Fine dining is usually defined by multiple course meals, wine that goes for every dish, luxurious décor and fancy clothing. We know that all the rules to follow may seem daunting, but fine dining doesn’t have to be stressful – if anything, you should be as comfortable as possible, to make sure you get the experience of your lifetime.
If you’re not sure what to expect when it comes to fine dining, we’ve prepared a list of tips for you to remember and apply to your next fancy dinner:
Book in advance
Perhaps an obvious one, but if you are planning a fancy dinner at one of the more expensive restaurants in your area, don’t forget to book a table in advance. Most people do so, and chances are if you just show up, there will be no seats available to you. Don’t ruin your special anniversary or business meeting by not planning things out beforehand, so just look up the restaurant online and contact them through their displayed method of communication (most of the time by phone, but sometimes by online reservation as well).
Make sure to double check your booking date and time, and also double check the location just in case they have multiple ones in different areas. This is also the time to mention any dietary restrictions, so the chefs can be better prepared for your booking.
Put on formal (but comfortable) clothes
It goes without saying, but if you are dining in a formal setting, formal clothes are the way to go. This doesn’t have to mean wearing your most expensive suit, paired up with a top hat or cane, to be considered formal clothing – simply wearing an elegant blazer and a shirt, or a pair of clean shoes, goes a long way. You want to be formal, but not go overboard with it or feel uncomfortable, so go for the clothes you know you feel great in, and you’ll be in a better mood all night.
When in doubt, ask the server
Nobody expects you to know all the intricacies of fine dining, so if you are even uncertain of anything, your servers are there to help you out. For example, if you are not sure what to drink, rather than trying things out blindly consider asking your server what the best wine pairings are for the food you’re planning to get.
If you are eating a dish based on red meat, you’ll be recommended one of their best red wines, or if you are eating seafood or a creamy risotto, a glass of Ciello Bianco Terre would be your best friend.
Your servers will do their best to accommodate you in the moment, but any important things about your dietary restrictions should be disclosed way before the dinner to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Never clink your drinks
Sure, everyone clinks their glass on special occasions – this has become such a popular habit that it may come as a surprise to hear you’re not actually supposed to do that in a formal dining setting.
Truth is, champagne glasses or wine glasses are usually quite fragile, and clinking them together may damage them. Not only that, but usually it’s best to avoid making loud noises when fine dining to not disturb other guests.
Follow the standard cutlery etiquette
You don’t need to know what every single piece of cutlery does if you’re not going to use them, but there are a few rules of thumb that everyone should know. Usually, you start with the cutlery farthest from the plate working your way towards it as the night goes on. When you are done eating, don’t forget to place your knife and fork facing the same direction (usually at five o’clock) to signify that the server can come clean up the table.