Restaurants and their services

Section 1: language focus

1. Structures

Describing eating and drinking establishments

The Cafe Grande is like a coffee shop, but it serves . . . / doesn’t serve . . .

it has . . . / doesn’t have . . .

the customer can . . . / can’t . . .

Saying time

PRACTICE

1. You will hear staff members from four of the above establishments. They are answering telephone enquiries about opening times. Listen, and put ticks (√) to show the days when they are open, and crosses () to show when they are closed. Then listen again and note the opening hours.

2. Work with a partner. Take turns to be A (a waiter/waitress in an eating or drinking establishment) or B (a customer). Student A should think of the opening days and times of four formal or four informal establishments. (They can be places you know, or you can invent them.) Student B should telephone Student A for the information.

3. Work with one or two other students. Imagine that you are going to open a new restaurant. Use the following hints to discuss with your friends.

- the kind of restaurant

- its opening times

- the kinds of menu and the prices

- its location

- its services and amenities (enjoyable features, for example a band, a beautiful view, etc.)

Then write a small advertisement for it, and post it in class.

2. Vocabulary

Eating and drinking establishments

1. Members of staff are on the telephone, explaining the services at the five establishments:

1. bar
2. coffee shop
3. informal restaurant serving national and regional dishes
4. luxury restaurant
5. nightclub

Decide which sentence to apply to which establishment. Write the letters before the sentences. (Some sentences may apply to more than one establishment.)

d

1. Dinner is a la carte, Sir.
2. We serve typical local dishes.
3. You can dance to our band.
4. You can have a snack with you drinks.
5. We have an excellent floorshow.
6. We have two sorts of dinner menu: a la carte and a three-course, fixed price menu.
7. You can have a quick snack here any time.
8. We make all the pasta ourselves.
9. You can gamble if you like.
10. We are noted for our haute cuisine, Madam.
11. We serve sandwiches, salads, cakes and beverages.

Section 2: reading

Pre-reading

Discuss the answers to the questions below with your friends.

1. What elements are included in the service industry?
2. Name five specific jobs restaurant staff members do.
3. What do restaurant staff members do with these jobs?

Reading

The service profession

Spheres of activity

The service profession comprises two important spheres of activity:

• Preparatory work
• Guest service

If you want to be successful in service, none of these areas can be neglected.