Lesson 25: Ordering at a Restaurant

Welcome to Lesson 25 of our Basic English A1 course for beginners. In this lesson, we will explore the essential vocabulary and phrases needed to order food and drinks at a restaurant. This lesson will help you feel more confident when dining out in an English-speaking environment. Let's dive in!

Understanding the Menu

When you first arrive at a restaurant, you will usually be given a menu. The menu lists all the food and drink options available. Here are some common sections you might find on a menu:

• Appetizers/Starters: Small dishes served before the main course.
• Main Courses/Entrees: The main part of your meal.
• Desserts: Sweet dishes served after the main course.
• Beverages: Drinks, which may include soft drinks, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages.

Understanding the menu is crucial. If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, be sure to read the descriptions carefully or ask your server for assistance.

Key Vocabulary

Here are some important words and phrases to know when ordering at a restaurant:

• Reservation: Booking a table in advance.
• Waiter/Waitress: The person who takes your order and serves your food.
• Specials: Dishes that are not on the regular menu, often seasonal or limited-time offerings.
• Bill/Check: The list of charges for the meal, which you pay at the end.
• Tip: Extra money given to the waiter/waitress as a thank you for good service.

Making a Reservation

If you want to ensure a table at a popular restaurant, it’s a good idea to make a reservation. Here’s how you can do it:

You: Hello, I’d like to make a reservation for two, please.
Restaurant: Certainly. What day and time would you like?
You: Tomorrow at 7 PM.
Restaurant: Let me check. Yes, we have a table available. Can I have your name, please?
You: Yes, it’s [Your Name].
Restaurant: Thank you, [Your Name]. We’ll see you tomorrow at 7 PM.

Arriving at the Restaurant

When you arrive, you might need to let the host or hostess know that you have a reservation:

You: Hi, I have a reservation under [Your Name].
Host/Hostess: Welcome, [Your Name]. Please follow me to your table.

If you don’t have a reservation, you can ask if there’s a table available:

You: Hi, do you have a table for two available?
Host/Hostess: Let me check. Yes, we can seat you right away.

Ordering Food and Drinks

Once you are seated, the waiter or waitress will come to take your order. Here are some common phrases you can use:

Waiter: Are you ready to order?
You: Yes, I’d like the grilled chicken with a side of vegetables, please.
Waiter: And for you, sir/ma’am?
Friend: I’ll have the pasta primavera.
Waiter: Would you like anything to drink?
You: Yes, I’ll have a glass of water, please.
Friend: I’d like a soda, please.

If you need more time, you can say:

You: Can we have a few more minutes, please?

Asking Questions

Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you need more information about the menu:

You: What do you recommend?
Waiter: Our chef’s special today is the salmon with lemon butter sauce.

If you have dietary restrictions, you might ask:

You: Is this dish gluten-free?
Waiter: Yes, it is. We can also make it vegetarian if you prefer.

Dealing with Problems

If there’s an issue with your order, it’s important to address it politely:

You: Excuse me, I ordered the steak, but this is chicken.
Waiter: I apologize for the mistake. I’ll bring you the correct order right away.

Paying the Bill

At the end of your meal, you will need to pay the bill. Here’s how you can ask for it:

You: Could we have the bill, please?

When you receive the bill, check it to make sure everything is correct. If you’re paying by card, you can say:

You: Can I pay by credit card?

Don’t forget to leave a tip if the service was good. In many places, a tip of 15-20% is customary.

Practice Dialogue

Here’s a complete dialogue to help you practice:

You: Good evening. I have a reservation for two under [Your Name].
Host/Hostess: Welcome, [Your Name]. Please follow me.
Waiter: Good evening. Can I get you started with some drinks?
You: Yes, I’ll have a lemonade, please.
Friend: I’d like a glass of white wine.
Waiter: Great choice. Are you ready to order your meals?
You: Yes, I’ll have the grilled salmon.
Friend: I’ll take the vegetarian lasagna.
Waiter: Excellent. I’ll get that started for you.
(Later)
Waiter: How is everything?
You: It’s delicious, thank you.
(After the meal)
You: Could we have the bill, please?
Waiter: Of course. Here it is.
You: Thank you. Can I pay by credit card?
Waiter: Certainly. I’ll be right back with the card reader.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve learned how to order at a restaurant in English. Practice these phrases and dialogues to build your confidence. Remember, the key to mastering any language is practice and patience. Enjoy your dining experiences and keep practicing your English skills!

Thank you for joining us in Lesson 25. In the next lesson, we will cover another exciting topic. See you next time!