As any experienced traveler knows, an
authentic native dish partaken of in a foreign country can be every
bit as enlightening as a sightseeing tour of the nation’s
landmarks. The catch is knowing what to order from a menu in the
native language.
Good news: A series of handy mini-guides from the language
experts at Berlitz (
www.berlitzbooks.com; $3.95 each) has been published
with the specific aim of helping English speakers translate menus
abroad.
At present, guides covering the cuisines of France, Germany,
Italy and Spain are available; new editions for additional
countries are being prepared for release in the near future.
The small booklets, designed to comfortably fit into a wallet
or a purse, provide the correct pronunciation for many of the
culinary delights awaiting diners from appetizers to desserts and
everything in between as well as the language needed for tasks such
as asking for the check and toasting your host.