¡Hola! You've already mastered basic food ordering, but dining out in a Spanish-speaking country offers a rich cultural experience that goes beyond simply asking for a dish. This chapter, 'Cenar Fuera y Pedir Comida (Avanzado),' will equip you with the advanced vocabulary and phrases needed to navigate complex menus, discuss dietary restrictions, handle service issues, and fully enjoy your culinary adventures. ¡Buen provecho!
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
Imagine you're at a traditional Spanish restaurant, faced with an extensive menu full of delicious but unfamiliar dishes. How would you ask the waiter for a recommendation? What if you have a food allergy? This chapter will prepare you for these more intricate dining situations, allowing you to truly savor the local cuisine and culture.
(Review): From Chapter 21, how would you ask 'I want a glass of water, please?' (Quiero un vaso de agua, por favor.). How would you say 'The food is delicious?' (La comida está deliciosa).
Master advanced dining vocabulary and phrases for a perfect meal.
Import Chapter 75 Flashcards(Requires login to import/study)
Instructions: Match the Spanish term with its English meaning.
A. grilled (on a griddle)
B. waiter/waitress
C. seafood restaurant
D. gluten-free
E. the bill/check
Answer Key:
1-C, 2-B, 3-D, 4-A, 5-E
Instructions: Complete the sentences with an appropriate word or phrase from the chapter.
Answer Key (Examples):
Instructions: In pairs, one person is the customer (el/la cliente/a) and the other is the waiter/waitress (el/la camarero/a).
1. The customer asks for recommendations, inquires about ingredients, and mentions a dietary restriction.
2. The waiter/waitress explains dishes, confirms ingredients, and offers alternatives.
3. The customer orders, and later, politely addresses a minor issue (e.g., food is cold, wrong side dish).
4. They ask for the bill and discuss payment.
Switch roles and repeat with different scenarios.
Dining out in Spanish-speaking countries is often a relaxed and social affair, especially dinner, which typically starts later (e.g., 9 PM or 10 PM in Spain). Meals are meant to be savored, and conversations can be lively and extended. It's common for people to linger at the table long after finishing their food, enjoying coffee or a digestif.
Tipping customs vary. In Spain, a small tip (a few euros for good service) is common, but service charge is often included in the bill ("servicio incluido"). In many Latin American countries, a 10% tip is standard if service is not already included. Always check the bill to see if "servicio" or "propina" has already been added. It's considered polite to greet your waiter ("Hola" or "Buenas tardes") and thank them ("Gracias") when they approach your table.
Don't be surprised if the waiter doesn't bring the bill until you explicitly ask for it; it's not considered rude, but rather a sign that you're not being rushed. To ask for the bill, a simple "La cuenta, por favor" is sufficient.
When discussing preferences or dietary needs, be clear and direct. Use phrases like:
Key takeaway: Don't hesitate to ask specific questions about ingredients, especially for allergies. Your health is important!
Narrador: Ana y su amiga Elena decidieron cenar en un restaurante nuevo, "El Sabor Latino".
Ana: Quisiera hacer una reserva para dos personas a las ocho, por favor.
Restaurante: Sí, a nombre de Ana. Les esperamos.
(Más tarde, en el restaurante)
Camarero: Buenas noches, ¿tienen reserva?
Ana: Sí, a nombre de Ana. Una mesa para dos.
Camarero: Por aquí, por favor. Aquí tienen la carta.
Elena: ¡Qué menú tan variado! ¿Qué me recomiendas, Ana?
Ana: No sé. Camarero, ¿cuál es la especialidad de la casa?
Camarero: Nuestra paella de marisco es excelente. También tenemos un solomillo a la plancha muy bueno.
Elena: La paella suena deliciosa, pero soy alérgica a los mariscos. ¿Este plato contiene marisco?
Camarero: Sí, la paella de marisco sí. Pero podemos hacer una paella de verduras sin marisco, si prefiere.
Elena: ¡Perfecto! Para mí, la paella de verduras.
Ana: Yo quisiera el solomillo, bien hecho, por favor.
Camarero: Muy bien. Enseguida.
(Después de la cena)
Ana: Todo estuvo delicioso, muchas gracias. ¿Nos trae la cuenta, por favor?
Camarero: Claro. Aquí tienen. ¿Con tarjeta o en efectivo?
Elena: Con tarjeta. La propina está incluida, ¿verdad?
Camarero: No, la propina no está incluida. Es a su discreción.
Ana: Entendido. Gracias. ¡Volveremos!
Narrator: Ana and her friend Elena decided to have dinner at a new restaurant, "El Sabor Latino."
Ana: I would like to make a reservation for two people at eight o'clock, please.
Restaurant: Yes, under the name Ana. We look forward to seeing you.
(Later, at the restaurant)
Waiter: Good evening, do you have a reservation?
Ana: Yes, under the name Ana. A table for two.
Waiter: This way, please. Here is the menu.
Elena: What a varied menu! What do you recommend, Ana?
Ana: I don't know. Waiter, what is the house specialty?
Waiter: Our seafood paella is excellent. We also have a very good grilled sirloin steak.
Elena: The paella sounds delicious, but I'm allergic to seafood. Does this dish contain seafood?
Waiter: Yes, the seafood paella does. But we can make a vegetable paella without seafood, if you prefer.
Elena: Perfect! For me, the vegetable paella.
Ana: I would like the sirloin steak, well-done, please.
Waiter: Very good. Coming right up.
(After dinner)
Ana: Everything was delicious, thank you very much. Could you bring us the bill, please?
Waiter: Of course. Here you go. By card or in cash?
Elena: By card. The tip is included, right?
Waiter: No, the tip is not included. It's at your discretion.
Ana: Understood. Thank you. We'll be back!
el restaurante, la cafetería, el bar de tapas, el menú/la carta, el/la camarero/a, la reserva, los ingredientes, la carne, el pescado, el marisco, las verduras, picante, dulce, salado/a, a la plancha, al horno, frito/a, crudo/a, la alergia, sin gluten, vegetariano/a, vegano/a, la cuenta, la propina, el servicio, poco hecho/a, bien hecho/a.
Quisiera hacer una reserva. ¿Qué me recomienda? ¿Cuál es la especialidad? Soy alérgico/a a... ¿Este plato contiene...? ¿Podría hacerse sin...? ¿Cómo quiere la carne? La comida está fría. Creo que hay un error en la cuenta. ¿Nos trae la cuenta?
¡Magnífico! You are now equipped to handle a wide range of dining experiences in Spanish, from making reservations to discussing complex dietary needs. In our next "Desenvoltura Práctica" chapter, we'll delve into **Discussing Technology and Internet Issues.** This will involve learning how to describe technical problems, ask for support, and understand solutions. ¡Hasta la próxima!