I've cruised on an American ship and also on a ship that caters exclusively for us Brits. Much of the food was similar, much was different! It's hard to put it into words, but the respective Menu's would not reveal all of the differences. For example, the way that the food was prepared was sometimes different.

I must admit that I did prefer the food aimed at us Brit's. It's probably a Cultural thing. I've heard American's call British food 'bland'. I might call some American food 'over rich'.

Another example is that to my way of thinking American's have an obsession with ice in their drinks. To many Brits ice is not particularly important - to the point I don't care how many cubes, sometimes I prefer none at all. I always ask the cabin steward not to fill my ice bucket - it's a waste of time. On Celebrity, the steward has to fill it, even if you don't want it! It is that important!

Paddy.

My husband is European - When we married, he'd never had a curry - a dish I'd grown up with. Took me about 3 years to get him to the 'mild' plateau! - now he feels cheated if we don't have pappadums, chutney and all the trimmings!! - We're at the 'hot' stage! (Food-wise!). He's still addicted to rich sauces with all meat dishes and, for dessert, nothing is complete unless accompanied or covered in whipped or butter cream…he's 5'11" and weighs 160lbs. - soakin' wet! - never gains an ounce!

I laugh about it, but many Americans seem unable to exist without Tomato Ketchup. I shuddered at a dinner one night featuring Beef Wellington - the fellow on my left demanded 'ketchup'! There was a delay but the 'ketchup' was delivered and devoured! To each his own - I'm a mustard lover!

I've lived in Canada for many years now and have acquired a taste for bacon, eggs, sausage, pancakes and maple syrup - to my knowledge, unheard of in the UK!

Unique mixture of choices?

Note: Whiskey and Whisky! There is a difference!

1 In the USA, a "well done" steak means it has been in the vicinity of a cooker for no more than 15 seconds. Ask for a "medium" and the thing will still have a pulse!
2 What are grits, as in the phrase "Shut up and eat your grits."?

quote:

---

Originally posted by sread:
American food always raises two questions for me.

1 In the USA, a "well done" steak means it has been in the vicinity of a cooker for no more than 15 seconds. Ask for a "medium" and the thing will still have a pulse!
2 What are grits, as in the phrase "Shut up and eat your grits."?

PS I'm not knocking it -- I love burgers and 'dogs, and the Ruth's Chris restaurants do the best steaks in America as long as you order them right!!

---

Hi - you forgot 'rare' - it's still bleeding and hoping to escape!

Grits - has less taste than Scottish porridge - and I'm Scottish!

Question - In Toronto we have a Ruth's Chris restaurant - no question, the steaks are great - anything comparable in the UK?

Having traveled extensively through Asia, thanks to Uncle Sam, I am bent toward Asian food, but Yankee food does have its charm. I think we stress convenience over anything else. I envy other cultures because they place more emphasis on preparation, and then sitting down and actually enjoying the meal with loved ones, as opposed to the "eat and run" thing us Yanks seem to do a lot of.

As has been said before, a lot of "American" dishes have their roots in other countries, like pizza (Italy), hamburger (Germany). Even fried chicken and potato salad is a European food originally, Americans just made it better .

Criticize it you might, but nothing comes close to "grits" and scrambled eggs with some cheddar cheese. I grew up on it, and I am not a skinny man (6 ft, 200 lbs).

sweet tasting bread and not a great choice of fresh fruit and vegetables and too many fries, that was my impression when in the states.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rex:
Yankee Pot Roast? Fried Chicken? Catfish?

Having traveled extensively through Asia, thanks to Uncle Sam, I am bent toward Asian food, but Yankee food does have its charm. I think we stress convenience over anything else. I envy other cultures because they place more emphasis on preparation, and then sitting down and actually enjoying the meal with loved ones, as opposed to the "eat and run" thing us Yanks seem to do a lot of.

As has been said before, a lot of "American" dishes have their roots in other countries, like pizza (Italy), hamburger (Germany). Even fried chicken and potato salad is a European food originally, Americans just made it better .

Criticize it you might, but nothing comes close to "grits" and scrambled eggs with some cheddar cheese. I grew up on it, and I am not a skinny man (6 ft, 200 lbs).

[This message has been edited by Rex (edited 12-08-2000).]

---

This attorney I used to work for gave me a shoo-fly pie from the Dutch country once. I ate half of it and placed it in my cabinet at work and forgot all about it.