ESLPodcast 12 - Dining at a Restaurant I (Fast)

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Thursday - August 04, 2005

Well, I love going out to restaurants to eat. One of the best experiences I've had recently was at a place here in Los Angeles called Il Fornaio. It's an Italian restaurant in a very nice part of Beverly Hills. I don't go there very often--I can't really afford it, but every once in a while I'll treat myself.

我喜欢到外面的餐馆去吃饭。最近最好的一次经历是在洛杉矶的一家叫Il Fornaio的餐馆。它是一家意大利餐馆，在比佛利山庄的一个比较美好的地方。我不是经常去那里，因为在那确实是花销不起，但是每过一些时候，我就会去那犒劳自己一下。

The last time I went, I walked in with a friend and I was greeted by the hostess. She asked how many people were in my party, and I said, "Just two." "Right this way! I'll show you to your table" she said. She was very polite. When we reached our table by the window, she asked us, "Is this all right?" We said, "Of course!," and then she handed us the menus, along with the wine list. The place setting with the silverware was very complete. There were two forks (one for the salad course, one for the main course), a spoon, a knife, a dinner plate, a dessert spoon on top, a wine glass and a water glass, a cup and saucer for coffee, and a bread basket. I was already getting hungry!

"Your waiter will be with you shortly," the hostess said. So we looked over the menus—so many choices, especially for a lover of Italian food like me.

The waiter came up to the table a few minutes later and said, "Good evening. My name is Giorgio, and I'll be your waiter this evening. Is there anything I can get you started with -a cocktail, a glass of wine?" Well, my friend and I are not exactly big drinkers, so we just ordered a couple of iced teas. "Would you like a few minutes to look at the menu?" he said. We nodded our heads, and he went off to get our drinks.

As I was looking at the appetizers, I spotted one of my favorite dishes-crab cakes! I told my friend that the crab cakes were a must. Just then the waiter returned to our table, with our drinks on a large tray. I was ready to order.

Script by Dr. Jeff McQuillan