French Invasion

Ah, the infamous French palate; that legendary sense of culinary distinction. Who else but our European cousins could convince the world that amphibian legs were a delicacy?

But alas, all is not going so well for our gastronomic superiors. Their beloved escargots are disappearing. Their poor, sexually-confused frogs are likewise fading out – taking their limbs with them. And now, like a bizarre curse from the heavens, the adored French oysters are dropping like flies. Or at least dead oysters.

Whilst ‘rats from a sinking ship’ might be pushing the boundaries of both reality and European amity, has anyone else noticed the apparent Gallic influx?

Within a scarce couple of months, we’ve gained the excessive Frenchness of Brasserie Saint-Jacques, the culinary perfection of Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, the charm of Le Cassoulet, and the curious punctuation of Bord’eaux. Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex’s new Ambassade de l'Ile has certainly upped the ante – if only in absurdity. And whilst its cuisine errs more on the side of opulent Pan-Asian, the Parisian institution of Buddha Bar is finally opening its London doors next Thursday.

So, whilst the dearth of French delicacies may have nothing to do with our recent rise in culinary Francopresence (like omnipresence, but with a sexier accent) … if you notice a curious molluscoid deficit this summer, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

by AC

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.