- The appetizer is the first of the four courses in a four-course meal. There are many types of appetizers, and it depends completely on what type of cuisine you are eating. At a typical middle-class American family restaurant, appetizers may include chicken wings, nachos, mozzarella sticks, potato skins, as well as many different types of fried foods. A typical appetizer in Mexican food is a quesadilla or guacamole dip. Chinese food appetizers are sometimes spring rolls, egg rolls, or crab rangoons. Appetizers are light and flavorful, and something to set the pace for the rest of the meal.
- The soup or salad course is light and again varies according to what cuisine you are eating. Some restaurants offer only soups in the four-course meal, some offer only salads, and some let you choose. Popular salads include Caesar salads, Cobb salads or house salads. Chinese food is more centered on soups than salads, including egg drop soup or sweet and sour soup. A typical salad in Mexican cuisine is a taco salad.
- The entree is the main course, the staple of the meal. It is typically the priciest part of the four-course meal, featuring animal protein. The main course might be steak, seafood or a chicken dish. Italian restaurants feature many pastas, chicken dishes and seafood dishes. One popular Italian entree is chicken parmigiana. Mexican food entrees include burritos, enchiladas, and tacos.
- The dessert is the sweet finish to a large meal. Pies, cakes, cobblers, puddings, ice creams, gelato, and other various sweet treats fall in this last category. French cuisine specializes in desserts, such as crème brûlée, eclairs, and puff pastries. Mexican desserts include apple empanadas and fried churros. Who can resist dessert to cap an indulgent four-course meal?
- Many people don't realize that ordering a four-course meal is going to be significantly more expensive than ordering simply an entree at dinner. Make sure you have enough money to cover the bill.
