sharing dinner

Hi Mike: It's a good question and has been asked several times in the last few months and here's one of those prior discussions: clickSeveral European residents thought it has the potential for leading to unpleasantness in Paris, others thought maybe you could get away with it. Many pointed out that portions in Paris restaurants are much smaller than here and, even if they let you do it without charging you for two meals, you might walk out hungry. They're different about food and restaurants in Paris--cultural differences.

Hi Mike,
... This is just my small observation:- In Paris, the usual entrée at an upscale restaurant is often not enough for one. However, there are places where you can eat and eat and eat ad infinitum... click on the "Eating!" icon at the link below... copy + paste the link into your Internet address box then hit ENTER.

http://troi.cc.rochester.edu/~tdip/tomsguidetoparis.htm

Mike, my 2 cents will sound like the others...
The portions at Paris are perfect for 1 person... even if you are a delicate eater.

If you do share, I would not eat in a nice restaurant, as its a bit tacky. Instead, get items from a take away place, and share it outside as a picnic.

I think a key phrase in your post is

"nice restaurant"

I would never share an entree in a nice restaurant here or in Paris.
In a cafe or bistro fine go for it, but only if you at least each order one other course each. In a cafe you are not required to eat most times anyways. In a casual restaurant or bistro they won't usaully care, but in a " nice" restaurant they will consider you rude and ill mannered since going to a nice restauarant is supposed to be a civilized activity, not passing plates back and forth and cutting food in half, etc..

As I said, it really depends on what you mean by " nice"... white cloths, candle light, Michelin stars etc,, or just one step up from a Dennys,LOL??

Hi Mike,

First, remember that the "entree" list in France contains no main dishes. The entree list contains the same items as "appetizers" in the USA.

Main dishes will be listed under "plat principale."

I'd recommend you do some reading so that you thoroughly understand the difference between a French cafe, a brasserie, and a restaurant!

Having a nice lunch is considered "sacred" in France, and can easily take over an hour.

A "nice" dinner in Paris will easily take 3 hours or more. (So, you will need your own meal).

Bon appetit!

PS. As for sharing food at the table in Paris, don't even think about it!