At the Restaurant – Ordering Dinner

Scene: A casual restaurant in the evening. Naomi and James are sitting at a table, looking at the menus. The server walks over.

Conversation

SERVER: Good evening! My name is Alex, and I’ll be your server tonight. Can I get you something to drink to start?

NAOMI: Hi, Alex. Yes, I’d like a glass of water and an iced tea, please.

JAMES: And I’ll have a sparkling water with lemon.

SERVER: Great. I’ll bring those right out. Have you had a chance to look at the menu?

NAOMI: A little, but it’s our first time here. Do you have any recommendations?

SERVER: Our grilled chicken with vegetables is very popular, and the salmon pasta is also a guest favorite.

JAMES: That sounds good. Do the main dishes come with a salad?

SERVER: Yes, they come with a side salad or soup. You can choose one.

NAOMI: I’ll have the grilled chicken, please, with a side salad. Can I get the dressing on the side?

SERVER: Of course. What kind of dressing would you like? We have Italian, ranch, and vinaigrette.

NAOMI: Vinaigrette, please.

JAMES: I’ll try the salmon pasta with soup. What kind of soup is it today?

SERVER: Today’s soup is tomato basil.

JAMES: Perfect, I’ll take that. And could we share one order of garlic bread as an appetizer?

SERVER: Absolutely. Anything else for now?

NAOMI: That’s all, thank you.

The server leaves and later returns with the food.

SERVER: Here you go: grilled chicken with salad and vinaigrette on the side, salmon pasta with tomato basil soup, and garlic bread for the table. Can I get you anything else?

NAOMI: Everything looks great. Could I have a little more water, please?

SERVER: Sure thing. I’ll refill your glass.

Naomi and James start eating.

JAMES: This is really good. The salmon is very fresh.

NAOMI: My chicken is delicious too. The portions are big.

After they finish eating, the server comes back.

SERVER: How was everything?

NAOMI: It was excellent, thank you.

JAMES: Yes, we really enjoyed it.

SERVER: I’m glad to hear that. Would you like to see the dessert menu, or are you ready for the check?

NAOMI: I think we’re full. We’re ready for the check, please.

SERVER: No problem. I’ll bring it right over.

The server places the bill on the table.

JAMES: Do you want to split the bill?

NAOMI: Yes, let’s split it. We’ll each pay half.

SERVER: I can split it into two checks if you’d like.

NAOMI: That would be great, thank you.

They pay and get ready to leave.

SERVER: Thank you for coming in tonight. Have a great evening!

NAOMI: Thanks, you too.

JAMES: Bye!

— THE END —

Vocabulary List

Server /ˈsɜːrvər/ (n.) a person who brings food and drinks to customers in a restaurant. Example: My name is Alex, and I’ll be your server tonight.
Menu /ˈmenjuː/ (n.) a list of food and drinks that a restaurant offers. Example: Have you had a chance to look at the menu?
Appetizer /ˈæpɪtaɪzər/ (n.) a small dish eaten before the main course. Example: We ordered garlic bread as an appetizer.
Main course /meɪn kɔːrs/ (n.) the largest or most important part of a meal. Example: The grilled chicken is a main course.
Side (dish) /saɪd dɪʃ/ (n.) a small dish that comes with the main course, like salad or soup. Example: The main dishes come with a side salad or soup.
Dressing /ˈdresɪŋ/ (n.) a sauce, often made with oil and vinegar, put on salad. Example: Can I get the dressing on the side?
Portion /ˈpɔːrʃn/ (n.) the amount of food served to one person. Example: The portions are big in this restaurant.
Check (bill) /tʃek/ (n.) a piece of paper that shows how much you must pay at a restaurant. Example: We’re ready for the check, please.
Split the bill /splɪt ðə bɪl/ (phr. v.) to divide the total cost so each person pays part of it. Example: Do you want to split the bill?
Refill /ˈriːfɪl/ (v./n.) to fill a glass or cup again. Example: Could I have a refill of water, please?

At the Restaurant: Ordering Dinner

Characters:

Conversation

Vocabulary List