It all starts with the reservation. Most people are afraid to ask for what they want. If the restaurant has a great view, ask for a table by the window. If it has a beautiful, open kitchen, ask for a table with a view of it. If you know the bartender is super hot, ask for a table by the bar. If they don’t take reservations or you forgot to make one, don’t be afraid to ask when you arrive. If you have been sat by the door or the bathroom or a couple with a crying baby, please for the love of god, ask to be moved. I heart doors, bathrooms, and babies, but I don’t want to eat a great meal next to any of them.
Don’t be late for your reservation. There are a lot of restaurants out there that won’t even seat the party until all guests arrive. This is both annoying to the hostess and your fellow diners and you just might get a not so great table. Not to mention your fellow foodies might end up a little too drunk because they had to wait in the bar for your sorry ass all whilst drinking overpriced martinis. This brings me to my next lesson…
Choose your foodie friends wisely. Some people go out and eat like they are the only one at the table. They don’t like to share and they are not adventurous. I don’t eat with them. I will dine with a honey hating beegan before I dine with them. If you are dining out with close friends or family don’t hesitate to ask the table if they want to share some things so everyone gets to try more than a few dishes. I usually try and order last so that I order something that hasn’t been ordered yet. ..There are always more than a few plates that I want to try.
If you are ordering wine by the glass and can’t decide which one you want to drink, ask your server for a tasting of a couple. Nine times out of 10 they will oblige. If you are ordering a bottle for the table and you aren’t sure, ask your server, but most importantly make sure there is a unanimous decision on the type of wine everyone will drink. I don’t care too much for chardonnays and cabernets and will never order them. I always speak up and make sure that everyone is happy with the choice.
If you have a food allergy or there is something you do not eat, please speak up at the BEGINNING of the meal. I can’t tell you how many times people with allergies don’t say anything and then ask when it gets to the table if there is garlic in it only to send it back to the kitchen. You know who you are. UGGH!! If you are lactose intolerant don’t order the pasta with cream sauce. OH! And by the way people, bacon is NOT read meat!!!!!!!! The only reason it looks pink is because of the way it’s cured.
One of the worst things that can ruin a good meal is being rushed. Don’t be scared to ask your server to wait to fire the entrees until you are done with your appetizers. I enjoy having at least a good 10 minutes in between my courses. I like to talk to my fellow diners. I like to take notes on what I just ate and drank. I like to have a little time to digest so I don’t get filled up by my entrée after the first bite…and I DEFINITELY need to have room for dessert.
Don’t be late for your reservation. There are a lot of restaurants out there that won’t even seat the party until all guests arrive. This is both annoying to the hostess and your fellow diners and you just might get a not so great table. Not to mention your fellow foodies might end up a little too drunk because they had to wait in the bar for your sorry ass all whilst drinking overpriced martinis. This brings me to my next lesson…
Choose your foodie friends wisely. Some people go out and eat like they are the only one at the table. They don’t like to share and they are not adventurous. I don’t eat with them. I will dine with a honey hating beegan before I dine with them. If you are dining out with close friends or family don’t hesitate to ask the table if they want to share some things so everyone gets to try more than a few dishes. I usually try and order last so that I order something that hasn’t been ordered yet. ..There are always more than a few plates that I want to try.
If you are ordering wine by the glass and can’t decide which one you want to drink, ask your server for a tasting of a couple. Nine times out of 10 they will oblige. If you are ordering a bottle for the table and you aren’t sure, ask your server, but most importantly make sure there is a unanimous decision on the type of wine everyone will drink. I don’t care too much for chardonnays and cabernets and will never order them. I always speak up and make sure that everyone is happy with the choice.
If you have a food allergy or there is something you do not eat, please speak up at the BEGINNING of the meal. I can’t tell you how many times people with allergies don’t say anything and then ask when it gets to the table if there is garlic in it only to send it back to the kitchen. You know who you are. UGGH!! If you are lactose intolerant don’t order the pasta with cream sauce. OH! And by the way people, bacon is NOT read meat!!!!!!!! The only reason it looks pink is because of the way it’s cured.
One of the worst things that can ruin a good meal is being rushed. Don’t be scared to ask your server to wait to fire the entrees until you are done with your appetizers. I enjoy having at least a good 10 minutes in between my courses. I like to talk to my fellow diners. I like to take notes on what I just ate and drank. I like to have a little time to digest so I don’t get filled up by my entrée after the first bite…and I DEFINITELY need to have room for dessert.