Belt-tightening At The Bistro

Written by Admin on October 1, 2008 – 3:11 am -

It seems the credit crunch is beginning to hit the French in the stomach.

Eating out in France has always been an important part of everyday life, but there’s growing evidence that the café culture is becoming a victim of the economic downturn.

According to the respected French newspaper, Le Figaro, custom at restaurants fell by between 10 and 30 per cent in the first quarter of the year, forcing 3,000 cafes and restaurants out of business. Owners say that as well as money being tight, regulars have been chased away by the ban on smoking.

It seems French diners are skipping the traditional aperitif, requesting tap water and doing without their beloved shot of espresso. Some are simply skipping courses to save money – and Le Figaro says that’s a policy that will earn them short shrift from proprietors. It quoted one case in which a couple were thrown out by the furious owner of a Paris restaurant because they declined to order starters. “How do you expect me to get by?” he reportedly shouted after them.

Office workers are increasingly buying take-away baguettes and supermarket lunches, and the current situation has prompted the rise of le hamburger. Once considered an undesirable American import, it’s now more popular than ever as it costs less than the traditional steak.

Restaurant and bar owners were already reeling from a poor summer with fewer international tourists visiting Paris, especially Americans and Japanese.

And there was more shock news for the French food and drink industry last week with the suggestion that its fiercely protected champagne was not, in fact, invented by the Benedictine monk, Dom Perignon. A new book claims the technique was developed by seventeenth century cider-makers in the English west country - long before Dom Perignon was born.

by Andy Moreton

Luxique has an extensive selection of luxury and boutique hotels throughout France – including some of the best that Paris has to offer.

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