foodie, falafal, fast-casual restaurant

[vil]

Dear teachers,

There is an excerpt from an article from NYT "Where to Eat? A New Restaurant Genre Offers Manhattan More Choices". Much to my regret I read again a few new and misunderstood words (please the the marked by bold type words).

"Amid the toe-to-toe traffic and camera-twirling tourists , people who work in Manhattan face on agreeable decision in the middle of each day, what to eat?

The endless choices -from franks to falafel to fillet mignon - have tried a work force of epicures. "The majority of New Yorkers are foodie; said Robert Angeline board chief of the Epicurus Group, consulting to the restaurants and hotel industries. "They don't just eat it, they know it."

Over the past decades, several dozen national chains have established a new category in the mental "where should we-eat" list. Called fast-casual restaurant, hey are a hybrid of the quick service restaurant industry with aspects of fast food chain like McDonald's and casual chains like Applebees's, generally serving fresh food made on the spot for take out or sit-down dining.

I have superficial knowledge for the marked above words so I will pleased from every yours explanation.

Would you explain to me the difference between the foodie and gourmet?

Thank you in advance for your efforts.

Regards.

V.

[Ouisch]

Dear teachers,

There is an excerpt from an article from NYT "Where to Eat? A New Restaurant Genre Offers Manhattan More Choices". Much to my regret I read again a few new and misunderstood words (please the the marked by bold type words).

"Amid the toe-to-toe traffic and camera-twirling tourists , people who work in Manhattan face on agreeable decision in the middle of each day, what to eat?

Toe-to-toe traffic indicates pedestrian, rather than automobile, traffic. People on foot crowded together.

The endless choices -from franks to falafel to fillet mignon - have tried a work force of epicures. "The majority of New Yorkers are foodie; said Robert Angeline board chief of the Epicurus Group, consulting to the restaurants and hotel industries. "They don't just eat it, they know it."

"Franks" is just another word for "hot dog." Falafel is a Middle Eastern dish made of fava beans or chickpeas (or a combination of the two) mixed with onions and spices and then deep-fried. A "foodie" is a person who loves to dine out, and has very specific taste. However, a foodie is a snob in an entirely different way than a gourmet is. A gourmet would never dream of eating a hot dog purchased from a sidewalk vendor, while a foodie will try several different hot dogs from different vendors and then offer his opinion as to which was the best.

Over the past decades, several dozen national chains have established a new category in the mental "where should we-eat" list. Called fast-casual restaurant, hey are a hybrid of the quick service restaurant industry with aspects of fast food chain like McDonald's and casual chains like Applebees's, generally serving fresh food made on the spot for take out or sit-down dining.

A fast casual restaurant has similar service to McDonald's, in that you order your food at a counter and carry it to your table by yourself, but the food is usually served on real (non-disposable) plates and real cutlery (not plastic) is provided. The food selection is usually of a higher quality than a typical fast-food chain. Many fast casual restaurants specialize in organic or "health" foods.

[vil]

Hi Ouisch,

Thank you for your whimsical explanations.

I was struck dumb with surprise. Your reply is an accurate description and comprehensible elucidation of the matter to me.

Thank you again for your endeavor and selflessness.

Regards.

V.