Communicative skill in a restaurant (for Polly Tang)

Lesson one
Situation 1- arrange a table for your customer.
Polly: Welcome! Do you have a reservation?
Customer: Yes, the name is Mr. Wong from HSBC.
Polly: Yes, Mr. Wong. This way, please. By the way, will there be any latecomers?
Customer: No, thanks.

Situation 2- respond to a request for a bigger table.
Polly: Good afternoon. Welcome! Do you have a reservation?
Customer: Yes, my name is John Wong. I've booked a table for two non-smokers. But now I want a bigger table for four. Is it OK?
Polly: No problem. I'll arrange a bigger table for you. I think you and your friends may be interested in our today's special. It is especially designed for tempura-lovers. I can still remember you're a tempura-lover. Do you want to try? …..This way, please.
Customer: Thanks a lot.
Polly: You're welcome.

Situation3- help a late-comer.
Polly: Welcome! Have you booked a table?
Customer: No, I want to find Mr. Wong from PCCW.
Polly: Ah, I think Mr. Wong is waiting for you. This way, please.
Customer: You're very nice, thanks.
Polly: You're welcome.

Vocabulary
Client/customer/patron/guest, sake, teppanyaki, tempura, famous for, today's special, our chef is very famous, well-done/underdone, medium, medium-rare, rare, thick soup, aperitif, at table, we keep a good table, tender meat, house wine.

Lesson Two

Situation 4- where's the toilet?
Customer: Excuse me, where's the toilet?
Polly: Go straight and turn (bear) right. You'll see the toilet sign just next to the toy shop.
Customer: Thanks.
Polly: You're welcome.
Situation 5- pack the leftovers
Polly: Excuse me, do you want to pack the leftovers?
Customer: Sure.
Polly: Ok, I'll help you pack them.
Customer: That's very kind of you.
Polly: You're welcome.
Situation 6- making recommendation
Customer: Do you have any recommendation?
Polly: Do you like sashimi?
Customer: I'm sensitive to seafood. I'd prefer to have some meat dishes.
Polly: Then how about roast beef? It's one of the elective items in our Executive Lunch.
Customer: That's fine.
Polly: It's worth trying it.
Situation 7- table isn't available at the moment
Polly: Excuse me, sir, do you have a reservation?
Customer: No, I wonder if you could give me a table for two.
Polly: Sorry, sir, we don't have a two-seated table at the moment. But it will be available in a few minutes. Would you mind waiting here for a few minutes?
Customer: That's great.
Situation 8- a temporary arrangement for some impatient customers
Polly: Sorry, sir, you've a reservation for 8 pm. You come a bit earlier.
Customer: I know. But last Sunday you also offered a table to me even though I arrived early.
Polly: Yes, this shows that we always try our best to serve you. But today is different. I'm terribly sorry because we really don't have a big table at the moment. I'm afraid you need to wait for 20 minutes.
Customer: No way. My friends and I are very tired.
Polly: I see. Your needs are our main concern. I won't let you stand here. Ok, I make a temporary arrangement for you. I'll arrange a smaller table for you, so you and your friends can sit there instead of standing here. If your reserved table is available, I'll tell you immediately.
Customer: Thanks.
Polly: You're welcome. It's a pleasure to help you.
Vocabulary
Menu, starter/appetizer, entree, take order, cancel the order, repeat the order,
Bill/check, executive lunch, set lunch,
Recommend, dry, flavour, sashimi,
Well-balanced diet, quality service, bathroom,
John, washroom, 10% discount,
It's worth trying, have a nice weekend, temporary arrangement.