The artistic doggy bag at Commander's Palace, one of the best restaurants in New Orleans (which is saying something)
A malicious gourmet I know here was regaling the party with the story of an unfortunate American lady who dined alone at one of the great Paris restaurants.
"She couldn't eat all her food, so she asked if they would save it for her in a doggy bag. Naturellement, you don't do that in France [ça ne se fait pas], much less in a Michelin three-stars! So they put the dessert on the bottom, and then put the meat and the sauce on top of it and gave it to her in a nice package." He laughed and laughed. "Can you imagine, when she got home and opened the package!"
I was heartened to see that my friend Olivier looked indignant. "All the same that was very cruel to an older woman, especially one who was alone," he said. "It was not correct. I don't approve."
Of course Americans are used to doggy bags, even in the nicest restaurants. But one reason is that pretty much all American restaurants just give you too much food. One way or the other, you shouldn't ask for a doggy bag in France.
