4.3 Dinner at the restaurant

WAITER: Good evening, Madam, how can I help you?

SAMANTHA: Good evening. We have a reservation for 7 p.m. for Jackson.

WAITER: A table for three, isn't it? I'm afraid that the table isn't available yet. If you'd like to wait at the bar, we'll call you over when it's ready.

NARRATOR: 30 minutes later.

SAMANTHA: Excuse me, we've been waiting for our table for 45 minutes. Will it be much longer?

WAITER: I’m sorry about the delay, we're very busy tonight. I'll just go and check.

NARRATOR: 5 minutes later.

WAITER: Your table is ready now. If you would like to come with me, I will show you to your table.

NARRATOR: 5 minutes later, when the customers are seated at their table

NIKOLA: My god, the people at the next table are literally shouting. I can't hear myself think!

SAMANTHA: They are very loud. I'll take care of it. I will speak to the waiter and see if we can move tables. Excuse me, would it be possible to change tables?

WAITER: Is there a problem with the table, madam?

SAMANTHA: Not with our table, but the people at the table next to ours are speaking very loudly.

WAITER: I will ask them to quieten down, so you can enjoy your meal without the shouting.

NARRATOR: 25 minutes later, the waiter is serving them their first course.

NIKOLA: Excuse me, I didn't order the smoked salmon.

WAITER: I have smoked salmon written down here.

NIKOLA: I am afraid you are mistaken. I asked for the prawn salad for my starter.

WAITER: I'm terribly sorry, sir. I'll replace it straight away.

WAITER: Is there anything wrong with your prawn salad, sir?

NIKOLA: No, there isn't. I wasn't expecting the prawn salad to look like this.

WAITER: No problem, sir. What would you like instead?

NIKOLA: Could I have a Caesar salad if it's no trouble?

WAITER: I am afraid we are sold out of the Caesar salad. We don't have any more tonight. May I recommend the tomato and basil soup? It's very good.

NIKOLA: I'll have that, then. Thank you.

WAITER: I'll bring the soups now.

SAMANTHA: Is there a problem with your steak, Nikola?

NIKOLA: Yeah, there is. I ordered a rare steak because I like it when the meat is very red inside, but they have brought me a well-done steak instead. I don't like it when they cook it for a long time, so it is brown on the inside and doesn't have a lot of flavour.

SAMANTHA: You should ask the waiter to send it back to the kitchen so they can give you another steak. I'll call the waiter over.

SALLY: I have a problem with my main course, as well. The roast chicken is good, but they've overcooked the carrots, so they are too soft and have no flavour at all. But the boiled potatoes are almost raw. They are so hard. It's like they haven't cooked the potatoes at all.

SAMANTHA: I'll call the waiter over now. Excuse me!

WAITER: Yes, madam. How can I help you?

SAMANTHA: One of my friends ordered a rare steak and you've brought him a well-done steak. My other friend's carrots are overcooked, and her potatoes are raw. Can you send them back to the kitchen to be replaced, please?

WAITER: My apologies for the steak. I'll replace it straight away. The carrots and the potatoes are supposed to be like that. I'm afraid there is nothing I can do.

SAMANTHA: Well, in that case, I'd like to speak to the manager, please.

WAITER: I'll go and get him for you.

MANAGER: What seems to be the problem?

SAMANTHA: The waiter is refusing to send back my friend's dish. The carrots are overcooked, and the potatoes are almost raw. We're not happy with the service we have received from the waiter. He's made several mistakes with our food tonight and he's been arrogant towards us.

MANAGER: Please accept my apologies. I'll send your friend's dish back to the kitchen and get it replaced. We won't charge you for the roast chicken. Please accept a bottle of red wine on the house as an apology for all the problems you've experienced.

SAMANTHA: A free bottle of wine! Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: 40 minutes later, after receiving the bill from the waiter

SAMANTHA: The bill seems very high.

NIKOLA: Let me have a look. I think they've overcharged us. They have included the roast chicken on the bill, and they are also charging us for a roast duck which we didn't have or order. I'll have a word with the waiter. Excuse me!

WAITER: Yes?

NIKOLA: There seems to be a mistake with the bill. It has a roast duck on it, which we didn't have. And it has my wife's roast chicken on it, which your manager said we wouldn't be charged for.

WAITER: I'm terribly sorry. I'll bring you the correct bill now.

NARRATOR: 5 minutes later, having paid and about to leave

NIKOLA: Let's leave now that we've paid the bill. It's been a disaster.

SAMANTHA: That doesn't seem right. I think they've short-changed me. The meal cost £140. I gave them £200, but I've only got £30 back in change.

NIKOLA: They have short-changed you. You should have got £60 back in change. You should call the waiter over again.

SAMANTHA: I will.