Here’s another episode suggested by one of our awesome listeners! Going out to restaurants is pretty simple, but there are so many details to consider, like how to order exactly what you want, where to sit, and how to pay. Harp and Maura love going out to eat, and in this episode they share some popular restaurant expressions and talk about what to do in different restaurant situations. You can take this episode to go!
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Expressions included in the learning materials
- What are you waiting for?
- To eat out
- The best bet
- A booth
- A bring-your-own-wine restaurant
- I’ll have, I’d like, and other ways to order
- The bill or the cheque
- Tipping
- To punch something in
- A sweet tooth
- Popular option with main dishes
- Types of eggs and other breakfast choices
- A fave
- A guilty pleasure
- To take it to go or to get take-away
- A waitress or a waiter
Sample transcript:
Maura: Because Harp and I love to eat and we love going to restaurants, so this episode is a pleasure for us.
Harp: Definitely. So today we’re going to be talking about eating out. We’re going to start with talking about the restaurant experience.
Maura: And then we’re going to talk about making choices and deciding what to order at a restaurant.
Harp: And then we’re gonna talk about types of restaurants and our favourites.
Maura: Mmm. You know, I’m sure by the end of this episode, I’m gonna be really hungry.
Harp: I’m sure as well. Maura: Even though I just ate dinner, but I’ll be hungry again. Harp: That’s what happens when we talk about food.
Maura: That’s it. So, let’s get started with the restaurant experience.
Harp: All right. Well, I guess it starts when you walk in and you’re waiting to be seated.
Maura: Right. Now sometimes when you walk in, it’s not even clear if you should wait to be seated or you should seat yourself. Sometimes there’s a sign that says “Wait to be seated” or “Seat yourself,” but sometimes you’re kind of standing there and you’re not sure what to do.
Harp: Yeah. Usually if I don’t know, I wait for someone to tell me what to do.
Maura: Right. And usually if you’re standing around, someone will tell you to have a seat. So, it’s your best bet to just hang out at the entrance for a few minutes if you’re not sure.
Harp: Yes, exactly.
Maura: And if it is a place where you should wait to be seated, then someone will come over and ask you how many people are in your party, so how many people are going to be sitting with you for your meal.
Harp: Yeah, and sometimes if it’s really busy, you have to wait and they’ll tell you how long it’s going to be.
Maura: Right. And sometimes, if it’s really not busy, they’ll give you an option of where to sit. So you could sit at a table near the window or maybe there’s a booth that’s available, and people like booths.
Harp: I definitely like sitting in a booth. It’s more comfortable and relaxing.
Maura: And it feels a little bit more private because you’re kind of closed off a little bit and you have your own space.
Harp: Exactly. Sometimes those restaurant chairs are not comfortable.
Podcast/Learning Materials: Culips English Podcast