Vocabulary. · I'd like to reserve / book a table for four at 8pm, please.

Booking a table:

· I'd like to reserve / book a table for four at 8pm, please.

· I'd like to reserve / book a table for a party of six at 8pm, please.

· I'd like to book a table for two at 8 in the name of Stewart, please.

· Could we have a table by the window, please?

· Could we have a non-smoking table, please?

· Could we have a table away from the kitchen/toilets, please?

· Could we have a booth, please?

· Could you make sure it's a quiet table, please?

Arriving at the restaurant:

· Good evening, the name is Stewart. I have a table booked for six.

· Do you have the menu in English/Russian..., please?

· Do you have a high chair for young children, please?

· Could we have a table over there, please?

· I'm sorry but I asked for a table by the window.

· Could we have an extra chair, please?

Placing your order:

· I'd like the.............., please.

· For starters I'll have the mushroom soup and for the main course I'd like the roast beef.

· Could I have chips instead of new potatoes, please?

· What is the house special today?

· Is there anything you would recommend?

· Could I see the wine menu, please?

· I'll have a bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon.

· I'll have a glass of red/white, please.

· Which wine would you recommend?

During / After the meal:

· Could we have some more bread, please?

· Do you have a pepper mill?

· Could I have some dressing, please?

· Could you pass me the salt, please?

· That was delicious. My compliments to the chef.

Complaining:

· Excuse me, but my meal is cold.

· Excuse me, we've been waiting for over half an hour for our drinks.

· I'm sorry but I ordered the side salad not the vegetables.

· Excuse me this steak is overdone, I ordered rare.

· I'm afraid this wine tastes corked.

· Excuse me this wine isn't chilled properly.

Paying:

· Could I have the bill, please?

· Do you take Visa?

· We'd like separate bills, please.

· Is service included?

· No, please. This is on me. (When you wish to pay for everyone.)

Read the sentences and then use the words in bold to complete the sentences below:

1. That waiter was very rude. I don’t think we should leave him a tip, do you?
2. I don’t fancy cooking. Shall we get a Chinese takeaway instead?
3. Georgina loves fizzy drinks like lemonade and soda water.
4. We couldn’t believe it when we got the bill. I’d never been to such an expensive restaurant before.
5. I don’t really want a starter. I’ll just have a main dish, I think. I’m not very hungry.
6. Is the waiter going to bring us any cutlery, or will we have to eat with our fingers?
7. What would you like for dessert/pudding? They do a delicious chocolate gateau here!
8. A snack is something like a sandwich o chocolate bar that you eat between meals.
9. Could I have a packet of salt and vinegar crisps, please?
10. Could I have a cheeseburger and chips/French fries, please?

Complete the following sentences:

1. Mum asked me to put the … on the table, but I can’t find any clean spoons.
2. We won’t be having dinner until late tonight. Would you like a … to keep you going?
3. As the bill was £ 30, we should leave £ 3 … for the waiter.
4. Karen’s just gone to the newsagent’s to get a packet of ….
5. I’ve ordered a … for tonight. Could you pick it up from the Indian restaurant on your way home?
6. I don’t think I’ll have any … as I’m on a diet. Well, maybe just a piece of apple pie?
7. I hate …. I much prefer things like orange juice or milk.
8. I’ll get the … this time. You paid last time we went to dinner.
9. My mum never cooks …. She says they’re bad for you. We often have baked potatoes, though.
10. The first course of a meal is usually called a ‘ ’ in Britain; in the USA it’s usually called an ‘appetizer’.

1. Study the sample dialogue, answer the questions and act it out:

Dave and Sarah decide to visit an American restaurant.

Waiter: Good afternoon. Table for two?
Dave: Yes, please.
Waiter: Smoking or non-smoking?
Sarah: Non-smoking.
Waiter: Right this way.

They walk to a table. Dave and Sarah sit down and the waiter gives them menus.

Waiter: I’ll be back in a few minutes to take your order.

After 7 minutes, the waiter returns.

Waiter: Are you ready to order?
Dave: I think so, but can I ask? What is Beef Stroganoff?
Waiter: It’s beef cut into small pieces and served in a sour cream and white wine sauce.
Dave: Ok, that sounds good. I’ll have that.
Waiter: Excellent. And that comes with your choice of French fries, fried mushrooms, or rice.
Dave: I’ll have rice.
Waiter: Anything to start?

Dave: I’ll have the French Onion soup.
Waiter: OK. And what can I get you?
Sarah: Is the Spaghetti and Meatballs very large?
Waiter: Yes, it’s a big portion.
Sarah: Oh, I’m not very hungry.

Waiter: Then can I recommend the Chicken with Mushrooms? That comes with noodles, but it’s not too big.
Sarah: Ok. I’ll take Chicken and Mushrooms. And a salad to start.
Waiter: Very good. And what can I get you to drink?
Dave: A Coke, please.
Sarah: I’ll have orange juice.
Waiter: Oh, I’m afraid we’re out of orange juice. But we have pear, apple, grape, and kiwi-banana.
Sarah: Kiwi-Banana? That sounds interesting. I’ll try that.
Waiter: Excellent. I’ll be back with your drinks in a minute. (fromhttps://www.englishadvantage. info/worksheet/at-the-restaurant/)

Questions:
1. What does the waiter ask before seating Dave and Sarah?
2. How do Dave and Sarah say what they want to eat?
3. What do Dave and Sarah order for starters? For their main meal? To drink?
4. How does the waiter suggest a meal for Sarah?
5. What problems do the diners have?
6. Is the conversation formal or informal?

1. Fill in the gaps with the correct phrase:

Waiter: Good evening, sir, madame.

Mr. Bradley: Good evening. (1) _____________________________________________

Waiter: Yes sir. May I take your coats?

The waiter takes their coats and hangs them up.

Mr. & Mrs. Bradley: Thank you.

Waiter: You’re welcome. Would you like to come to the table or (2) _____________________

Mr. Bradley: I wouldn't mind an aperitif. We'll order in the bar.

Waiter: Please follow me; I'll bring you the menu in a moment.

Mr. & Mrs. Bradley order their drinks at the bar and sit down to look at the menu.

Mrs. Bradley: Oh dear Jack, it's all in French!

Mr. Bradley: Well, that's what we're paying for. Don't worry I've got an idea.

Waiter: (3) ___________________________

Mr. Bradley: Not really. Could you recommend something?

Waiter: Certainly, sir. The fresh lobster is particularly good this evening, and for starters may I recommend a light consommé?

Mr. Bradley: Sounds lovely, what do you think dear?

Mrs. Bradley: Oh yes, I love lobsters.

Waiter: So, that's two consommé s and two lobsters. Would you like to look at the wine menu?

Mr. Bradley: (4) _________________________________ Nothing too expensive though.

Waiter: No problem, sir. I'll call you as soon as your table is ready.

The waiter walks away.

Mrs. Bradley: You are clever, Jack, but (5) ____________________

Mr. Bradley: Don't worry, they bring round a sweet trolley, so we just point at what we fancy!

A while later Mr. & Mrs. Bradley have finished eating and are drinking their coffee.

Waiter: Was everything to your satisfaction?

Mr. & Mrs. Bradley: Yes, lovely, thank you.

Mr. Bradley: The whole meal was delicious, (6) _____________________. Unfortunately, we have to be back for the baby-sitter, so could we pay now?

Waiter: Certainly, sir. I'll bring you the bill. Would you like me to order you a taxi?

Mr. Bradley: Yes, that would be great, thank you.

Mrs. Bradley: What a nice man, we must leave him a good tip.

Mr. Bradley: Yes, of course.

1. Discuss the following questions in the group:

1. How often do you eat out? What place do you choose to eat out?

2. What’s your favourite restaurant/café /bar? Why do you like it? What’s the atmosphere there?

3. What is your favourite item on the menu?

4. Do you always know what you are going to order or do you ask a waiter for advice?

5. What kinds of problems do you have when you go to the restaurant?

6. Can you think of a time when a restaurant ran out of something you ordered?

7. Have you ever had very bad customer service?

8. Has the waiter/waitress ever mixed up your order? Overcharged you? Been very rude?

9. Have you every complained to a manager about a waiter or waitress?

10. Have you ever refused to pay for your meal?

1. Act out the following situations. Use the helpful vocabulary from the list above:

1. You’ve had a very busy morning and you are extremely hungry. You see a snack bar and decide to have lunch.

2. Your friend has invited you to the restaurant to celebrate her graduation from the university.

3. You are at the café. Order some food. The waiter brings the wrong food. Tell the waiter your problem and request.

4. It’s Sunday. You and your child are walking in the park. You have decided to drop in the café.