Amuse-Bouche

Small, delicious nibbles before the dinner really begins set the tone for the entire repast. This is why so many restaurants—especially at the upper levels—send out a pre-appetizer course. The French expression amuse-bouche—“entertain the mouth”—is well enough known now that it’s been shortened to just “the amuse.”

This new first course gives the opportunity to use very expensive ingredients. Almost by definition, an amuse-bouche is just a bite or two. So you don’t have to use very much of the precious foodstuff.