文匯報互動英語教室之《餐廳篇》將帶你到中西餐廳學英文!
本集和大家飲咖啡...
Gary has been working for an Italian company for a few years and was recently promoted (升職) to Assistant Manager in January. He spent the last few months traveling from Hong Kong to Italy for work. His Italian colleagues (同事) are nice enough to introduce him to the Italian culture by taking him to restaurants, bars and concerts.
Coffee bars are one of the most impressive (印象深刻) places in Italy that Gary has visited. He thinks that Italy is a country of great variety (多元化) and coffee is an important aspect of the diversity (多方面的) of its culture. He is determined (下定決心) to bring the Italian coffee (咖啡) culture (文化) to Hong Kong and be a qualified (合資格) barista (咖啡師) one day. He understands that transplanting (引入) the Italian coffee bar culture to Hong Kong is a big challenge (挑戰) as the local market is dominated (被支配) by a few American brands (品牌). In order to minimize (減低) the risk (風險) of starting a small business, he has been going to different coffee shops in Hong Kong to understand the market before taking any further steps. His research has been aided (協助) immeasurably (不能計算地) by his friends who are coffee lovers. They keep sending him information about the latest (最新) coffee-industry trends in the world.
One day, while he was looking for the right equipment to brew (泡) coffee at home with his friend Louise, a sign (招牌) of a café caught their attention. He immediately has the impression that an attractive sign can increase the sales by attracting customers to see what you are selling. Gary and Louise decided to have a coffee in this café.
A young and polite waitress greeted Gary and Louise.
Waitress: Welcome. How many of you please?
歡迎，你們多少人?
Gary: Two please.
兩位。
Gary: Do you have coffee and cakes?
你們有咖啡和蛋糕嗎?
Waitress: Yes. We serve a large variety of coffee and cakes here.
有的。我們有很多不同種類的咖啡和蛋糕。
Gary: A cappuccino for my friend please.
我的朋友要一柸cappuccino。
Waitress: Sure, sir. How about you?
好的，先生你呢?
Gary: I’d like to have one iced lemon tea.
我想要一柸凍檸檬茶。
Louise was a big fan of cakes. They ordered a piece of cheese cake and a cool, refreshing (提神的) Italian dessert called tiramisu (一種義大利著名甜點，用咖啡及甜酒泡過分層海綿蛋糕，在各層之間塗有巧克力及義大利特產的mascarpone乳酪). She saw a customer having a British breakfast in the café and told Gary that full breakfast was traditionally served at breakfast time but it was also popular at other times.
Louise had never been to Italy and was very curious about Gary’s experience there. Gary introduced the most common types of Italian coffee to her. They were:
Caffè/ Espresso – a small cup of very strong coffee. The foam topped on the coffee is called "crema”.
Caffè latte – Coffee with hot milk
Cappuccino - a shot of espresso in a larger cup with steamed milk and foam
Caffè macchiato - also known as espresso macchiato, is espresso marked with a little milk
The history of coffee in Italy dated back to the 1600s. Coffee was exported from Turkey to Europe, landing for the first time in Venice (威尼斯). The first coffee shop in Venice was opened in 1683. During the latter half of the 17th century, coffee consumption spread to Italy, France, England and Germany. Coffee is now one of the most popular beverages in the world. The Italians like to follow their meals with a dessert and ended with a strong espresso.
Needless to say, Louise was very impressed with Gary’s profound (深入) knowledge (知識) of the Italian coffee culture. Louise told Gary that she saw a wide variety of tea types and flavours in London. The English enjoyed tea with milk and Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka was one of the most popular kinds of tea in England. She was surprised to know that this café served eight different kinds of tea including the Hong Kong-style milk tea!
It’s almost 5 o’clock…
Gary: Can I have the bill please?
我們要結帳。 (即廣東話”埋單”)
Waitress: Sure.
沒問題。
Gary: Do you take credit cards?
你們接受信用卡付款嗎?
Waitress: I am sorry sir, we only accept cash. Thank you!
先生對不起， 我們只接受現金。
Gary not only paid the bill, but he also gave Louise a gift from Italy. She was very surprised and said,’ Thank you! You have become as romantic as the Italians!’
Questions:
1) Can you name some popular Italian coffee drinks?
2) Where is Ceylon tea from?
3) After a meal, what do you say to the waitor when you want to pay?
Answers:
1) Cafe Latte, Cappuccino and expresso
2) Sri Lanka
3) Can I have the bill please?/ Check please.
By Lily Poon
Special thanks to mIN+ café & kitchen 民家 as our venue provider
If you have any idea, please email us! wwpenglishcolumn@gmail.com
2010年10月30日 星期六
2010年10月13日 星期三
互動英語教室(3) - In a French Grocery Store
文匯報互動英語教室之《餐廳篇》將帶你到中西餐廳學英文!
本集和大家到法國小店...
Eating out is one of the most common sources of entertainment in Hong Kong. Lily and Sharon seldom cook proper meals at home because they dislike washing dishes. Pizza, spaghetti and fish ball noodles are always on top of their list. One day, they were looking for something different and exciting to do for their friend’s birthday. Lily came up with the idea of hosting a surprise party. Sharon found this idea fabulous but she had no experience in organising a birthday party at home. Lily suggested having a party theme which could help make shopping easier. Sharon was worried about finding a suitable venue too. While they were discussing about their plans, they walked past a French grocery store called “Monsieur Chatte”. Sharon found the food sold in that shop very interesting and decided to take a closer look.
Caroline, the owner of this store, greeted Lily and Sharon.
Caroline: Hello, may I help you?
你們好, 有什麼我可以幫忙?
Lily: Yes. Can you suggest some ideas for a birthday party?
你可以給我們一些有關生日派對的建議嗎?
Sharon: We are looking for something special!
我們想找一些特別的東西啊!
Caroline: Sure! We are selling French food and beverages. In France, we eat a lot of cheese. Do you and your friends like cheese?
當然可以! 我們售買各式各樣的法國食品和飲品。在法國我們吃很多芝士的。你和你的朋友喜歡芝士嗎?
Caroline: This is comte and this is camembert. Would you like to try?
這是comte，這是camembert。你們想試試嗎?
Lily and Sharon: Yes. Thank you.
好的。謝謝。
This was the first time they had ever tried French cheese. Caroline explained to them that cheese and wine were central elements of the French diet and there were around 400 sorts of Cheese in France. Lily and Sharon had the impression that French food and drinks were very expensive. That’s why Sharon decided to ask for the price of the cheese she liked before buying. She was happy to know that they were affordable.
Sharon: I like this one. How much is it?
我喜歡這種。要多少錢呢?
Caroline: $52 per 100 grams.
每100克52元。
Lily: Can we have 100 grams please?
我可以要100克嗎?
Caroline: No problem.
沒問題。
Sharon was curious to know more about the sausages hanging in the shop.
Lily: Caroline, what are these?
Caroline, 這是什麼?
Caroline: They are French sausages, “sacisson” in French. You can cut them into pieces.
這是法國香腸。你可以把它們切成小塊吃。
Sharon told Caroline that Chinese people also had preserved food and was surprised to note the similarities in French and Chinese cooking philosophies. Sharon found some small cakes in the shop and asked Caroline for more information.
Sharon: Excuse me, Caroline, they look very cute, what are they?
Caroline，請問這是什麼? 樣子很可愛啊!
Caroline: Oh! These are “Cannelé”. They are little cookies from a region in France called “Bordeaux”.
噢! 這是“Cannelé” 。來自法國一個名為” Bordeaux”的地區。
Lily: We want 10 of them. How much do they cost?
我想要10件。一共要多少錢呢?
Caroline: It costs $12 each. The total is $120. Let’s go up to the second floor, we have French wines up there.
12元一件。一共120元。不如一起上二樓，那裡有法國葡萄酒。
Caroline: These are French wines. We usually drink white wines with seafood and red wines with meat.
這是法國葡萄酒。我們一般吃海鮮時飲白酒，吃肉類時飲紅酒。
Caroline: Have you found a place for your friend’s birthday party?
你們找到開生日派對的地方了嗎?
Lily: Not yet.
還未。
Caroline: Would you like to consider having your party here? Our private lounge can be used exclusively for parties. Let me show you the way.
你們會否考慮這兒? 我們的私人會客廳可以用來開派對。
Lily and Sharon followed Caroline to the second floor.
Lily: Oh! The setting is very stylish!
噢! 多麼時尚的裝修啊!
Caroline: It can accommodate 20-25 people.
這裏可以容納20至25人。
Sharon: Is there any minimum charge?
有沒有最低消費呢?
Caroline: Yes. You can consume our food and beverages. Let me send you a proposal tomorrow.
有的。你可以在這兒消費，享用我們的食物和飲品。我明天給你一個建議書吧!
After their visit to this French grocery store, Lily and Sharon find experiencing the food and drinks of a country being the best way to understand its culture. Although there are fundamental differences between Chinese and French food culture, it’s not a bad idea to have something different occasionally!
Special thanks to Monsieur Chatte.
If you have any suggestions, please email us! wwpenglishcolumn@gmail.com
本集和大家到法國小店...
Eating out is one of the most common sources of entertainment in Hong Kong. Lily and Sharon seldom cook proper meals at home because they dislike washing dishes. Pizza, spaghetti and fish ball noodles are always on top of their list. One day, they were looking for something different and exciting to do for their friend’s birthday. Lily came up with the idea of hosting a surprise party. Sharon found this idea fabulous but she had no experience in organising a birthday party at home. Lily suggested having a party theme which could help make shopping easier. Sharon was worried about finding a suitable venue too. While they were discussing about their plans, they walked past a French grocery store called “Monsieur Chatte”. Sharon found the food sold in that shop very interesting and decided to take a closer look.
Caroline, the owner of this store, greeted Lily and Sharon.
Caroline: Hello, may I help you?
你們好, 有什麼我可以幫忙?
Lily: Yes. Can you suggest some ideas for a birthday party?
你可以給我們一些有關生日派對的建議嗎?
Sharon: We are looking for something special!
我們想找一些特別的東西啊!
Caroline: Sure! We are selling French food and beverages. In France, we eat a lot of cheese. Do you and your friends like cheese?
當然可以! 我們售買各式各樣的法國食品和飲品。在法國我們吃很多芝士的。你和你的朋友喜歡芝士嗎?
Caroline: This is comte and this is camembert. Would you like to try?
這是comte，這是camembert。你們想試試嗎?
Lily and Sharon: Yes. Thank you.
好的。謝謝。
This was the first time they had ever tried French cheese. Caroline explained to them that cheese and wine were central elements of the French diet and there were around 400 sorts of Cheese in France. Lily and Sharon had the impression that French food and drinks were very expensive. That’s why Sharon decided to ask for the price of the cheese she liked before buying. She was happy to know that they were affordable.
Sharon: I like this one. How much is it?
我喜歡這種。要多少錢呢?
Caroline: $52 per 100 grams.
每100克52元。
Lily: Can we have 100 grams please?
我可以要100克嗎?
Caroline: No problem.
沒問題。
Sharon was curious to know more about the sausages hanging in the shop.
Lily: Caroline, what are these?
Caroline, 這是什麼?
Caroline: They are French sausages, “sacisson” in French. You can cut them into pieces.
這是法國香腸。你可以把它們切成小塊吃。
Sharon told Caroline that Chinese people also had preserved food and was surprised to note the similarities in French and Chinese cooking philosophies. Sharon found some small cakes in the shop and asked Caroline for more information.
Sharon: Excuse me, Caroline, they look very cute, what are they?
Caroline，請問這是什麼? 樣子很可愛啊!
Caroline: Oh! These are “Cannelé”. They are little cookies from a region in France called “Bordeaux”.
噢! 這是“Cannelé” 。來自法國一個名為” Bordeaux”的地區。
Lily: We want 10 of them. How much do they cost?
我想要10件。一共要多少錢呢?
Caroline: It costs $12 each. The total is $120. Let’s go up to the second floor, we have French wines up there.
12元一件。一共120元。不如一起上二樓，那裡有法國葡萄酒。
Caroline: These are French wines. We usually drink white wines with seafood and red wines with meat.
這是法國葡萄酒。我們一般吃海鮮時飲白酒，吃肉類時飲紅酒。
Caroline: Have you found a place for your friend’s birthday party?
你們找到開生日派對的地方了嗎?
Lily: Not yet.
還未。
Caroline: Would you like to consider having your party here? Our private lounge can be used exclusively for parties. Let me show you the way.
你們會否考慮這兒? 我們的私人會客廳可以用來開派對。
Lily and Sharon followed Caroline to the second floor.
Lily: Oh! The setting is very stylish!
噢! 多麼時尚的裝修啊!
Caroline: It can accommodate 20-25 people.
這裏可以容納20至25人。
Sharon: Is there any minimum charge?
有沒有最低消費呢?
Caroline: Yes. You can consume our food and beverages. Let me send you a proposal tomorrow.
有的。你可以在這兒消費，享用我們的食物和飲品。我明天給你一個建議書吧!
After their visit to this French grocery store, Lily and Sharon find experiencing the food and drinks of a country being the best way to understand its culture. Although there are fundamental differences between Chinese and French food culture, it’s not a bad idea to have something different occasionally!
Special thanks to Monsieur Chatte.
If you have any suggestions, please email us! wwpenglishcolumn@gmail.com
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