Ok, maybe i wasn't clear enough. I just meant there is a level of sophistication in europe you just cannot find in the US, i don't speak about sushis, they're better in the US, i don't speak about steaks, they're better in the US (albeit full of hormones, but that's a different story), and i don't speak about the intrisicly different cusines you'll find over the world, as they are finally a matter of taste. No i speak about that exceptionnal meals you can have, and the imagination, the delicacy you can find there. I don't have a US equivalent for a El Bulli, or Marc Veyrat, or Michel Bras, or Ph. Rochat in mind. For M3 dude, fun, my wife (from Romania) used to live in Fribourg for quite some time.
First of all, do you mean a small town in Nebraska? Omaha is a city, bud. That having been said, what do you consider to be "decent food"? This is like telling me what music I should listen to; it's baseless opinion. If you're looking for a certain type of food, then what makes it "decent"? Explain in detail. Hmm, let's see...Switzerland is 41,285 km² (thanks, wikipedia), while the US is 9,631,418 km². Hell, even the state of Nebraska is bigger than that hole in the wall (199,099 km²). I'll leave the population density figures to you. I suppose (especially in the heartland) that there is a whole lotta nothin' for mile after mile. You might find it tough to find somewhere to spend $100 to feed 2 people, much less $300 per person. But let's face it, that's really what it's about, am I right? $$$ = "decent food" There's that "good" modifier again. What constitutes good? Don't tell me the atmosphere or whether or not they fluffed your seat enough, we're talking straight food here (see the topic title if you get confused). Some of the best food I've ever had cost me less than $20, but it likely wouldn't impress your kingly palate. I seem to recall my mother making a superb breakfast, but then she does have some french in her somewhere down the line. Now really, if you had a greasy breakfast that's a shame, but if they sat something down in front of you that looked like the picture on the front of some cookbook, would it really taste that much better?
I spend a considerable amount of time in the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland and Czech Republic. I would say almost 50-50 between here in the US and in Europe. The food in Europe is simply exquisite.
I ate GREAT steaks here in Switzerland and Awsome in Canada. One of the best chef's in the world retaurant is in Switzerland (Freddy Girarde, now retired) Alain Ducasse is French. This discussion is pointless, there are great restaurants on both sides of the Atlantic, however it is safe to assume that cheap restaurants are better in Europe. Quality of base ingridieants is better too. (Swiss milk blows away any chemical crap from NA).
none of you i take it have had a genuine Pats Cheesesteak from South Philly, once you have one you never go back. I remember reading somewhere that whenever Tyra Banks is in town she has Pats cheesesteaks for lunch and dinner everyday cause they are so delicious, and this is someone who has travelled the world many times over. but the food in Italy was damn good.
I spent almost a year in europe(mostly) in the mid 70s and I didn't note food there was any better than food in the USA. In fact, good southern cooking is MUCH BETTER than anything I ate in europe.
mediteranean cuisine owns all!!! what i liked more about southern european food was the way its eaten and ingredients tend to be more natural. The whole big lunch, small supper thing is amazing, go figure why the girls are hott and skinny and obesity is not a huge factor. in terms of freshness,home made feel etc.. europe is better. it really depends on what you were braught up with and personal preferences. While living in italy, i never missed the huge bacon and eggs breakfast and much preferred a Brioche with an espresso and biscotti
what's funny people in Europe are alot Healthier then the people in the United States....Food is Europe is more Natural in general......food is expensive to get from long distances away and tend to be grown more locally and in more smaller batches, and not mass produced on manufacturing farms like they are done here.....they don't seem to have pestacide problem like we do over here........it is cheaper for us to get produce here then it is to get in Europe due to long distances and taxes (VAT).......cheese is better tasting in france then it is here, that is in general.....butter tastes better in europe then it does here......obviously food like that can be found here, but the problem is, looking for it......and frankly people would rather settle for a McD's a mile away then a nice Bistro 6 miles away......... tastes potatos in Europe and potatos here and you can tell the difference, taste chicken in europe and taste the chicken here, you can tell which is better hands down......
dunno. been around the world a few times. good food depends on what you are looking for. i try to eat what is best in that location. when i am in newport, i eat lobster and clam chowder at the black pearl, when i am in houston i go to good comapny for bbq, etc there are plenty of great restos in the usa for all types of food and wallets. the biggest difference between europe and usa is the consistancy of finding something good when you dont know where to go and dont want to spend a fortune. the hands down best bet for good food anywhere anytime is italy - you have to go out of your way to find a bad meal. france is next in line. i am a big foodie, so i am constantly looking through the guide books and michelin guide for the best places to eat wherever i am going, and you can find good food nearly everywhere.
One thing I do love about European dining is that Europeans seem to "relax and enjoy". Here, when we go out for a meal that we pay a decent sum, we seem to rush and rush. Over in Europe, its a whole experience of being with people, talking, drinking wine or beer or whatever and eating good food.
I guess in a good restaurant they serve the table once per service (that is nobody will use the table before or after you for lunch for example), while in the states it's 2-3 times, at least.
I dont know about European food but southern California deosn't hold a candle to New Orleans. I think NYC also pales in comparison.
I love American food. I love "Americanized" Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and Japanese food. And you can't beat that hybrid French/Californian stuff...
Just returned from Europe...from Monte Carlo, Nice, Cannes, St. Paul and finally Paris.. Living in New York we have excellent restaurants but I feel the difference is the attitude. In America we want it now then eat and run. Rush for the food and the check but in Europe the attitude is relaxed. Here the waiters are rushing to give us the bill for the next customer but in france the waiters didn't want us to leave
Not true. There are tremendous restaurants everywhere. They just don't aspire to be over-priced hot-spots for the trend chasers, so anybody who doesn't live in the area probably wouldn't know about them. What I've never been into is the "pageantry" of dining. We took clients to the studio room at Charlie Trotter's a few years ago, and these schmucks were blowing their loads over the whole "ambience" and "presentation"--basically they liked feeling catered to. Well, the food was decent, but I'm not a fan of spending $300/person to be fed one hors d' ouvre every half hour. We very much enjoyed dining out in France, but again my wife and I searched out lesser-known spots recommended by locals. My favorite was just enjoying some bread, cheese and wine.
