Originally Posted by
bseller
Me too! Me too!! ^
One thing to be "careful" of however, is that if one doesn't speak French, it is sometimes better to have a hotel concierge make reservations for you, since the Maitre'd doesn't like to "fill-up" the dining room with non-French speakers.
Best, Dave
Right you are. Our French is weak at best, and while we can order from the french menu and do just fine with a meal we always have the hotel concierge, or a fluent friend if we're not staying at a hotel (apartment this trip) make the reservation. By this point they know us and we're welcomed back as friends when they see us at the door (matter of fact we're headed off there for the 2nd time this trip in about half an hour). They knew our name from the reservation book, but I'm not sure he'd have made the connection on the phone in my bad french and his so so English.
BTW - I sat three inches away from Ina Garten (the barefoot contessa) 2 nights ago.