C119 words · Advanced

Eating Out vocabulary — C1

Restaurant vocabulary for advanced dining situations, covering how to opt for a tasting menu, settle up an itemised bill and describe the cuisine and ambience of a gastropub.

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Words in this set

complimentary
/ˌkɑmpləˈmɛntəri/
Given free by a restaurant or hotel as a small extra you never pay for.
Example: They brought us a complimentary dessert for the birthday.
speciality
/ˌspɛʃiˈælɪti/
The one dish a restaurant or a region is best known for and most proud of.
Example: Grilled octopus is the speciality of this little place.
opt for
To choose one thing from a menu or a list instead of another.
Example: I think I'll opt for the grilled sea bass tonight.
allergen
/ˈælərdʒən/
A substance in food that makes certain people ill when they eat it.
Example: The menu lists every allergen at the bottom of the page.
settle up
To pay the money you owe at the end of a meal or an evening out.
Example: Shall we settle up now and move on to the bar?
tasting menu
a meal made up of several small dishes, letting customers try different things a chef makes.
Example: We tried the chef's seven-course tasting menu.
itemised bill
a restaurant bill that lists every dish and drink separately, rather than a single total.
Example: She asked for an itemised bill to check the total.
discretionary
/dɪˈskrɛʃəˌnɛri/
left to a person's own choice, not compulsory, such as an optional service charge.
Example: The service charge here is discretionary.
waive
/weɪv/
to officially say that a fee or rule does not have to be followed.
Example: The manager agreed to waive the delivery fee.
cuisine
/kwɪˈzin/
The style of cooking that belongs to a particular country or region.
Example: This place does the best Thai cuisine in town.
ambience
/ˈæmbiəns/
The mood or feel of a place, created by its lighting, music and decoration.
Example: The food was fine, but the ambience was wonderful.
cater
/ˈkeɪtər/
To provide and serve food and drink as a business for a party, wedding or meeting.
Example: A local company will cater the wedding reception.
doggy bag
A container a restaurant gives you so you can take home the food you did not finish.
Example: Could we get a doggy bag for the rest of this?
clientele
/ˌklaɪənˈtɛl/
All the people who regularly eat or drink at a particular place.
Example: This little bistro has a loyal, mostly local clientele.
bustling
/ˈbʌsəlɪŋ/
Full of people moving around quickly, in a busy and lively way.
Example: The bustling market café was packed by half past twelve.
premises
/ˈprɛməsəz/
The building and the land around it that a shop or business uses.
Example: Customers may not drink their own wine on the premises.
gastropub
an establishment that serves high-quality food in a relaxed, informal setting, more like a restaurant.
Example: We had Sunday lunch at a smart gastropub.
maître d'
the person in charge of the waiting staff and seating in a restaurant.
Example: The maître d' showed us to our table.
upscale
/ˈʌpˌskeɪl/
describes a restaurant or product that is expensive and of high quality.
Example: They booked a table at an upscale restaurant downtown.