E222 Making a restaurant reservation

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TYPICAL DIALOGS FOR DIFFERENT SCENARIOS:

Restaurant: The Colbert Restaurant. Good evening.

Patron:

  1. Hello. I would like to make a reservation.
  2. Good evening. I would like to book a table.

Restaurant:  Certainly Madam. For when and how many?

Patron: For 10 people, on Friday, around 6 PM.

Restaurant:

  1. Friday 6PM… No problem Madam. Would you have any preference for the table, by the window, or inside? 
  2. Friday 6PM… I’m sorry, we are fully booked at that time. Would 7 PM be suitable for you?

Patron: 

  1. An window table, please.
  2. An inside table, please. There’s not much to see at that time of the day, and it’s always a bit chilly by the window.
  3. 7 PM is fine.
  4. Too bad, we can’t make it at 7 PM. I’ll try again in the future.

Restaurant: 

  1. It’s done, Madam. By the way, are you celebrating any special event?
  2. We’re so sorry we could not accommodate you at this time. Would you like to leave your name and phone number, in case we have a cancellation? 

Patron: 

  1. Certainly, my name is Leslie Smith, and my phone number is 123 456 7890
  2. Thank you very much, but I need to find a firm reservation now because I have to coordinate with many people.

Patron:

  1. Indeed yes, it’s my daughter’s birthday.
  2. Indeed, yes, it’s our wedding anniversary.
  3. No, we’re a bunch of people wanting to get together.

Restaurant: 

  1. In that case, we offer a complimentary birthday cake. And, if you like, our staff can come to the table and wish your daughter a Happy Birthday.

Patron:

  1. That would be entertaining. We’ll go for the birthday cake.

Restaurant:

  1. Is there anyone at the party who has a special dietary requirement?

Patron:

  1. Well my daughter is allergic to nuts.

Restaurant:

  1. No problem, Sir. We’ll prepare a nut- free cake her.

Patron: Splendid! You think of everything!

Restaurant:

  1. We pride ourselves in our clients’ well-being and satisfaction, Madam. May I have your name and phone number, for the reservation, please.

Patron: 

  1. Leslie Smith. 123 456 7890.

Restaurant:

  1. You’re all set then, Ms Smith. Looking forward to seeing you and your party on Friday.

RELATED VIDEOS 

I’d like to make a reservation – A family lunch

Happy Birthday wish by restaurant’s staff

IDIOMS, EXPRESSIONS, ALTERNATE MEANINGS

To book:

  1. To reserve.
  2. If a police officer, referee, etc. books someone, they write down the person’s name in an official record because they have done something wrong

I can’t make it:

I won’t be able to do it.

Bunch:

  1. A bunch of flowers (several flowers tied together).
  2. A bunch of guys: A group of people.

Complimentary:

If a shop or a restaurant offers you a “complimentary something”, it’s free. 

SPEAKING PRACTICE

Practice making a restaurant under different scenarios.