Ordering at a Restaurant

Rahul takes his friends out to a new restaurant, browses the menu, orders food, and asks for the bill at the end.

Meanings in Rahul, Waiter, Friends

Key words and phrases

menua list of food and drinks available at a restaurantCould I see the menu, please?

reservationa booking made in advance for a tableWe have a reservation for four at seven o'clock.

startera small dish served before the main courseLet's order a starter while we decide on the main course.

main coursethe primary and largest dish of a mealHe chose butter chicken as his main course.

recommendationa suggestion, often about what to chooseWhat's your recommendation from the menu?

billa statement showing the total amount to be paidCould you bring the bill, please?

tipextra money given to staff for good serviceWe left a generous tip for the waiter.

allergichaving a reaction to a certain food or substanceI'm allergic to peanuts, so please avoid them.

spicyhaving a hot, strong flavour from spicesPlease make it less spicy for me.

takeawayfood packed to be eaten elsewhere, not in the restaurantWe decided to get the leftovers as takeaway.

cuisinea style of cooking associated with a particular region or cultureThis restaurant serves authentic Thai cuisine.

side disha smaller dish served alongside the main courseWe ordered garlic naan as a side dish.

beveragea drink of any kindWould you like a beverage with your meal?

service chargea fee added to the bill for the restaurant's serviceThe bill already includes a ten percent service charge.

complimentarygiven free of chargeThe restaurant offered a complimentary dessert for our anniversary.

portionan amount of food served to one personThe portions here are quite generous.

chef's speciala dish uniquely prepared or recommended by the chefWe decided to try the chef's special tonight.

well-donemeat cooked thoroughly with no pink remainingHe asked for his steak well-done.

split the billto divide the cost of a meal among several peopleLet's split the bill equally among the four of us.

doggy baga bag given to a customer to take home leftover foodShe asked for a doggy bag to take the extra biryani home.

Useful sentences

Ask Do you have a table for four?
Answer Yes, please follow me to your table.
Ask What would you recommend from the menu?
Answer The paneer tikka here is very popular.
Ask Can you make this dish less spicy?
Answer Of course, I'll inform the kitchen.
Ask Is this dish suitable for someone allergic to nuts?
Answer Yes, it doesn't contain any nuts.
Ask Could we get the bill, please?
Answer Sure, I'll bring it right away.
Ask What's the chef's special today?
Answer It's a grilled fish with a side dish of vegetables.
Ask Does the bill include the service charge?
Answer Yes, a ten percent service charge is already added.
Ask Could we split the bill among the four of us?
Answer Of course, I'll prepare four separate bills.
Ask Could we get a doggy bag for the leftovers?
Answer Certainly, I'll pack it up for you.
Ask Is a beverage included with this cuisine's set menu?
Answer Yes, one complimentary beverage is included.

Dialogue

WaiterGood evening. Do you have a reservation?

RahulYes, under the name Rahul, for four people.

WaiterRight this way. Here is the menu.

RahulThank you. We'll start with two starters and share a main course.

WaiterGreat choice. Anything to drink with that?

RahulJust water for now, thank you.

WaiterWould you like to hear about today's chef's special?

RahulYes, please, that sounds interesting.

WaiterIt's a grilled fish served with a side dish of vegetables.

RahulThat sounds great. We'll add one to our order.

Common mistakes

Saying "give me the bill" instead of the more polite "could we get the bill, please?"
Saying "I am allergic from" instead of "I am allergic to."
Saying "less spicy make it" instead of "please make it less spicy."
Saying "cut the bill" instead of "split the bill" when dividing the cost among people.
Saying "free dessert" instead of the more natural restaurant term "complimentary dessert."
Saying "parcel it" instead of "could we get a doggy bag" or "could you pack this to go" in a restaurant.

Quick quiz

1. What is a "starter"?

2. A booking made in advance for a table is called a ___.

3. Complete: "I'm ___ to peanuts, so please avoid them."

4. What is a "chef's special"?

5. A fee added to the bill for the restaurant's service is called a ___.

6. Complete: "Could we get a ___ for the leftovers?"

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