Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares How to order in a restaurant

Date Published:

13/11/2007

Don't be intimidated by the fancy menu or posh wines. Read our guide to ordering and get the most out of your next restaurant experience. By Charlie Cottrell

Off menu

Ordering off menu in most restaurants is unpopular with the chef. "If it's a genuine dietary requirement of course we'll accommodate an off menu order" said one London chef, "but for the most part it's people trying to show off and trying to look like a smart arse. If you don't want the calories or you're going to turn your nose up at my menu you can fuck off somewhere else."

But ordering off menu in an ethnic restaurant can open up a whole new food experience for western diners. In Indian restaurants asking for food to be cooked desi style makes for a more authentic Indian dish, less greasy and oil saturated than the type of curry dish most Brits are used to.

The same is true in Chinese restaurants. The Anglo-Chinese menu, with its crispy duck pancakes and fattening prawn toast is a world away from the delicate aromatics of Cantonese cuisine.

Unless you look like you're from the restaurant's country of origin, waiting staff will generally offer you the Anglicised menu. Be persistent though. Ask the waiter what they would eat at home and ask to try that. Make it clear that it's authentic food you're after. If you're keen to experiment but not sure what it is you're being offered, ask them to explain the dishes.

Ask the experts

The resounding advice that comes back from waiters, chefs and maitres d' is, if in doubt, ask. "You should remember that the people working in a restaurant are there to work," Stuart Matthews points out, "if you're uncertain about any aspect of the menu or you're unhappy in any way let them know. There's nothing to feel shy about because it makes life easier for everyone involved. A happy customer is a pleasure to serve and seeing your customers go away having had a nice time at your restaurant is what makes working an 18 hour shift worth while."