THE WORLD CAPITAL OF FOOD - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - page 194

FRENCH CUISINE
Parisians love their restaurants. They love to eat in this capital
of haute cuisine, and when they're not eating, they're talking
about where to eat next. While Paris itself is not known for a
particular cuisine, the city has, luckily, taken to its heart all the
finest regional cuisines of France; what is served in the finest
restaurants is called haute cuisine or cuisine bourgeoise .
Exploring the restaurants in Paris, each with its own
approach to flavours and textures, will give you the
unparalleled opportunity to participate in what is considered
one of the world's great art forms. With some 10,000 eating
establishments in Paris, ranging from casual cafés to world-
renowned restaurants, dining within your budget is possible.
Of course, the more refined the restaurant, the higher the
price: a meal in a restaurant with Michelin 'stars' may cost
about 200 per person, wine not included, and even an

average three-course dinner in a small bistro can cost about
€

€

35, including a carafe of the vin de la maison (house wine).
Although there is little that is truly cheap in Paris, prices are
more reasonable in neighbourhood bistros and brasseries and
in the interesting Asian and North African eateries where the
food, although not as beautifully presented, can be delicious.
Consult the restaurant guides and experiment with restaurants
until you find those that please your palate—and purse.
Nouvelle cuisine , an adaptation of traditional cooking that uses
lighter foods, combinations of exotic ingredients and small