点菜有两种方式,一是a la carte照单点菜,一是table d'hote或fixed price meal份饭,套餐,后一种有几道固定的菜肴和饮料,价格也是固定的。它的优点就是方便快捷,点菜时只需指着菜单说:
Please give me this one. 请给我来这个。
We want two number eights, please. 我们要四份第八套餐。
在点菜之前,一般先要份菜单:May I have a menu, please? 我可以看菜单吗?
如果不急于点菜,可以在服务生问到:Can I take your order now? 你现在叫点什么吗?
回答:Not quite. Could I have a few more minutes?不,我可以再多等会吗?
需要叫菜时,可以说:Please take my order. 请接受点菜。
如果对当地的菜肴不熟悉,可以问:What is the specialty1 of the restaurant?这家店的招牌餐是什么?
Do you have any special meals today?今天有什么特餐吗?
What would you recommend? I prefer something light.我想来点清淡些的,你能推荐什么吗?
也可以让同来的人替你作主,或是点重复的饭菜:I'll leave it to you. 我让你来点。
I'll have the same as that one. 我要一份和那个一样的。
自己点菜可以更随意些,例如:
A:Could you tell me how this thing is cooked?能否告诉我这道菜是怎么做的?
B:Lobster? It's steamed and served with our special sauce.龙虾?蒸过后加上本店特制的调味料。
A:Is it good?好吃吗?
B:Sure. It's a most popular dish.当然,很受欢迎的。
A:I think I'll try some lobster2, and give me some green salad together.我想我来点儿吧。再给我一份蔬菜沙拉。
B:We have three dressings3 for salad. Which one would you like ?我们有三种沙拉调味汁,您要哪种?
A:What kind do you have?你们有什么?
B:We have Italian, French and Thousand Island.有意大利,法国和千岛的。
A:Make it French please.给我法式的吧。