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<\/a><\/p>\nIf you\u2019ve chosen a swanky bistro that is regularly flooded with devoted patrons, you may need to make a reservation ahead of time. Call them up on the phone and be sure to greet with a friendly salutation. Next, tell them:<\/p>\n
Quisiera hacer una reserva para … personas.<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 I would like to make a reservation for … people.<\/p>\n They will then ask you:<\/p>\n \u00bfBajo el nombre de qui\u00e9n?<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Under whose name?<\/p>\n If you\u2019re like me and you typically fail to plan well in advance, you can slip into a full restaurant by requesting a seat at the bar:<\/p>\n \u00bfPodr\u00eda sentarme en el bar?<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 May I sit at the bar?<\/p>\n Or you can just walk in a restaurant and say:<\/p>\n Mesa para … por favor.<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Table for … please.<\/p>\n Special dietary preferences are often viewed with a suspicious eye in Latin America. You really need to specify with your server what it is that you cannot eat. Clearly state:<\/p>\n Soy vegetariano… vegetariana.<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 I am vegetarian.<\/p>\n Tengo alergia a …<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 I’m allergic to …<\/p>\n No como …<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 I don’t eat…<\/p>\n I can\u2019t tell you how many times I\u2019ve seen Ecuadorian restaurants serve meat-laden soups to disappointed vegetarian friends. So, my advice to you is to always double-check that your order doesn\u2019t contain something you don\u2019t want to eat.<\/p>\n restaurante<\/em> \u2014 restaurant<\/p>\n pedir<\/em> \u2014 to order<\/p>\n quisiera…<\/em> \u2014 I would like…<\/p>\n el men\u00fa<\/em> \u2014 menu of the day<\/p>\n la carta<\/em> \u2014 menu<\/p>\n raci\u00f3n<\/em> \u2014 full portion<\/p>\n Media raci\u00f3n<\/em> \u2014 half portion<\/p>\n camarero, camarera<\/em> \u2014 server<\/p>\n mesero, mesera<\/em> \u2014 server [in Latin America]<\/p>\n mesa<\/em> \u2014 table<\/p>\n plato<\/em> \u2014 plate<\/p>\n tenedor<\/em> \u2014 fork<\/p>\n cuchara<\/em> \u2014 spoon<\/p>\n cuchillo<\/em> \u2014 knife<\/p>\n sal<\/em> \u2014 salt<\/p>\n pimienta<\/em> \u2014 pepper<\/p>\n servilleta<\/em> \u2014 napkin<\/p>\n cuenta<\/em> \u2014 check\/bill<\/p>\n Tr\u00e1igame la cuenta, por favor.<\/em> \u2013 Bring me the check, please.<\/p>\n The paper-signing hand gesture translates smoothly enough. Most small restaurants in Latin American will not accept tarjetas de cr\u00e9dito<\/strong><\/em> (credit cards), so it\u2019s best to carry some efectivo<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/em>(cash) in case of emergency.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n If you need some help remembering restaurant-related words, consider the following resources:<\/p>\n FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n Navigating the Restaurant<\/h2>\n
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