19 Recommendations to Guests

Usually this is up to guests to decide what restaurant is a decent one.

However, I would like to give some advice to guests, because restaurateurs have their own preferences.

Here are my 19 recommendations to guests.

1. When choosing a restaurant, think about the company first, and then about food and interior you are more into at the moment.
2. Walk around tourist restaurants and cafés and choose the places with the customers of your age and social standing.
3. Make a reservation and ask about key dishes of the restaurant in advance by phone.
4. During the phone call also let the restaurant know, if you or your companions have any product intolerance or allergy.
5. Ask in advance, if it is possible to pay by card.
6. If you are not familiar with the menu or do not understand its language, ask a waiter, if they have fresh fish. This is how you can get great meals without running the risk of choosing unfamiliar dishes.
7. I would not recommend ordering something artsy-craftsy, if you are not ready to get a plate full of trinkets.
8. Ask to show products before cooking. This will give you a chance to have a fresh fish or decent steak not only in the menu, but also in your plate.
9. In case the menu offers delicacies, check with a waiter, if it is really so or substitutes are meant. Clarify the weight of delicacies alone, if the menu contains information only about general weight of the dish.
10. It is advisable to visit popular restaurants with tasty meals at lunchtime on a working day. You will get more attention then.
11. Respect to restaurant's personnel and rules is always welcome. It's bad manners to snap your fingers to call a waiter. It’s better to come up to your waiter to ask a question.
12. If you prefer water with lemon, inform about this at once. Waiters don't like guests, who do not know their own mind. Waiters can't guess what you want.
13. If you can't spare 10-15% of tips, then it is better to have lunch at home.
14. Always check your bill. This is especially relevant for those who like to party in a big company. Sometimes waiters can make a mistake. Don't pay if the bill is unclear and there are discrepancies with what you have actually ordered.
15. Don't pay the bill if part of dishes and beverages are added in handwriting.
16. It's no good telling personnel you are acquainted with the owner of the restaurant in hope of special attitude. If the owner or manager decides to treat you with a dessert or a discount, they will do it without your help.
17. Don't phone the owner if an issue arises. Recollect yourself first, perhaps there was no problem at all. Settle everything on the spot. If it's absolutely necessary, message the owner or the manager you know about the problem, specifying the facts.  At the same time, inform what kind of compensation you prefer.
18. There is no sense in posting about the problem in social media: you'll get the reputation of grumbler, while the question will remain unsolved.
19. Remember the name of the restaurant you liked to share with your friends.