# Dinner at La Riviera ## Conversation ### Dialog **Waiter:** Good evening! Welcome to La Riviera. Do you have a `reservation`? **Mark:** No, I’m here on a business trip, just looking for a quick dinner. **Waiter:** No problem. Table for one? **Mark:** Yes, please. `Somewhere quiet`, if possible. **Waiter:** Of course. `Right this way`. *(They walk to the table)* **Waiter:** Here’s the menu. Can I `start you off with` something to drink? Maybe `sparkling wine`? **Mark:** Just still `sparkling water` for now, thank you. **Waiter:** Any `food allergies` or preferences I should know about? **Mark:** No allergies. I’d like `something light`. Maybe fish? **Waiter:** The grilled salmon is very popular, served with steamed vegetables. **Mark:** `That sounds perfect`. `I’ll have that.` **Waiter:** Great choice. `I’ll be right back with` your sparkling water. **Mark:** Thanks. I have a meeting in an hour, so something quick would be great. **Waiter:** Understood. I’ll make sure the kitchen `takes care of it` right away. --- ### Vocabulary | `I’ll be right back with` | `I’ll have that`. | `That sounds perfect` | | --- | --- | --- | | `food allergies` | `Right this way` | `Somewhere quiet` | | `reservation` | `start off with` | `sparkling water` | | `something light` | `takes care of it` | `sparkling wine` | | | | | 1. **I’ll be right back with** ➤ *Meaning:* I will return shortly bringing something. ➤ *Example:* “I’ll be right back with your drink.” 2. **I’ll have that** ➤ *Meaning:* I choose that item (often from a menu). ➤ *Example:* “The pasta sounds good. I’ll have that.” 3. **That sounds perfect** ➤ *Meaning:* That option is ideal or just what I wanted. ➤ *Example:* “Grilled salmon with vegetables? That sounds perfect.” 4. **Food allergies** ➤ *Meaning:* Reactions caused by eating certain foods (like peanuts or shellfish). ➤ *Example:* “Do you have any food allergies we should be aware of?” 5. **Right this way** ➤ *Meaning:* Follow me in this direction (often used by hosts/waiters). ➤ *Example:* “Your table is ready. Right this way, please.” 6. **Somewhere quiet** ➤ *Meaning:* A place with little noise. ➤ *Example:* “Could I sit somewhere quiet? I have a meeting later.” 7. **Reservation** ➤ *Meaning:* An arrangement to have a table saved at a restaurant. ➤ *Example:* “Do you have a reservation for tonight?” 8. **Start off with** ➤ *Meaning:* Begin with something (commonly used for food/drinks). ➤ *Example:* “Can I start you off with some drinks?” 9. **Sparkling water** ➤ *Meaning:* Water with bubbles (carbonated). ➤ *Example:* “Would you like still or sparkling water?” 10. **Something light** ➤ *Meaning:* A meal that is not heavy or filling. ➤ *Example:* “I’m not very hungry. Just something light.” 11. **Takes care of it** ➤ *Meaning:* Handles it or solves it. ➤ *Example:* “Don’t worry, the kitchen takes care of it quickly.” 12. **Sparkling wine** ➤ *Meaning:* Wine with bubbles, like champagne. ➤ *Example:* “Would you like some sparkling wine to start?” --- ## Exercises ### Vocabulary **Quiz vocabulary** **1\. What does “I’ll have that” mean?** A) I’ll return soon B) I don’t want that C) I choose that item D) I cooked that myself --- **2\. What is “sparkling water”?** A) Water with sugar B) Water with bubbles C) Frozen water D) Water with lemon only --- **3\. If a waiter says “Right this way,” what should you do?** A) Wait at the door B) Go to the bathroom C) Follow them D) Sit down immediately --- **4\. What does “That sounds perfect” express?** A) Uncertainty B) Confusion C) Enthusiasm or satisfaction D) Disagreement --- **5\. What are “food allergies”?** A) Foods that people dislike B) Reactions to certain foods C) Foods eaten after midnight D) Expensive foods --- **6\. What is a “reservation” at a restaurant?** A) A complaint about service B) A type of food C) A saved table for a guest D) A list of available dishes --- **7\. What does “Somewhere quiet” mean in a restaurant?** A) Near the music B) Near the kitchen C) A peaceful place with little noise D) Outside in the street --- **8\. If the waiter says, “Can I start you off with something to drink?”, what are they doing?** A) Ending the meal B) Taking the main order C) Offering a beginning drink D) Asking you to leave --- **9\. What does “something light” refer to in a meal?** A) A dessert B) A cold dish C) A small or easy-to-digest meal D) A drink --- **10\. “Takes care of it” means:** A) Ignores the problem B) Solves or handles something C) Complains to the chef D) Waits until later --- **11\. What is “sparkling wine”?** A) Wine with added sugar B) Wine with gas/bubbles C) Wine with fruit D) Wine served with ice --- **12\. If a waiter says, “I’ll be right back with your water,” they mean:** A) They are leaving the restaurant B) You need to wait until tomorrow C) They will return soon with water D) You need to go get it --- ### Fill-in-the blanks **Word Bank** *(Use each phrase once)* * I’ll have that * I’ll be right back with * That sounds perfect * Food allergies * Right this way * Somewhere quiet * Reservation * Start off with * Sparkling water * Something light * Takes care of it * Sparkling wine --- **Complete the sentences with the correct phrase from the box:** 1. Waiter: Good evening! Do you have a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_? 2. Guest: Could I sit \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_? I need to focus before my meeting. 3. Waiter: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, sir. Follow me. 4. Guest: I’m not too hungry. Just \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ would be great. 5. Waiter: Would you like to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ a drink? 6. Guest: Just some \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, please. No alcohol for now. 7. Waiter: Any \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ I should be aware of? 8. Guest: I’ll go with the grilled salmon. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. 9. Guest: That fish dish looks great. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. 10. Waiter: Excellent choice! \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ your drink. 11. Guest: I’m in a bit of a hurry. Waiter: Don’t worry—the kitchen \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ it quickly. 12. Waiter: Would you prefer a glass of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ to start the evening? --- ### Reading Comprehension Read the conversation “**Dinner at La Riviera**” and answer the questions: **1\. Why is Mark eating alone at the restaurant?** A) He was stood up by a friend B) He lives nearby C) He is on a business trip D) He is celebrating a promotion --- **2\. What kind of seating does Mark request?** A) Near the window B) Near the entrance C) Somewhere bright D) Somewhere quiet --- **3\. What drink does the waiter first offer Mark?** A) Orange juice B) Sparkling wine C) Coffee D) Tap water --- **4\. What dish does Mark order?** A) Pasta with meatballs B) Chicken salad C) Grilled salmon with vegetables D) Steak and fries --- **5\. What does the waiter promise to do?** A) Bring dessert for free B) Call a taxi for Mark C) Make sure the kitchen prepares the food quickly D) Give him a table near the window