Proper etiquette to eat good cheesy French onion soup in public without being gross?

[Anonymous]

Over the weekend I had a 10 out of 10 excellent French onion soup in a bistro. However, the cafe was packed to the brim and the soup's super stretchy cheese was impossible to eat without using my fingers to pinch it. I tried a spoon and fork and spinning it before bringing it to my mouth — it was futile. It felt gross using my hands, especially with people on all sides shoulder to shoulder. One table even commented and pointed mid-finger pinch that that was the French onion soup and they'd like to order it. (I was mortified.)

My theory is to sip only the broth and onions and totally avoid the cheese (and crusty bread under it) until the very end, then you can actually cut the cheese/bread in clean slices using the bottom of the bowl, so there's no stretch?

[Anonymous]

I think this is your anxiety talking here.

[Anonymous]

I’m usually able to separate the cheese using the side of the spoon against the inside of the bowl so that when the spoon is raised I have one bit with soup, bread and cheese.

[Anonymous]

The other table wanted to order the soup BECAUSE of the stretchy gooey cheese!

That said, I have no idea, and always struggle with this as well. But damn youve made me want some french onion soup now

[Anonymous]

Side of the spoon against the bowl. It's really not that hard. I've never used my fingers. That's kind of gross.

[Anonymous]

More importantly: where were you?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Side of the spoon against the bowl. It's really not that hard. I've never used my fingers. That's kind of gross.

This. If the spoon won't cut it, use a knife.

[Anonymous]

Would you mind sharing where you had this French onion soup? It sounds great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Side of the spoon against the bowl. It's really not that hard. I've never used my fingers. That's kind of gross.

This. If the spoon won't cut it, use a knife.

I was trying everything, it was impossible.

[Anonymous]

I’m thinking some patience is probably helpful. If it’s RIGHT out of the broiler, the cheese is too gooey? Letting it cool a little at the table probably makes it easier to cut, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Side of the spoon against the bowl. It's really not that hard. I've never used my fingers. That's kind of gross.

This. If the spoon won't cut it, use a knife.

knife and fork of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Side of the spoon against the bowl. It's really not that hard. I've never used my fingers. That's kind of gross.

This. If the spoon won't cut it, use a knife.

knife and fork of course.

For SOUP?

[Anonymous]

Where. Where did you get the soup?

[Anonymous]

OP don’t leave us hanging, where is the soup??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where. Where did you get the soup?