDear Vicki:
ReplyDeleteThis is simply a perfect story, I loved to collect these "little moments" I am so glad you were there to observe and share it with the rest of us. I now need to have this delicious dish for my lunch.
An adorable story ... . beautifully related.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the smile -
jjj
Great story, Vicki. Was I the only one to think Madame was un peu nevrosee (neurotic)? Woody Allen would have had a field day with this scene in a French restaurant. ;-) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeleteHeld my interest all the way through + Thanks for sharing this. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteFabulous story, Vicki..thank you for sharing that! Just another lesson in l'art de vivre, n'est-ca pas? Russian culture shares this serious approach to food..perhaps influenced by the French?
ReplyDeleteWhat a glorious building, visually, as well!
Enjoy your week, chere Vicki!
xoxo,
- Irina
At least she did get her duck breast cooked as she wished... On the trip we took to the US last summer, we took the whole family to a steak house and ordered a rare steak from the kid's menu for my youngest boy. The waitress didn't bat an eyelash but clearly someone must have thought better (what kind of parents order rare steak for their kids? French parents obviously...) as (very) well done came the steak! We got a face, not a smile, from my little one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story. I can imagine the whole thing after your good story-telling!
ReplyDeleteI was totally transported to your little restaurant and it so reminded me of one of my favorite Julia Child moments! AND made me hungry! :(
ReplyDeleteVicki! This story is PERFECTION! And so true. Hubby and I were sitting at a cafe after not having seen each other for four weeks, after twenty minutes of conversation, it slowed a bit and we became engrossed in eavesdropping on the French all around us. I know it's rude but I could not help it. They never stopped talking. It was incredible. Adamant, animated conversations... amazing.
ReplyDeleteFondly,
Angela
the Parisienne Farmgirl
Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine
Hahahahah! Thank goodness for the French and their standards and their insistence on perfection and for you for relaying such a delightful story. Vividly told!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful story Vicki! And so glad it ended well-ha! I love how you paint the scene of life in your corner France so perfectly, makes me feel as if I'm right there, a fly on the wall. Hope you are having a wonderful day!
ReplyDeletexo Mary Jo
this was wonderfully transportive...much gratitude for your lovely writings...xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story! That's what I love about eating out - observing other people. xxoo
ReplyDeleteOh Vicki,
ReplyDeleteCharming and delightfully told.
I was there with you, I could see that serious expression of utter concern on Madam's face and the nonchalance of Monsier! The patience of the waitress, imagine the eye rolling here.
What a marvellous observer you are - tell us more!!!
A lovely start to my day - thank you Vicki
Ohhhh for this luxury of time, and to be in France overhearing this delightful conversation. Can you imagine, Vicki...this is simply all they had to do at that moment, and that moment was the complete highlight of their day. For me....someday...
ReplyDeleteI love the story & the photo is delightful, too!
ReplyDeletegreat blog! It is very easy to imagine this scene. But for me I would have been discussing which wine to marry with the magret (also very important to have wine to help the delicate digestive complaint and perhaps a disgestif after the meal as well). Hmmm should we order a madiran, a cahors, a Bordeaux? Left bank ? Right Bank......might take another 45 minutes.
ReplyDeleteYou've relayed this story with a true touch of humour whilst still capturing the luxury of your surroundings; truly delightful!
ReplyDeleteAhhh smile x
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful story Vicki.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note i read this funny story at www.overheardwhat.com that i might think others would enjoy.
Guy passing another guy in a race.
Guy 1: "Oh hi how's it going...hey where's your wife?"
Guy 2: "She left me"
Guy 1: "Oh my god.. that's awful when did that happen"
Guy 2: "No literally, she ran cross country in college she's like 3 miles up ahead or somewhere. I can't keep up with her"
Cute story! I can't wait to be among the French this May to see for myself their great love of food. I have just finished reading "A Year in Provence" and it has certainly fanned the flames of my anticipation.
ReplyDeleteI would never listen in...............right! The best part of tight seating! I hope she got the meal she wanted after all that. Sounds like a wonderful trip and happy to hear you handled the ski equipment like a pro. Chat soon............have some fun news. Much love XO
ReplyDeleteOh Vicki~
ReplyDeleteHow perfectly French! Love this story!!
xxx's
Ah, that is very sweet. I love charming grand dames :)
ReplyDeleteThis post was so entertaining! You had me smiling throughout.
ReplyDeleteThis is so different from the way we Americans live. I read once that to Americans, dinner is what you do before whatever it is that you're going to do for the evening; to the French, dinner IS the evening. Sounds quite true!
xo Keri
This is hilarious! Thanks for making me laugh today :-)
ReplyDelete~ Clare x
I loved this story! Thank you for making me smile.
ReplyDeleteI loved this story! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThey need to "get a life" ! LOL
ReplyDeleteI felt as if I were there!
ReplyDeletewhat a great story. I must say I much prefer diners discuss the food than talk politics, economics or any other depressing topic. Wonder how I can make our family conversation focus on food . . .
ReplyDeleteThe friend on the phone is toooo funny!!!
Tres amusant. When we were in Paris, many years ago, we found ourselves spending hours over the simplest of lunches - even with our four children, there - one fairly young. We ate slowly. We talked. We became at least somewhat French.
ReplyDeleteThere is something in the water of that city, perhaps? And it is not ice.
How gloriously delightful...I once watched a group of very elegant Italian ladies in a cafe at Saluzzo and would have given much to be able to understand the conversation with all the hand waving, as you say bon appetit
ReplyDeleteciao lisa
I have just stumbled upon your blog, how thoroughly entertaining I find it. I lived as an expat for years and often wished I had diaried daily life. I love this particular post. I simply have to be your latest follower, I think a daily dose of your blog will do me good :)
ReplyDeleteI love this story :)
ReplyDelete