Language Expansion

Making an invitation

• Do you feel like going to a Chinese restaurant with us?
• May we have the pleasure of inviting you to dinner tomorrow?
• Yes, that would be nice.
• Yes, with pleasure.
• Yes, that's a terrific idea.
• I'm awfully sorry, but I'm busy then.
• I hope you won't mind, but I've really got a huge amount to do. Can't we make it another time?
• I'm terribly sorry. I'd really love to, but I cannot this time. Shall we make it another day?

Proposing a toast

• Here's a toast to your good health.
• Here's to a prosperous business relationship.
• Let's drink to our long-standing cooperation.

Settling the hill

• Waiter, please get my bill ready. Thanks.
• May I have the bill, waitress?
• May I have a look at the bill, please?
• Sure. Here you are.
• Let's split the bill.
• You're my guest.
• Let me do the honours.

Reserving or finding a table for dinner

• Have you got a reservation?
• Yes, in / under the name of Paul Ford.
• I'd like to reserve a table for seven for tomorrow evening.
• What time would you like to have your table?
• Waiter, do you have a table for three right now?
• Yes, we do. Please come this way.
• Please follow me.
• Could you come this way, please?
• Do you have a table for two?
• I'm sorry, sir. Our restaurant is jam-packed now. There'll be a wait of about 30 minutes. Would you like to wait?
• Is this table fine with you, madam?
• It's all right. Thank you.
• Waitress, is this table taken?
• Sorry, it's been taken.
• Good evening, could we have a table for two?
• I'm sorry, sir. The restaurant is rather full right now. Would you mind waiting for around 20 minutes?
• Would you mind sharing the table with others?
• I'd prefer sitting alone.
• I'd like to sit in a quiet comer.
• Then would you please go upstairs?
• How many people are there in your party?
• Would you like to sit by the window?

Explaining the menu

• Would you like me to explain the menu to you?
• Do you need any help with the menu?
• Waiter, could you explain what's Three-Delicious-Ingredient Soup?
• It's a soup, made with three kinds of sea food.
• Waitress, what's this Squirrel Mandarin Fish?
• It's mandarin fish specially cooked in the shape of a squirrel.

Recommending food and drink

• Today's special is ...
• We've got a set menu.
• Our ... is very popular with customers.
• We have some very nice desserts.

Taking orders

• What will you have, sir?
• Are you ready to order now?
• Flave you chosen what you'd like?
• What would you like to have?
• What would you like to drink?
• We'd like some vegetables, please.
• May we have some rice, please?
• Would you like something to drink?
• Yes, could you bring us the wine list first?
• Would you bring us two glasses of whisky?

Commenting on dishes

• What do you think of the food?
• It looks good / smells great / tastes delicious.
• Sichuan food is too spicy.
• Cantonese food is insipid to me.

Dinner talks

• Would you like more to drink?
• No, thanks. I'm already a little tipsy.
• Excuse me, sir. May I take your plate away?
• Sure, go ahead.