Fine Dining Etiquette - A Survival Guide

A quick rundown of who you'll encounter whentuxedo. Waiters are the ones that pick up your
dining at a fine restaurant: The Maitre D',food and drinks from the kitchen and bar and do
sometimes referred to as the headwaiter, will bethe actual serving. Busboys are the ones that are
standing at the dining room's entrance. He will beresponsible for clearing your table and such tasks
the one to show you to your table and will seatas refilling your water glass, and in older days for
you. He is the man that you will talk to if yougiving a clean ashtray. The wine steward, also
would like any sort of special service or have anyknown as a sommelier, will present the list of
certain request. He is easily identifiable because hewines to the host. It is perfectly acceptable for
will be the one in a tuxedo. He serves the sameyou to ask for a suggestion.
function as a captain in a smaller restaurant. IfThe Menu: Most likely you will receive an a la
there is food to be prepared at the table, forcarte menu which means that everything you see
example Steak Diane, it will be cooked by theis priced separately. The entree will often include a
captain (maitre d').portion of rice or potatoes, but the vegetable will
You will notice that the captain will be the one tocome at an additional cost. If you receive a menu
take your order and will oversee that it wasthat is called a table d'hote or prix fixe, the prices
prepared to your requests by the kitchen, and willyou see will be fore the entree and will include
serve it properly. If you are at a restaurant thatyour dinner, with an appetizer, and you'll also get a
has no maitre d' the captain will perform thesesalad, dessert. Yes!
responsibilities. He will also be uniformed in a