Lesson 11: At the restaurant

Customer /ˈkʌs.tə.mɚ/ (Example: The waiter welcomed every customer with a smile.)

(noun) a person who buys goods or services from a shop or business.

Guest /ɡest/ (Example: The flight attendant greeted every guest politely before takeoff.)

(noun) a person who is invited to a place or event, or who is staying at a hotel.

Host /hoʊst/ (Example: The host recommended the restaurant's must-try dish.)

(noun) a person who invites guests to a meal or event.

Hostess /ˈhoʊ.stəs/ (Example: The hostess showed us to a table near the window.)

(noun) a woman whose job is to welcome customers in a restaurant.

Dining table /ˈdaɪ.nɪŋ ˌteɪ.bəl/ (Example: My extended family gets together around the dining table every Sunday.)

(noun) a table where people eat meals.

Non-smoking section /ˌnɑːn ˈsmoʊ.kɪŋ ˌsek.ʃən/ (Example: We chose the non-smoking section because my grandmother was with us.)

(noun) an area in a restaurant where smoking is not allowed.

Must-try /ˌmʌst ˈtraɪ/ (Example: The waiter said the grilled lamb was the restaurant's must-try dish.)

(adjective) highly recommended because it is especially good.

Dish /dɪʃ/ (Example: My favorite dish is grilled chicken with chili sauce.)

(noun) a particular type of prepared food.

Side dish /ˈsaɪd ˌdɪʃ/ (Example: We ordered a salad as a side dish with our beef.)

(noun) food served with the main dish.

Napkin /ˈnæp.kɪn/ (Example: The waiter gave me an extra napkin after I spilled soup.)

(noun) a piece of cloth or paper used while eating to protect your clothes or clean your mouth.

Glass /ɡlæs/ (Example: The hostess brought me a glass of water because the weather was boiling.)

(noun) a container used for drinking.

Plate /pleɪt/ (Example: The cook placed the grilled pork on a large plate.)

(noun) a flat dish used for serving or eating food.

Beverage /ˈbev.ɚ.ɪdʒ/ (Example: Tea is my favorite beverage after dinner.)

(noun) a drink.

Discount /ˈdɪs.kaʊnt/ (Example: Students receive a 10% discount with their student ID.)

(noun) a reduction in the usual price.

Service /ˈsɝː.vɪs/ (Example: The service was excellent, so we decided to leave a tip.)

(noun) the way customers are treated in a restaurant, hotel, or shop.

Atmosphere /ˈæt.məˌsfɪr/ (Example: The restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere, so my family loves eating there.)

(noun) the feeling or mood of a place.

Full /fʊl/ (Example: The restaurant was full, so we had to wait for a table.)

(adjective) having no space left because all seats or tables are occupied.

Recommend /ˌrek.əˈmend/ (Example: My tutor recommended the grilled beef.)

(verb) to suggest that someone should have or do something because it is good.

Order /ˈɔr.dɚ/ (Example: We ordered soup, grilled chicken, and dessert.)

(verb) to ask for food or drinks in a restaurant.

Eat out /iːt aʊt/ (Example: My immediate family eats out every Saturday evening.)

(phrasal verb) to eat at a restaurant instead of at home.

Reservation /ˌrez.ɚˈveɪ.ʃən/ (Example: Our reservation was for 7:00 p.m.)

(noun) an arrangement to keep a table for someone at a restaurant.

Have a reservation /hæv ə ˌrez.ɚˈveɪ.ʃən/ (Example: We have a reservation under my father's name.)

(verb phrase) to have already booked a table.

Make a booking /meɪk ə ˈbʊk.ɪŋ/ (Example: My mother made a booking because the restaurant is very popular.)

(verb phrase) to reserve a table in advance.

Be booked up /bi bʊkt ʌp/ (Example: The restaurant was booked up on Saturday night.)

(verb phrase) to have no tables available because everything has been reserved.

Set up /set ʌp/ (Example: The waiter set up the dining table before the guests arrived.)

(phrasal verb) to prepare or arrange something.

Tip /tɪp/ (Example: We gave the waiter a generous tip because the service was excellent.)

(noun) extra money given to someone for good service.

Leave a tip /liːv ə tɪp/ (Example: My father always leaves a tip when the food and service are excellent.)

(verb phrase) to give extra money to a server after paying the bill.

Cuisine /kwɪˈziːn/ (Example: The hostess recommended the restaurant because it serves authentic Italian cuisine, and the grilled lamb is their must-try dish.)

(noun) a style of cooking, especially the food from a particular country or region