What the song is about
The singer and a friend spend an evening at a nice restaurant. They ask for the menu, order a starter, drinks, a main course and dessert, and at the end they ask for the bill. The song follows a real restaurant visit step by step, so it works as a model conversation.
Useful words and expressions
- May I see the menu? – a polite way to ask for the menu.
- appetizer – a small dish before the main meal (British English: starter).
- beverages – drinks (a formal word you often see on menus).
- main course – the biggest dish of the meal.
- dessert – the sweet dish at the end. A dessert cart is a trolley with desserts that the waiter brings to your table.
- medium rare – a steak that is cooked outside but still pink inside.
- sparkling water – water with bubbles.
- I will have the steak – a common way to order. You can also say I'll have… or I'd like…
- either one is fine – both choices are OK for me.
- the bill – the paper that shows how much you pay (American English: the check).
- Keep the change – you tell the waiter to keep the extra money as a tip.
Idioms
- to eat like a horse – to eat a lot.
- it hits the spot – the food is exactly what you wanted.
- my eyes are bigger than my stomach – I took or ordered more food than I can eat.
Grammar
- May I…? for polite requests: May I see the menu?
- will for decisions made at the moment of ordering: I will have the steak. In speech this is usually shortened to I'll have…
- let's + verb for suggestions: Let's have a glass of wine.
- want to + verb: We want to start with a little appetizer. I want to try it all.
- could not be any nicer means "it is the nicest possible."
- Present continuous for something happening now: The dessert cart is coming.
Watch out: words chosen for the rhyme
- venue is used mainly to rhyme with menu. People don't normally call a restaurant a "lovely venue" when they order. Just say restaurant.
- for goodness' sake rhymes with steak, but it sounds annoyed or impatient. Don't use it when you order. Just say Medium rare, please.
- answering the call and from the start in the bridge are mostly there to fill the rhyme and don't add much meaning.
- Tell us what he thinks is a little unusual. To ask what the waiter recommends, say What do you recommend? or What's the chef's special?
- I will have the bill, please is not how people usually ask. Say Could we have the bill, please? or Can I get the check, please?
