"<RJ>" > wrote in message
news
> It's a common scene in food commercials.
> Bucolic scene, filtered sunlight, the ristorante
> serving "food to die for" usually in Tuscany.
>
> I know we have that setting in hundreds of
> places in the U.S. , but if you go into town
> for a meal, chances are your choice will be
> between a McDonalds, or the local "deep fryer" diner.
>
> Is superb Euro-cuisine a myth ?
> If so, how do they keep it that way ?
>
> What does the Italian, or Frenchman pay
> for dinner in a restaurant ? ( I'm not talking gourmet )
>
> If you want to go a step above McDonalds, Arby's etc,
> you get a "chain restaurant".... Olive Garden, TGIF,
> Applebees, etc. etc.
>
> Can a small town restaurant serve good food
> AND make a financial go of it too ??

Much of Europe has good dining compared to the US. The American chains are
making progress, but the small towns still have family owned restaurants
that serve good food. You are more likely to find them in Italy, Spain,
France from my experience than Scandinavian countries, but that may be more
of my food preference. Good wine is more abundant than the US and cheaper
in most cases.

Food is just a bit more expensive that the US but the ingredients are more
likely to be locally grown and hand prepared. Grocery stores are different
in selection too. Less frozen, less processed foods, but still a fair amount
of prepared on premises foods. You can buy bread in smaller quantities,
like a half or quarter loaf. Slice white bread is only a tiny portion of
the bread shelf. Fish will probably be a whole fish instead of pretty
little fillets.
Mort.