Listening Exercises B1 – Eating out

Before the meal: a, c, d, f

During the meal: b, e, g, h

a 2   b 4   c 5   d 8   e 7   f 1   g 3   h 6

Transcript

(Waiter = Canadian)

a   Can I take you coat?

b   Is everything OK with your meal?

c   Are you ready to order?

d   Would you like anything to drink first?

e   Here’s your main course … the steak.

f   Have you made a reservation?

g   Would you like some more wine?

h   Can I get you any dessert?

(Customer = Japanese; Waiter = Canadian)

1

Customer:     Hello. I booked a table for seven o’clock. The name’s Katai.

Waiter:     Ah, yes. Follow me, please.

2

Waiter:     Are you ready to order?

Customer:     Yes, for starter I’d like the soup, please.

Waiter:     And for your main course?

Customer:     I’ll have the salmon, thank you.

Waiter:     Very good. And would you like anything to drink?

Customer:     Just some mineral water, please.

3

Waiter:     Would you like dessert?

Customer:     No, thanks. I’m full. Can I have the bill, please?

Ravioli Filberto, Pollo Toscano, Bistecca al Norte, Tiramisù

a   Tiramisù

b   Ravioli Filberto

c   Bruschetta

d   Pollo Toscano

e   Bistecca al Norte

Transcript

(Waitress = Italian)

Ah, yes, this is a lovely starter. It’s toasted bread with tomatoes, garlic on top, some basil, olive oil, little cheese. Very tasty. So, one bruschetta? This is our house special. Fresh pasta with cheese inside, a tomato and cream sauce. Quite sweet, but if you like ravioli, you’ll love it. Which? This? The second one? This is fried chicken with sautéed potatoes, tomatoes, mushroom and roast red peppers. I’m from Toscana, so I like this one! A little salty, but very good.

Yes, this is grilled beef. Very tender, with a special gravy made from Barolo wine and mushrooms … Bistecca is always very popular with the English.

This is a kind of sponge cake. Very light, with lots of cream, and chocolate on top, but it has coffee, a little wine and sugar inside, so it gives you energy. I think ‘Tiramisù’ means ‘Pick me up’ in English.

The Big Bistro: Service – Good, Food quality – Poor, Value for money 6/10

Sala Thai: Atmosphere – Good, Service – Good, Food quality – Good, Value for money 9/10

The Big Bistro

Atmosphere: quite sophisticated

Staff: professional

Service: very attentive

Food: disappointing (tuna salad unimaginative, steak rather tough, potatoes under-cooked)

Total cost: £25

Sala Thai

Atmosphere: relaxed and inviting

Staff: very friendly

Service: excellent

Food: absolutely delicious (soup very enjoyable, fish very tasty)

Total cost: £20

Transcript

Well, I went to two very different restaurants this week. The first was The Big Bistro, on King’s Street. As its name suggests, it was big, although the atmosphere was quite sophisticated. The staff were professional and the service was very attentive. The food, though, was disappointing. My tuna salad starter was unimaginative and the steak I had for the main course was rather tough. The potatoes were undercooked, too. The meal cost £17, but with £5 for a glass of wine and £3 tip on top, I’d say it was not good value for money, so just six out of ten … The second restaurant was Sala Thai on Gilbert Road. An independent restaurant rather than a big chain, the atmosphere here was relaxed and inviting, and the staff were all very friendly. The service was excellent. I had a hot and spicy soup to start with, which was very enjoyable, and for the main course a very tasty fish dish. Absolutely delicious. It was cheap, too – just £20 including drinks and service, so I’d say Sala Thai is definitely worth a visit. Nice out of ten.