Had delicious fricassee of duck heart... little confused by how it was served.

Augustina, I'm glad to see this post. I've long thought that we need an entire section on how to eat or drink certain things in different places. The first time I had fish in a restaurant in Poland, I was presented with a plate containing one whole fish, and two forks. All other utensils were removed from the place setting.

I did eventually learn how to debone and eat a fish using only two forks (it's easy when you know how!) but it wasn't pretty.

And a few years ago my DH was stymied when he was presented with grilled prawns, split, but with their shells. We still don't know the proper way to eat those. I did learn how to eat fried artichokes while on a food tour in Rome.

Have you ever noticed Europeans in the States eating hamburgers with knife and fork? Or being faced with corn on the cob?

Oh, and it is not at all rude to not finish your beverage, whatever it may be.

Where did you have this wonderful fricassee? We're going to France this year, and I'd love to try it.

Good question, hopefully someone knows the answer. I'd assumed it comes in its own cauldron so the remainder continues to "stew" in the juices whilst you take a portion. Same with curry and caldero. But that might be entirely wrong.

I don't think I've ever left an unfinished glass - or bottle or two - of wine in my life. But, I can't see why it would be rude to do so (and wouldn't be concerned if it were, I'm paying after all).

As an aside, there was a recent food post where several said they couldn't eat offal, so it's good to hear someone promoting it!

It is never rude to not drink more than you like. Many restaurants offer different size glasses of wine or will offer small carafes. But if you have a glass of wine and just want a taste, you are paying for it, you drink what you want. Lots of dishes are served in a pot that you then serve to yourself. You just transfer the amount you want and eat it off your plate. Sometimes the serving dishes are designed to keep the dish hot as with boeuf Buirguignon and often the waiter will serve from the serving dish. As long as it isn't on the tablecloth, your lap or the floor I wouldn't worry about it. I have learned how to eat some dishes e.g. trout bleu by watching other diners tackle them.

I don't know what the empty glass ramekin would be for, but would it have worked as a spoon rest?

Nick/Janet: that's probably exactly why it was in a bowl. I never really thought much about why curry is served the same way..and never questioned it either.

Nick- This was my first time eating heart, but I eat chicken liver quite often at home so I knew I would probably enjoy it. Offal is a great source of nutrients and often inexpensive- I also wish more people would learn to enjoy it so it's more widely available in the US...

Jane- I had a French boyfriend at one time who indeed tried to eat everything with a fork and knife..even chicken drumsticks and he also cut his spaghetti into pieces with his knife! The latter horrified me for some reason. ;-)

Laura- That's definitely possible!

The only issue with leaving a half glass of wine, if it was your one and only, is leaving the impression that it was bad or not to your taste, same with a partially eaten dinner. You would want to complement the house on the fine food and wine if you wanted to leave a good impression and it was applicable. If it were your 3rd glass of wine, then no issues.

In general though, there are many cultures where leaving food or drink has negative and positive connotations, leaving an empty glass in some cultures is rude, implying that the host was cheap or did not give you enough, or if during the dinner that you want more, so you are right to ask.