At a Restaurant

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At a Restaurant

Intermediate

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

starter

Noun

ˈstɑːrtər

a small dish served as the first course of a meal

Where are the starters? // Right here.

main course

Noun

meɪn kɔːs

the main dish of a meal

Do you have any recommendations for the main course?

dessert

Noun

dɪˈzərt

something sweet, usually eaten after a meal

The dessert looks delicious.

What would you like for dessert?

I don't mind sharing my dessert with you.

The dessert menu is on the wall.

I'll have a sweet potato for dessert.

I like eating different kinds of desserts everyday, like muffins and cake.

recommendation

Noun

ˌrɛkəmɛnˈdeɪʃən

a suggestion on what the best thing to do is

I ignored my doctor's recommendation to stop smoking.

Do you have any recommendations?

Thank you for writing this letter of recommendation for me.

The committee published a report of its recommendations.

Do you have any recommendations? // Today's soup of the day is very popular with our customers.

cozy

Adjective

ˈkoʊziː

comfortable

Sitting near the fire is warm and cozy.

The bed at the hotel was warm and cozy.

My house has a very cozy living room where I like to read.

Exercise 2

Useful Expressions

Do you have any free tables?

Could we/I have the menu, please?

What is this dish?

Do you have any recommendations?

The bill, please.

Exercise 3

Dialogue Practice

Read the dialogue aloud with your tutor.

While sightseeing, Matt came across a very cozy restaurant.
	Matt Hello! Do you have any free tables? I'd like to have lunch here.
	Waiter Yes, come this way, please.
The waiter leads Matt to a table. He sits down.
	Matt Could I have the menu, please?
	Waiter Certainly. Here is the menu. Would you like something to drink while you're deciding?
	Matt Just a glass of water for now, thank you.
	Waiter Very well, sir. Take your time.
After a few moments.
	Matt Excuse me.
	Waiter Yes, sir?
	Matt I need some help. Umm... Where are the starters?
	Waiter Right here.
	Matt Thank you. What is this dish?
	Waiter Oh, this is a meat dish with steamed vegetables. You can also have potatoes, if you wish.
	Matt That sounds delicious!
	Waiter It is. Would you like to order it?
	Matt Hmmm... I'm still not sure. Do you have any recommendations?
	Waiter Today’s soup of the day is very popular with our customers. It’s chicken pea soup.
	Matt That sounds great. I'll take both the soup and the meat dish, please.
	Waiter Certainly, sir. Anything else?
	Matt A bottle of sparkling water. And when you bring the food, bring the bill, please.
	Waiter All right.

Exercise 4

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks to complete the dialogue.

Camille walked into a busy restaurant.
	Camille Hi! Do you have any (1), by any chance?
	Waiter Yes, there is one by the window!
	Camille Perfect! Could I have the (2), please?
	Waiter Of course, here it is.
A few moments later.
	Waiter Are you ready to (3), miss?
	Camille I'm not sure. Hmm. (4) this dish?
	Waiter It’s an assorted cheese platter with olives and crackers. It goes very well with red wine.
	Camille Okay, I would like that as a (5).
	Waiter Okay. Would you like to order a main dish, as well?
	Camille Yes, do you have any (6)?
	Waiter Our barbecue ribs are very popular. Or, if you prefer seafood, grilled codfish is one of our best sellers.
	Camille Codfish sounds good, I'll have that.
	Waiter Very well. Anything else?
	Camille A glass of your best wine.
After Camille has finished her meal.
	Camille Excuse me! Can I get the (7), please?
	Waiter Of course! Right away!

Choose answers from the options below that fit in blanks 1 to 7

Answer Pool (Questions 1-7)

free tables
bill
recommendations
order
What is
menu
starter

Exercise 5

Role Play

Role-play the following situation with your tutor.

Situation

You enter a restaurant and you would like to get a table in the non-smoking area. Ask the waiter for the recommendations and place an order. The teacher will act as a waiter.

Exercise 6

Discussion

Do you prefer having meals at home or at a restaurant? Why?

What is your favorite foreign dish?

What is the most popular dish in your country or region?

Do you like going out to eat with friends? If so, where?

Do you like cooking? What do you usually cook?