Menu vs. carte
The French words 'menu' and 'carte' are both related to dining but refer to different concepts in a restaurant setting. Understanding the distinction can enhance your dining experience in French-speaking regions.
Menu
'Menu' typically refers to a set list of dishes that are offered together at a fixed price, often as a meal with several courses.
Le menu du jour comporte une entrée, un plat principal et un dessert.
(The menu of the day includes an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert.)
Nous avons choisi le menu végétarien avec une sélection de légumes de saison.
(We chose the vegetarian menu with a selection of seasonal vegetables.)
Pour le dîner, le restaurant propose un menu dégustation qui permet de goûter à différents plats en petites portions.
(For dinner, the restaurant offers a tasting menu that allows you to sample different dishes in small portions.)
Carte
'Carte', which translates to 'card', refers to the full selection of individual dishes and beverages that customers can choose from; it is akin to an à la carte menu in English.
La carte des vins de ce restaurant est impressionnante par sa diversité.
(The wine list of this restaurant is impressive for its diversity.)
Je vais jeter un coup d'œil à la carte pour choisir mon plat, plutôt que de prendre le menu fixe.
(I will take a look at the menu to choose my dish, rather than go for the fixed menu.)
Si vous n'aimez pas les choix disponibles dans les menus, vous pouvez toujours commander à la carte.
(If you don't like the choices available in the set menus, you can always order from the menu (à la carte).)
Summary
While both 'menu' and 'carte' are part of restaurant terminology, 'menu' implies a set meal at a set price, whereas 'carte' provides a broader choice where dishes are individually priced and customers can compose their own meal. Familiarity with these terms enriches the gastronomic experience in Francophone environments.