How to Order Well at Restaurants

A restaurant menu tells you a story about the chef and his or her approach to food. Read it, not just to satisfy your cravings, but to discover this perspective.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Restaurant Guides
• Newspaper
• Newspaper
• Internet Access
• Credit Cards And Loans

1. Choose restaurants wisely. Spend your money on quality as opposed to quantity.

2. Research the restaurant you are dining in. Read reviews on the Internet, in books of reviews, or in newspapers. Find out what the chef's strengths are.

3. Approach the chef as an artist. Use the menu as a way to tap into this artistry.

4. Gauge the menu. Look over it thoroughly and carefully. See if you can discern themes - what the chef seems to like doing. (Does the chef prefer classic bistro dishes, like coq au vin, or pan-Asian influences, like mussels in a curry broth?)

5. Based on your reading of reviews and the menu, order in the vein of what the chef likes to cook.

6. Don't let the waiter rush you.

7. Order seasonally. Order lighter fare when the weather is hotter, and keep in mind what ingredients are in season at local markets.

8. Ask questions. Let the waitperson advise you if he or she can discuss the menu without reading off a notepad. If you're interested in a particular entrée but not sure of a starter, for example, ask the waitperson what's best with your entrée choice.

9. Consider, but don't limit yourself to, the specials; they should reflect seasonal availability.

Tips & Warnings

• You will improve your palate for both food and wine by ordering carefully and intentionally.
• If almost every entrée on the menu is a meat dish, chances are the chef likes to cook meat; it's probably best not to order the one fish or vegetarian option. If the menu offers a wide variety of vegetable dishes and vegetables in the meat dishes, the chef undoubtedly likes to add this sort of color and flavor to food.
• Don't expect to get French food at an Italian restaurant. Know what to expect before you get there.
• Put yourself in the hands of your waitperson and the restaurant staff. They are often food lovers and can offer valuable insight. In the better restaurants, this is what they are there for. If they are not helpful, they are not doing their jobs.

[julie0323]

on 4/18/2007 I usually ask the waiter what he/she likes best on the menu. I can usually tell if they are telling the truth by level of enthusiasm and what they pick out (less is better in my opinion, then they are really narrowing down what they like).

If they said they aren't really into something I view that as a huge plus. Then I feel like they are being honest and aren't trying to push the whole menu and/or restaurant on me.