Trouble Ordering In Italian Or French?

[100%Disney]

I like trying the different restaurants at Epcot, but I don't like trying to order in a foreign language when I'm not sure how to pronounce some of the words. How do others handle this? I hate to sound ignorant, but I only took one year of Spanish and that was many moons ago.

 

[kamik86]

Italian I can generally pronounce fine but French I fail at miserably. The easy way at Disney... just order by the description.

Some of the restaurants even repeat what you ordered by the description to be sure that is what you wanted (I noticed Teppan Edo does this, I studied Japanese for a bit, not well enough to really speak it but more then enough to pronounce the words right but when I order the Nihanbashi they always confirm that I wanted the steak and chicken dinner.)

 

[sissy_ib]

If I don't know how to pronounce something on the menu I just give the description and if the waiter is not sure of what I am asking for I point it out.

 

[quirty30]

I do my best to pronounce it, and then if the server still doesn't understand, I point at the menu. I do better at Les Chefs de France than I do at Via Napoli. Could be I retained a little of the 2 years of French I had in junior high school. I also find that the waiters at Les Chefs are more adept at English than the ones at Via Napoli. But I find them all equally charming : )

 

[100%Disney]

Thanks for the tips. I'm sure the wait staff is used to people just pointing or giving descriptions.

 

[OKW Lover]

A really good way to win points with your server and educate yourself at the same time is to point to the item and ask the server how its pronounced. Then repeat it a few times to be sure you have it. The servers appreciate that you're interested in learning something of their land.

 

[julie4423]

I'm really not worried about looking foolish, so I always try to pronounce it just for fun. It always strikes up a conversation with the waiter/waitress, and those are by far the most interesting conversations I have at WDW. I talk to everyone that I possibly can, and my kids get the biggest kick out of how many friends I make. Life is too short to worry about the small stuff!

 

[100%Disney]

A really good way to win points with your server and educate yourself at the same time is to point to the item and ask the server how its pronounced. Then repeat it a few times to be sure you have it. The servers appreciate that you're interested in learning something of their land.

Great tip! I'll try that when we go a Christmas. My kids would probably enjoy that as well.

 

[MickeyNicki]

When in doubt, point to the item on the menu

 

[TDC Nala]

If you don't want to order in the language, order in English. Point the dish out on the menu if you feel like that would help. I am sure they do take into account that these restaurants are not actually in Italy or France.

 

[eliza61]

I like trying the different restaurants at Epcot, but I don't like trying to order in a foreign language when I'm not sure how to pronounce some of the words. How do others handle this? I hate to sound ignorant, but I only took one year of Spanish and that was many moons ago.

LOL. I was in Paris this past May and had absolutely no trouble ordering. You'll be fine in Epcot.

 

[100%Disney]

Yeah, I'm sure I'm being silly worrying about it, but I also didn't want my DD10 or my DS17 to feel uncomfortable. Although it seems as if I'm the spokeswoman for the whole family. They tell me what they want and expect me to order it for them. I think this is a perfect opportunity to force them into doing their own ordering.

 

[kaybird]

One of my most fun experiences was in the San Angel restaurant. We were celebrating my cousin's 50th b'day, and I always like to shake out my jr high spanish, so greeted the gentelmanly waiter in Spanish. ( to the amusement of my cousins and DH) He smiled appreciatively, said "Espanol- Muy bien" then asked me to count backwards in Spanish from 15. I managed it, and was rewarded with clapping and a complimentary juice (or some kind of beverage) It was a lot of fun, and my group still talks about it!

Having said that, most of the CM's in the various countries speak English better than we do, so ordering is never a problem!

 

[DeborahA]

We love Chefs de France and always seem to get the most handsome server. I love to explore different foods and cultures so I always ask for the correct pronounciation--after I try to order in bad french. They are always happy to do so and we usually get into a discussion about their country--all part of the experience.

 

[pooch]

and using my high school/college French in an accent pronounced flawless 35 years ago . I usually manage four or five full sentences before I run out of things to say!!!

 

[jlk806]

If I cant pronounce it, I point to it!!

 

[morganw]

"I'm not sure how to pronounce this..." and point. If you're feeling brave, try to sound it out. I promise they won't laugh! Chances are the waitstaff are used to it