Business Dinner at a Restaurant

 

Usually after the talks our engineer invites representatives of other companies to have dinner at some of the restaurants in our city. There are many kinds of restaurants in Minsk. Most of them are traditional restaurants where a waiter serves customers, self-service restaurants are very rare exception. There are many small restaurants and cafes which are very popular and crowded especially during the lunch-hour, but it is getting more and more expensive to have meals there. At self-service cafeterias a customer serves himself and he can get a meal more quickly and less expensive.

When the manager of our company invites an English businessman to a restaurant, he chooses among different types of Minsk restaurants a place similar to the famous English pub with its cosy and friendly atmosphere. English people go there not only for some beer or whisky, but to meet their friends and spend the whole evening there till closing time.

So after the talks the two businessmen come into the restaurant, take their seats at a table near the window and order cocktails. They study the menu to see what's on it. The waiter comes to their table and asks if they are ready to order. As a rule, businessmen are rather hungry after the talks and the choice of dishes on the menu is rich. They order mushroom soup for the first course and meat with vegetables for the second course. The vegetables are very good but the meat is a bit dry. The engineer likes fried chicken. The chicken is delicious. The English businessman doesn't like fish and roast beef is not his idea of a good meal. His favorite dish is steak. They start with sausages with new potatoes and green salad. They ask the waiter to bring a bottle of red wine. Later they order dessert: fruit or ice-cream. They finish with black coffee and cheese. The prices on the menu are not very expensive. The engineer pays the bill. During the dinner the two businessmen don't talk about their business, they prefer to have an informal chat (talk). They enjoy their dinner at the restaurant and come to better understanding, feel more confidence to each other.

 

Make up a summary of the text.

Cross out the word in each group which cannot follow the verb.

 

1. FRY	onion	potato	water	fish
2. BAKE	potato	bread	cake	milk
3. GRILL	sausages	egg	bacon	hamburger
4. BOIL	steak	egg	milk	potato
5. GRIN	coffee	salt	pepper	cheese
6. GRATE	cabbage	carrot	potato	salt
7. SLICE	flour	onion	bread	cheese
8. STEAM	rice	fish	biscuits	vegetables
9. ROAST	beef	tomato	lamb	potato
10. CHOP	onion	parsley	nuts	milk

 

Learn the information to know more about cafes and restaurants.

 

In Britain you often have three courses: a starter (e.g. soup), a main course (e.g. steak or chicken), and a dessert (e.g. strawberries or ice cream). You may also have an aperitif (= a drink before the meal, e.g. gin and tonic), and coffee after the meal. When you pay the bill (= the money for the meal; AmEng = check), you sometimes also leave a tip (= money) for the waiter if service is not included in the price. (10% is a normal tip). If it is a popular restaurant, you may also need to book (=reserve) a table in advance (= before you go.)

 

Read the dialogue and choose the correct word or expression.

 

Waiter: Hello, can I (help/show) you?

Kim: Yes, I (like / would like) to have some lunch.

Waiter: Would you like a starter?

Kim: Yes, I’d like a (cup/bowl) of chicken soup, please.

Waiter: And what would you like for a (main course/dessert)?

Kim: I’d like a grilled cheese sandwich.

Waiter: Would you like (some/anything) to drink?

Kim: Yes, I’d like a (jug/glass) of Coke, please.

Waiter…After Kim has her lunch.: Can I bring you anything else?

Kim: No thank you, just the (bill/tip).

Waiter: Certainly.

Kim: I don’t have my glasses. (How many/How much) is the lunch?

Waiter: That’s $6.75.

Kim: Here you are. Thank you very much.

Waiter: You are (good bye/welcome). Have a good day.

Kim: Thank you, the same to you.

 

Read out the dialogues in pairs. Explain the words in bold. Role-play them.

 

In a restaurant

 

Waiter: Good evening, sir. May I take your order?

Tim: Yes, please. I'll have the vegetable soup to start with.

Waiter: And for the main course?

Tim: I'm not sure. What's today's special?

Waiter: It's grilled fish with carrots.

Tim: That sounds nice. I'll have that, please.

Waiter: Would you like anything to drink?

Tim: A large glass of mineral water, please.

Waiter: Thank you.

Ann: Did you have a nice meal?

Bill: Yes, I did. The fish was wonderful, wasn't it?

Ann: Yes, it was. There was so much, but we finished it, didn't we?

Bill: Mm. I do like it here. We haven't been here for ages, have we?

Ann: No, we haven't. It has a nice atmosphere, and it's very reasonable, isn't it?

Bill: Yes, it is. And the waiters really look after you, don't they?

Ann: Yes, they do. Shall we go home now?

Bill: OK. Let's go.

 

Discuss with your partner.

 

• How often do you eat out?
• Where do you usually go when you eat out?
• Who do you usually go with when you eat out?
• Do you normally need to book a restaurant in advance?
• Do you like western food? (Japanese? Thai? Italian?)
• Do you know how to order food in English?
• Have you ever done so?
• Is it common to give the waiter a tip? If so, how much?
• Do you normally eat three courses in a restaurant? If not, how many courses do you normally have?
• Do you add more salt to your food when you eat in restaurants?
• Would you say that food in your country is very spicy?
• Would you say that food in your country is generally quite fattening?

 

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