Lesson 18

Ordering a Meal

-Is this table free, waiter?

-I’m sorry, sir, these two tables have just been reserved by telephone, but that one over there is free.

-What a pity! We wanted to be near the dance-floor. Still it doesn’t matter, we’ll take it. The menu, please.

-Here you are, sir. Will you dine a la carte or take the table d’hôte?

-Well, let’s see. What do you think, darling?

-Oh, I don’t want much to eat. I’m not very hungry…I think I’ll have some oxtail soup and fried plaice with chips.

-Hm, I’m rather hungry. I’ll start with some hors- d’oeuvre.

-And to follow?

-A grilled steak with baked potatoes and peas.

-Will you have anything to drink, sir?

-Well, I’m rather thirsty. Bring me half a pint of bitter. What about you, darling?

-Well, I don’t care for beer, but I will have a glass of sherry.

-Very good. What sweet would you like?

-I’ll have fruit salad.

-So, will I. And we’ll have two coffees, please.

-Black or white?

-White, please. Oh, and two liqueur brandies.

-What a lovely waltz they are playing. Shall we dance?

-Yes, I’d love to…

-Waiter, the bill, please.

-Very good, sir.

-Here you are.

-Thank you very much, sir.

At the Restaurant

• Good evening. Two for dinner?

• Yes, that’s right.

• Where would you like to sit?

• Could we have a table near the window, please?

• Come with me, please.

• Could we have the menu?

• Certainly. Here you are.

• We’ll have to make up our mind. We’ll order in a few minutes.

• Do you want an appetizer, dear? Oysters, lobsters, smoked herring or avocado.

• Does it come with the dinner?

• No, it’s a la carte.

• Let’s see… The dinner includes a salad, an entrée, vegetables and potatoes as side dishes, a dessert and coffee. That’s more than enough.

• OK. We’ll order a dinner without an appetizer. What about the entrée? What would you like: veal, roast beef, steak or chicken?

• We have chicken at home rather often. When we eat out, I’d like to get something we don’t have at home. I’d like to have a steak for a change.

• So would I.

• Are you ready to order now?

• Yes. Can we begin with the salad?

• Certainly, sir. What kind of dressing would you like?

• Just olive oil and vinegar for both of us.

• And for your entrée?

• Two steaks, please.

• Rare, medium or well done?

• Medium, please. Is there a choice of vegetables and potatoes?

• No, sir. We serve a daily special. Today you can have mashed potatoes. The vegetable of this day is asparagus.

• It’s all right with me. What about you, darling?

• It’s okay.

• Would you like to see the wine list?

• We’d like a carafe of Chablis. Shall we order the dessert straight away?

• I advise you to take Ivory Cream Cakes or Pumpkin Log.

• Thanks, but we want neither cakes nor pies.

• So, cakes as well as pies are out of the question, aren’t they?

• Right you are. We prefer fruit to pies or ice-cream.

• Will oranges and bananas do?

• Yes, and two coffees, please.

• Black or white?

• White, please.

• Very good, sir.