Unit 18 :
Reserving a Table

 Intermediate

Summary

Know useful words and expressions about table reservations.

What (besides good food) makes a restaurant great?

Vocabulary

Read the following words or phrases with your tutor and use it in a sentence.

  • guarantee (v)
  • lively (adj)
  • make (v)
  • reach (v)
  • reservation (n)
  • kitchen (n)
  • section (n)

Dialogue 1

Read the dialogue aloud with your teacher.

Hostess

Randy

Thank you for calling Sakia Restaurant. How may I help you?

I’d like to make a reservation.

For which day and for what time?

It’s for Friday, the 24th, at 7 o’clock.

How many will be in the party?

There will be seven of us.

And the name on the reservation?

Johnson.

And a phone number where we can reach you?

310-555-9023.

Okay. Let me repeat back to you the information I have. This is a reservation for the Friday after next for seven at 7 p.m. Is that correct?

Yes, that’s right. Can we have a table by the window in a non-smoking section? I want to be away from the kitchen, if possible.

Our restaurant is all non-smoking. We can’t guarantee a window table, but I’ll note your preference.

Okay, that’s fine. What’s the parking situation at the restaurant?

We have a parking lot behind the restaurant, and we also have valet parking. Do any of the guests have special needs?

I’m glad you asked. I’ll need two high chairs and four booster seats.

 I’m sorry, but did you say two high chairs and four booster seats?

Yes, I did. I’m taking all of my nieces and nephews out to dinner.

That sounds nice. It should be a lively evening.

You’re telling me!

Let’s Practice

Complete the following  information.

NAME:  RANDY_____________

CONTACT NUMBER: __________________

TIME OF RESERVATION: __________________

DAY OF RESERVATION: _________________

NUMBER OF PEOPLE ATTENDING: __________________

Dialogue 2

Read the dialogue aloud with your teacher.

Staff

Jamie

Hello, Gino’s

Hi. Can I book a table for tomorrow night, please?

How many people is it for?

Four.

And what time would you like?

About eight, eight thirty maybe?

Let’s see … We’re pretty busy tomorrow, so I can do half past seven or nine.

Oh. OK, then. Half seven, please.

What name is it?

Jamie.

J-A- …?

M-I-E

OK, so that’s a table for four at half past seven tomorrow evening.

Great. Thanks! Bye.

Let’s Practice

Answer the following questions.

  1. When is the table booked for?

     a.Tonight

     b. Tomorrow morning

     c.Tomorrow night

  1. When the woman says ‘about eight, eight thirty’, what does she mean?

      a.At eight o’clock

      b. At half past eight

      c. Between eight o’clock and half past eight

  1. How do you spell the person’s name?

      a. Jamie

      b. Jamei

     c. Jaime

Discussion:

Share your ideas with your teacher.

  1. Do you think you spend too much money at the restaurant?
  2. What is the most famous restaurant in the world?
  3. Is it easy to get rich by owning a restaurant? why?/ why not?