Roman says: "The truth is having a homey and delicious French meal does not have to cost you an arm and a leg."

O'steak is designed to be a warm French bistro that specializes in affordable classic dishes, he says.

From November, restaurants around the world, from fine restaurants to bistros, were invited to apply on the website goodfrance.com and propose a menu showcasing France's culinary traditions. An international selection committee of chefs, supported by the embassies, approved the list of participating chefs, among the aims being to ensure the quality and coherence of the menus.

Gout de France this year also shone a spotlight on Nouvelle Aquitaine, a region on the Atlantic coast, as guest of honor, the region being a melting pot for outstanding French wines, with Bordeaux as the standard bearer.