How To Order Food In a Restaurant

Hey everybody!

It's Ariannita la Gringa and welcome back to my YouTube channel.

In today's video, I will teach you how to order food in a restaurant.

And to make this video I will actually go to a restaurant.

This is a restaurant it's called Prime. But what is a restaurant?

A restaurant is a place where  people go eat and drink.

Now there are many different types of restaurants, but this one is a fine-dining restaurant which is

basically a fancy restaurant.

And normally you'll dress  up or wear formal apparel.

People will normally wear formal attire or will get dressed up to go eat inside a restaurant.

So right now I'm just wearing a bodysuit (a black bodysuit), a skirt, and some heels.

And of course, there are more kinds of different restaurants.

For example, casual dining.

This is a restaurant that offers a more relaxed atmosphere and simpler food.

Fast food: This is a restaurant that serves food quickly and cheaply.

Bistro: This is a restaurant with an inexpensive and simple menu.

And Cafe: This is a restaurant that serves coffee, pastries, and light meals.

Now it's time to walk inside the restaurant. Let's go!

When you walk inside the restaurant you'll be greeted by the host.

This is the host and this is the host stand.

So the host is the person that will greet you and will seat you at your table.

If it's busy you might have to wait in line, but if you don't want to wait in line then

you can book a reservation before heading to the restaurant.

A reservation is when you reserve a table.

That is a table over there and it makes sure you 

have a place to eat when  you get to the restaurant.

Now I have a reservation so I'm going to talk to the host.

Hi, how are you? -Hello, how you doing?

Good, how are you?

I have a reservation for two at 4:00 p.m. -Sure what was the name?

Arianna. 

-Wonderful all righty  I'll show you right this way.

Thank you.

Now what happens if you don't have a reservation?

Well, this is how you can get a table.

Hello, how are you doing? -Good how are you?

Doing well thank you. Do you have a reservation with us today?

No I don't. Do you guys have a table? -Of course how many in your party?

Just two.

When the host asks "How many in your party?", they just 

want to know how many people are coming to eat.

Perfect I'll show you right this way. -Thanks.

Enjoy. -Thank you.

I am sitting at the table. I was sitting over there, but I asked the host if I can move

to this table because there's better lighting for this video.

And the host gave me two menus. This is a menu.

A menu is a list of food and drink items available at a restaurant.

Now I will look through the menu to see what food I want to eat, but as I look I will

wait for the waitress or  the waiter. I'm not sure who 

it is, he or she will  introduce himself or herself,

and they will ask me what kind of beverage I will be drinking today, and he or she will

ask me if I'm ready to order.

In America, we call them waiters if they're men and waitresses if they're women.

A waiter or waitress is the person who takes your order and serves you food.

Hi, my name is Gwen I'll  be your server for tonight. 

Can I get you started with something to drink?

Yeah I'll have a glass of water, please. -Sounds good I'll be right back with that.

Thank you.

Thanks for the glass of water. -Of course.

After you sit down at the table then a server will come to you, he or she will introduce themselves,

and then they will ask if you would like a beverage or something to drink.

So I just ordered a glass of water, but honestly on the back of this menu you can find more

beverages like fountain drinks, cocktails, etc.

Thanks for the glass of water. -Of course. Are we ready to order?

I think I need more time.

After the waiter or waitress comes back with your 

drink then they will ask you  if you're ready to order.

But if you're indecisive like me you might need more time looking at the menu.

Now let's check out the menu. This is the menu

and it has a list of different food options and drink options available at this restaurant.

Now typically a restaurant  will have a physical menu.

Some restaurants right now you will scan a QR code from your phone and then you'll see

the menu appear on your phone. It won't be a physical copy like this menu.

It'll be a virtual copy.

On the menu, you can find appetizers, entrees, desserts, and on the back of the menu beverages.

This is a steakhouse as  well as a seafood restaurant 

so I'm going to order both steak and some seafood.

While taking a look at the menu it's important to be aware if you have any food allergies.

Allergies are a medical condition where your body will react badly to certain ingredients.

For example, if my friend is allergic to shrimp (remember we're inside a seafood restaurant)

she has to be aware of what food is included or has shrimp on top of it.

So basically she can't order  anything that has shrimp.

Let me know down below if you guys have any food allergies.

And I personally don't have any food allergies

so I can order anything from this menu.

I will order a filet mignon

and when you order the waitress will  ask you "How would you like it cooked?".

There are different ways to cook steak.

The first way is rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, and well done.

I will order a filet mignon and I like it cooked medium well.

I don't like it too raw or well done.

Let me know down below how you guys like your steak cooked.

Hi, are we ready to order? -Yeah so for my appetizer

can I get some calamari? And then for my entree, I would like the 6 oz filet mignon.

And how would you like that cooked? -Can I get that medium well?

Okay and for your side? 

-Yeah, can I get a side  of mashed potatoes, please?

And do we want this all to come at once? -Yes, please thank you.

Okay, I'll go put that in right now. -Thanks!

I just ordered food from the waitress and I used some phrases to order food from the menu.

I asked, "Can I get some calamari?" and "I would like a 6 oz filet mignon",

but here are some more options and phrases to order food if you're inside a restaurant.

Let's say you want to order some salmon.

Some casual phrases to ask for this order include:

"I'd like some salmon" "Can I get salmon please?"

"I will have salmon thanks".

But if you want to sound more formal you can say:

"May I get some salmon, please?" "I'd like to order salmon"

and "Could I get some salmon, please?".

Meanwhile I wait for my food, let's see what's on the table.

This is the table and on the  table, there is a tablecloth.

It's a black tablecloth and then on the table, this is a napkin.

And before you eat you'll normally put this on your lap because if food spills on your lap

you don't want it falling on your clothes.

And in front of me, this is a wine glass.

I'm not drinking wine because  I'm just drinking water and 

then I have silverware or you  can also call these utensils.

Silverware or utensils include  a fork, a knife, and a spoon

and normally these will be inside a napkin, but they're just laid out flat on the table.

Now, what's the difference between silverware and utensils?

Silverware are eating utensils made of silver. These are silverware.

Utensils include forks, spoons,  knives, chopsticks, etc., 

even if they're made of plastic,  wood, or other materials.

Thank you so much! -You're welcome.

There we are. -Thank you.

You're welcome. -Everything looks delicious.

Is there anything else I can grab for you -Maybe just a refill of water, please.

I'll go get that right now. -Thank you. 

Thank you so much. -You're welcome.

I just got my food on the table so I ordered some calamari as my appetizer.

So normally with an appetizer, you'll get that before your main dish (before your entree),

but I wanted everything together because I'm really hungry.

And then for my entree, I ordered a 6 oz filet mignon that is medium well

and then I also ordered a side dish of mash potatoes.

Also, if you're indecisive and you don't know what to order you can ask the server

when she takes your order "What do you recommend?"

or "What's your favorite dish on the menu?"

If you need something while  you're eating, for example, 

a refill of water, some more  sauce, or anything with your

food you can call your waiter's attention.

For example, you can wave your hand politely and say "Excuse me!" or "Excuse me sir"

and that will call their attention and they will assist you if you need any help.

I just finished my food and  everything was delicious.

Now, if you're not a big fan of meat like steak or 

animal products you might  be vegetarian or a vegan.

Now, what's the difference between these two terms?

Vegetarian food is a type of food that does not include any meat.

Vegan food is any food that doesn't include any meats and any other products that come from

animals like eggs, dairy, and even honey.

Can I clear some of this stuff out of the way? -Yes, please. I'm finished thank you.

Okay. 

And then can I also get a  refill of some more water?

Of course. -Thanks

Thank you so much. -You're welcome. Did we want a box for this one?

Yes please.

Here's that boxed up for you. -Thank you.

Now what happens if you don't finish eating all of your food like I did.

I had some leftover mashed potatoes. Well, you can take your food to go and it comes in a box.

So these mashed potatoes will be my leftovers for tomorrow.

And would you guys like the check? -Yes please can I get the check?

Thank you so much and I have my card here so I'll just give it to you now.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

When you're ready to leave the restaurant you will need to pay the check or the bill.

So this is the bill and it has  the total cost of your meal.

And then you will pay with a credit card or cash.

Another way to pay for your meal is by splitting the bill with someone.

So if you want to divide the  bill between you and another 

person that means you will split the bill in half.

So you can ask the waiter, "Excuse  me, can you split the bill?"

that way for example instead of paying $50 you and your friend will only spend $25 per person.

I just paid my check or my bill and right now this is my receipt that I paid for it.

Also, in the U.S. waiters and waitresses rely on a heavy portion of tipping as their pay so if you

eat inside a restaurant with  a waiter or waitress that 

is providing you a service  you should tip at least 20%

of the bill to pay the waiter  or waitress for their work.

What happens if I don't want to pay a tip?

Well here in America, it's  very common to pay for your tip 

because the waitress or waiter  is providing a service for you.

Even if you didn't like your food,  if you think it was too spicy, 

or if you just didn't like it at  all, it's common to leave a tip

because that is very polite.

If you don't leave a tip  that could be considered rude 

and impolite so remember if you're eating inside a

restaurant (if you're dining  in), don't forget to leave a tip.

There are two ways to give a tip.

Since I already paid with a  credit card I can just leave 

the tip amount right here  and then I will add up the

total right here, but another way is just to leave a cash tip.

So since I already have cash I'll just leave a cash tip.

I just paid for my meal and I tipped, but before leaving the restaurant I wanna

show you some more parts of this restaurant.

When I first entered I was greeted by the host and then he led me to my table where the

waitress asked me if I wanted anything to eat.

In this restaurant there is  a bar. Behind me is the bar 

and it's a place where people serve drinks.

And the person that serves  drinks is called the bartender.

He's the person that mixes  and serves drinks and then 

the person that helps out the  bartender is called the barback.

He's basically like the  assistant where he helps keep 

everything organized and also  helps with serving drinks.

And of course, this restaurant  has a restroom so if 

you're a man you will use the gents restroom

and if you're a woman you  will use the ladies restroom.

And behind me this is the dining area so this is 

where the host will seat  you at one of these tables.

Also, behind me you can see some servers called 

waitresses or waiters who  will help serve you food.

Also, when you leave there  might be some extra plates 

or silverware on the table  and that's where the busboy

or busgirl will help clear the  table and set up a new table 

for the next couple or family  who want to eat at a table.

And of course. every  restaurant will have a kitchen.

Behind me this is the kitchen and in the kitchen 

you will have a chef who  will prepare delicious food.

My food was amazing. Also there are many more chefs like the head chef, a sous-chef,

you'll also have someone doing the dishes,  

and then someone to bring the food out to the  tables that's called called a food runner.

I just ate inside the restaurant, but this restaurant also has a patio.

This is a patio and it's a  nice place to eat outside 

when the weather is really  warm like in the summer.

Okay everybody that's all for today's video about restaurant vocabulary.

Now you guys are ready to tackle any menu.

Go ahead and give me a like,  subscribe, and remember 

keep practicing your English every day.

Bon Appétit and I'll see you guys next week.

Bye!