Labeling begun

As of next week the labeling of fresh, home-made food will be labeled specifying food such as hand-made meaning frozen pre-sliced potatoes can no longer be cooked with the designation of home made.  Each item on the menu will be designated as to what is home-made.  Should be fascinating to see what will be worth eating.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/france-battles-against-bad-restaurant-food-092626013.html

Another non-french term - French dip sandwich

Depending on who you ask apparently there are two restaurants in LA claiming ownership of the French dip which is clearly not French.  It is a sandwich "au jus" meaning in the sauce, and the roast beef sandwich does get dripped.  One restaurant claims it started in error and given to a police officer in a hurry by a French immigrant chef, while the other claims it relates for an older customer with dental problems.  Either way, it is a French dip sandwich that doesn't come from France, although it is nice that France gets the credit.

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/ive-loved-french-dip-sandwiches-since-i-was-a-91549257017.html

Pizza trucks galore

In nearly every town in southern France there seems to be at least one Pizza truck in the town square i n addition to other places depending on the size of the town and truck.  They have their designated spot, day, time.  Some are so regular they open up and place tables and chairs on the sidewalks and settle in for the evening regardless of weather.  What is most interesting is the style of regulations or lack thereof.  A gas or diesel powered truck which contains a wood-burning pizza oven burning even on the hottest summer days, along with their refrigeration units throwing off even more heat.  Rather impressive for anyone to tolerate and not blow up their truck with the open fire burning and cooking an authentic pizza, better than nearly anything we can find in the USA.

Hot restaurants in Paris 2014

Here are a few new ones.  Look fabulous but think fashion week would be tough time to get reservations as we had one time where a hotel reservation could not be found anywhere, even in the least expensive hotel.

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/07/11/top-dining-destinations-in-paris-couture-week-fall-winter-2014/?hpw&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=HpHedThumbWell&module=well-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well

Avignon on the edge

As anyone who travels to France knows, a strike is possible at any time affecting almost anything and everything.  So now that the transit workers have gone back to work, the theater workers are agitating and effecting the summer theater fetes including Avignon.  Several productions for this evening were canceled and this strike may affect festivals throughout France this summer.  So be warned, check before going to see if the curtain will go up on your show.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/protests-mar-opening-french-theater-festival-24425451