a la carte
Choosing each dish separately, at its own price, instead of taking a fixed set meal.
Example: Shall we go a la carte and pick our own dishes?
C217 words · Proficient
Eating Out vocabulary — C2
Restaurant vocabulary for expert-level dining, covering how to peruse an a la carte or prix fixe menu and describing a fastidious epicure's visit to a Michelin-starred restaurant.
17 questions
Words in this set
17gratuity
/ɡrəˈtuɪti/A formal word for money you leave for a waiter as thanks for good service.
Example:
The menu says that a gratuity is not included in the price.
prix fixe
a fixed-price meal with a set number of courses offered by a restaurant.
Example:
The bistro offers a prix fixe menu on Fridays.
peruse
/pərˈuz/to read something carefully and thoroughly, often used humorously about a menu.
Example:
He took his time to peruse the wine list.
fastidious
/fæˈstɪdiəs/very concerned with details and difficult to please, such as a very particular customer.
Example:
The chef is famously fastidious about presentation.
epicure
/ˈɛpɪˌkjʊr/a person who takes great pleasure in fine food and drink.
Example:
As an epicure, she only dines at the best restaurants.
garcon
/ˌɡɑrˈsoʊn/An old-fashioned word for a waiter in a French restaurant.
Example:
He still calls across the room for the garcon, which nobody enjoys.
sommelier
The member of restaurant staff trained to advise guests on wine and to serve it.
Example:
The sommelier suggested a lighter red with the fish.
corkage
The extra fee a restaurant asks for when you bring your own wine and they open and serve it.
Example:
It's ten pounds corkage if you bring your own wine.
convivial
/kənˈvɪviəl/Friendly and cheerful in a way that makes people enjoy eating and drinking together.
Example:
The little trattoria has a warm, convivial feel on Friday nights.
Michelin-starred
describes a restaurant given a top award for extremely high-quality food.
Example:
The chef finally earned his first Michelin-starred restaurant.
epicurean
/ˌɛpəkjʊˈriən/relating to a great love and appreciation of fine food and drink.
Example:
The menu reflects the chef's epicurean philosophy.
patronage
/ˈpætrənɪdʒ/the support given to a business, such as a restaurant, by its regular customers.
Example:
The café relies on loyal local patronage.
proprietor
/prəˈpraɪətər/the owner of a business, such as a restaurant.
Example:
The proprietor greeted us personally at the door.
esteemed
/ɪˈstimd/very much respected and admired, such as a highly regarded restaurant.
Example:
He trained under an esteemed chef in Paris.
unassuming
/ˌʌnəˈsumɪŋ/not grand or impressive in appearance, though sometimes surprisingly good.
Example:
The food was superb despite the unassuming decor.
gastronome
Someone who takes great interest in good food.
Example:
No gastronome would let a waiter choose the wine for them.
