Unit 17 Reading Activities Plus Questions

Scene in a Restaurant

This scene takes place in a restaurant during a business lunch. The server, Lisa, approaches the table where Mr. Thompson and Ms. Rodriguez are seated.

Lisa: Good afternoon! Welcome to Le Petit Bistro. My name is Lisa, and I'll be your server today. Do you have a reservation?

Mr. Thompson: Yes, we do. It's under the name Thompson.

Lisa: Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Would you like an aperitif to start your lunch?

Ms. Rodriguez: Yes, I'd like a glass of white wine, please.

Mr. Thompson: And I'll have a glass of iced tea, please.

Lisa: Great choices! What can I get you for starters?

Ms. Rodriguez: We'll have an order of French fries as an appetizer, please.

Mr. Thompson: And I'd like the Caprese salad.

Lisa: Excellent choices. Would you like to order your entrees now?

Ms. Rordiguez: After the appetizers please.

Lisa: Certainly. I will place your order right away. Please wait a moment.

Lisa returns with their drinks and takes their appetizer and salad orders.

Lisa: Here you go, a glass of white wine and a glass of iced tea for you. And here are your French fries and Caprese salad. Enjoy!

They enjoy their appetizers, and Lisa returns to the table.]

Lisa: Is everything alright with the appetizers? Are you ready to order your main courses?

Mr. Thompson: Yes, we're ready. I'll have the grilled salmon with roasted vegetables please.

Ms. Rodriguez: And I'll go for the gluten-free pasta with marinara sauce.

Lisa: Grilled salmon and gluten-free pasta marinara. Your orders will be up shortly. Do you have any dietary restrictions or specific preferences we should be aware of?

Mr. Thompson: Yes, I'm lactose intolerant, so I would appreciate it if my dish could be prepared without any dairy.

Ms. Rodriguez: And I follow a gluten-free diet, so no regular pasta for me.

Lisa: Noted. We'll make sure your meals meet your dietary needs. Excuse me, I just want to double-check if you would like any additional sides with your main courses.

Mr. Thompson: No, thank you. The grilled salmon with roasted vegetables is perfect on its own.

Ms. Rodriguez: Likewise, the gluten-free pasta sounds delightful as is.

Lisa: Perfect. I will be right back with your meals.

After a while, Lisa brings their main courses to the table.]

Lisa: Here we are: the grilled salmon with roasted vegetables here, and the gluten-free pasta right here. Enjoy!

Lisa leaves them to enjoy their meals. After a while, she returns to the table.

Lisa: Is everything alright with your food? Are you ready for dessert or would you like some time?

Mr. Thompson: Excellent, thank you. It was delicious. We might need some time before dessert though.

Lisa: Absolutely, take your time. Just let me know when you're ready. May I clear your empty plates?

Ms. Rodriguez: Yes, please go ahead.

Lisa clears the plates and returns with the dessert menu.

Lisa: Here's the dessert menu for you, whenever you're ready to order please give me a shout.

After reviewing the dessert menu.

Mr. Thompson: Can have the chocolate lava cake, please?

Ms. Rodriguez: And I'd like the fruit sorbet.

Lisa: Excellent choices. Anything else I can get you?

Mr. Thompson: No, thank you. Just the desserts for now and the check please.

Lisa: Of course. I'll bring your desserts and the bill to the table shortly. Lisa: Are you paying together or separately?

Mr. Thompson: Together, please.

After serving the desserts.

Lisa: Enjoy your desserts! And here's your bill.

Mr. Thompson and Ms. Rodriguez enjoy their desserts, and when they're ready to leave, they call over Lisa once more.

Lisa: How were your desserts? Good? Will you be paying by cash or card?

Mr. Thompson: Here’s my card.

Lisa: Alright, I'll process your payment right away. Here you go, your receipt. Thank you for dining at Le Petit Bistro, and we hope to see you again soon.

Ms. Rodriguez: Thank you for the excellent service, you have been so attentive. We had a wonderful lunch.

Lisa: It's my pleasure. Have a great day!

Mr. Thompson and Ms. Rodriguez leave the restaurant, satisfied with their dining experience.]

Discussion Questions
  • Write a short dialog similar to this one. But pretend one of the guest is noticeably intoxicated.
  • Pretend one of the customers gets the wrong order. How does the server handle it?
  • Pretend one of the guests has a heart attack while eating. What does the server do?
Go to unit menu