Page 27 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

Where to Eat 25

Above left Glass bar sign in Bordeaux Above middle Crêperie in Le Faou, Bretagne Above right Restaurant sign in Hautvillers, Champagne-Ardenne
nonexistent, with crêperies (serving throughout the day. As well as DIRECTORY
savoury and sweet pancakes) and serving refreshments, they are a
pizzerias the best option. good source of local information and
PRICE BANDS
provide the traveller with endless
Bistros and Brasseries opportunities to observe the French The following price bands are based
on a three-course meal for one,
Bistros are the quintessential French at their most relaxed. including, half-bottle of house wine,
dining choice – small, relatively Wine bars (bars à vin) are less cover charge, tax and service:
informal, and generally offering common in France than you might
inexpensive: under €20;
good, home-cooked, moderately imagine, except in wine regions and moderate: €20–€40;
priced meals. They vary enormously, larger towns. They offer wines by the expensive: over €40
from simple places with paper cloths glass as well as the bottle, and
and napkins, where you may be usually a choice of light dishes.
expected to keep your knife and fork
between courses, to fashionable Picnics
“annexes” of upscale restaurants. Picnicking is a great way to enjoy
Brasseries originated in Alsace as regional produce – local cheeses and
brewery alehouses, but are now cured meats, fresh-baked baguettes
found all over France. Usually large and pastries, and ripe seasonal fruit.
and bustling, they typically serve Picnic areas are common and are
shellfish platters, grills and Alsatian furnished with tables and chairs. You
specialities like choucroute garnie will see entire French families dining
(sauerkraut with sausage and ham). here, complete with linen and glass-
They offer beer on tap as well as ware. Every village in France has
wine and are normally open and either a boulangerie or a bread van
serving all day and evening. that visits at least once a day. For
hams and pâtés, visit a charcuterie. Below far left People sitting under umbrellas
Cafés and Bars A traiteur sells cooked items like at an open-air café in Alsace Below left
These are the very soul of France, quiches as well as a range of pre- Tomatoes on sale in the Antibes market
ranging from celebrated literary and pared salads such as céleri remoulade Below middle left Olives on sale in the
artists’ haunts to the local café-tabac. (grated celeriac in a mustardy Antibes market Below middle right Bottle of
Everywhere but the tiniest hamlet mayonnaise). Of course, if you are cassis, a blackcurrant liqueur Below right
can be counted upon to have a lucky enough to arrive somewhere Sign for vineyards in Côtes de Beaune,
variation on this theme, serving on market day, all of your picnic Bourgogne Below far right Interior of a bar
simple meals, snacks and drinks needs will be satisfied. in the Champagne region