What is it about the movie Ratatouille that makes people ravenous? Every time I pop it in the kids come a runnin’, wanting me to make them something to eat. My son is sitting here practically drooling, asking me why the name Gusteau sounds so good. I have to admit, the movie makes me hungry as well, especially the part where the Janeane Garofalo character squeezes the crispy loaf of french bread. Besides the movie making me foam at the mouth, it also makes me want to take a direct flight to Paris, the most wonderful city in the world. Ahhhh. Paris, the City of Light. I cannot explain the appeal of this city. Part of it is their laid back attitude, something I can definitely relate to. Another thing to appreciate is the food.
One thing I love is the dining experience and that’s exactly what it is, an experience. You go into a french restaurant and you are there for hours. French dining is about the celebration of life. The conversation and the long drawn out tasting of food through several courses gives the diner a chance to fulfill every wish of his taste buds while engaging in deep conversation.
When you sit down you are given an aperitif, usually a glass of wine with some kind of syrup. The french love their syrup. My favorite is geranium syrup which I can’t seem to find anywhere. I’ve looked. Next you get a choice of an appetizer. I remember choosing pate which is not for everyone but I like it. One thing that they love to throw on their food is aspic. I’m not crazy about this jelly-like substance that they are so fond of. Luckily it’s not that hard to scrape off unless the food is actually floating in it like fruit in Jello. Fortunately the rest of their culinary delights make up for this faux pas.
Next comes the main course, which is usually a meat dish, or escargot, if you really call that meat, served with a side dish. Either way, I’ll pass on the snail. I chose the chicken and pasta though I can’t remember much about it. However one thing that I remember quite clearly is the escargot. I will never forget watching a German couple sitting there with their pots of snail looking so miserable. There were just looking at each other with frowns on their faces like they couldn’t believe what had been served to them. Why they both ordered the same thing I do not know. A few minutes later the offending snail was taken away and replaced with something else more palatable. Escargot is definitely not for everybody. Everyone I know that has tried it has liked it but I can’t bring myself to taste it. Maybe next time.
Next comes the dessert. A rich chocolatey mousse comes to mind. Really that’s all that comes to mind. Sometimes the french eat cheese as a dessert. That just doesn’t cut it with me and my insatiable sweet tooth but, then again, I am an American. We want sugar on top of sugar. There is a reason they are so slim and we are so not. Then an an espresso follows with a small cookie.
After all is said and done and a few hours have passed, you have the feeling of being perfectly satisfied without that stuffed feeling that is so common in other cuisines, notably Mexican and Italian. It’s the perfect balance. The french are known for using a ton of butter and fat in their cuisine. They serve a lot of very small portions of very rich food, another reason the french are so petite. They eat butter, chocolate and bread seemingly without end while the Americans are perpetually on a diet with their fat free food and are the fattest people on the planet. We call this the French Paradox. They know when and how much of something to eat. The main key here is portion control, something we Americans don’t know the meaning of. That’s not the point of this story but it did bear a mention in this post about french dining. I hope you have at least gleaned a little from this little post. Well, I’m off. Bon Soir 
Omg, I’m so hungry now! You ought to be a food critic or writer. Thank you for the memory trip down Paris lane. The food was SO good, and the company, and the wine with every meal. Lots of wine.
And music. And laughter and merriment. 
Even the children drink wine though not the way we drink it. Must go back there one day.
I have only been there once but it left a big impression. I see you loved it too. Who did you go with?
My mom, my brother, and about 25 other people on a Cosmo’s 3 week bus tour through Europe. Have you been to Italy yet? Lots of good food, good times, and more wine. Always the wine!
And spaghetti is not the main course, it is just the beginning of much more to come.
I went twice this year. I do like Italy. I would like to go to Rome sometime. Have you been there?
At the Vatican, I have walked the same ground as Popes in Saint Peter’s Square; ascended to the top of Saint Peter’s Basilica for a grand view of the Vatican and Rome; and, stood underneath Michelangelo’s ‘The Last Judgement’ admiring his work in the Sistine Chapel. Also, in Rome, I have seen with my own eyes the Colosseum in all it’s awesomeness during the evening hours, walked (ran) through the passageways underground in the catacombs, and threw a quarter into the Fontana de Trevi (or Trevi Fountain) and made a wish. No, I do not remember what I wished for, but I will never forget those experiences for all of my life.
What a great experience. You are very lucky to have gone. I can’t wait to visit the catacombs in Rome. I visited the ones in Paris.The long, narrow passageway in made me a bit anxious but once I got down through it I was okay. Rome is next on my list
I have only been to Europe once and that was with my mother and brother. I was only 16. Wish I had been older! You would have found me wandering up and down the streets well into the night. It made a huge impression on me. I will never forget!
You are lucky your mom took you. I didn’t get to go until I was in my 30′s.
Yes indeed, some people haven’t even been out of this state. When I come to see you, we’ll have to go Paris. How far of a drive is it?
I would love that Cindy. It only takes a few hours.
One day, my friend, one day.
Mom says we should take the train, traffic in Paris is terrible.
We parked our car and took public tranport. I wouldn’t bother driving.