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Choices, Choices…
Restaurant menus offer a lot of choices. Ordering can be hard. When you get to a restaurant, you’ll be greeted by the host or hostess. In fine dining establishments this individual is called the maitre d'. He or she will confirm your reservation and ask about your party size.
Next, you’ll be asked to choose a table in a smoking or non-smoking section. Finally, you’ll be taken to your table. You’ll be given water first. Then you’ll be introduced to your server. Your server will give you the menu, explain any specials and ask about beverages. Depending on the level of elegance the menus can range from notes on a chalkboard to decorative beautifully designed items.
When your beverages arrive, your server will take your order. You’ll be asked if you want an appetizer. These commonly arrive at your table before your meal. Secondly, you’ll choose an entrée. Some restaurants offer other choices for the meal: rice, baked potatoes, salad, vegetables and dessert. If you order a meat entrée of beef, you’ll be asked how you’d like it cut. Your choices are rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well and well-done. Restaurant chefs tend to resist preparing a steak well-done, so you may be urged to choose something else. Explain problems to the server immediately. Most upscale restaurants believe the customer is always right.
When you’re finished, your server will give you the bill. It’s customary in many countries to leave a gratuity. This can range from 15 to 20 percent of the bill to not tipping at all. Remember: this custom varies between countries.
Dialogue 1
- Welcome to Uptown Grove. My name is Joseph and I’ll be your host. Do you have a reservation?
- Yes. For Joan Andrews.
- Would you like smoking or non-smoking?
- Non-smoking, please.
- How about a window table?
- Actually, we would rather sit in the corner.
- That is reserved. How about here?
- Great!
- Sarah, your server, will be here soon.
Dialogue 2
- Hello! I’ll be your server. What beverages would you like?
- I’ll have a beer and my wife will have orange juice.
- Great! I’ll be back soon… OK, here’re your drinks. Would you like any appetizers?
- Sure. We’d like to have the stuffed mushrooms and the Greek Salad.
- And your entrée?
- I’d like the Pasta primavera, and my husband will have the steak.
- How would you like the beef prepared?
- Medium-rare.
- Excellent! Your appetizers should be out shortly.
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