A Table for Two, Please!
Eating out & polite requests with would like / can / could. Maya and Leo have dinner at Bella Roma — pasta, pizza Margherita, and tiramisu.
📖 Reading: Maya and Leo's Dinner Out
On Friday evening, Maya and Leo go to an Italian restaurant near their building.
The waiter comes to their table. "Good evening! Welcome to Bella Roma. My name is Carlos. Can I get you something to drink first?"
"I'd like a sparkling water, please," says Maya.
"A beer for me, please," says Leo. "Could we also have the menu?"
"Of course! Here you are," says Carlos.
Maya and Leo look at the menu. "I'd like the pasta with tomato sauce," says Maya. "Is it vegetarian?"
"Yes, it is. And it's delicious!" says Carlos.
"I'll have the pizza Margherita, please," says Leo. "And can I have extra cheese?"
"Absolutely!" says Carlos. "Anything else?"
"Could we have some bread, please?" asks Maya.
After dinner: "That was wonderful! Can we have the bill, please?" asks Leo.
"Of course! And would you like dessert?" asks Carlos.
"I'd love a tiramisu!" says Maya with a big smile.
🔑 Vocabulary Box
Eight key words from this lesson.
| Word | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| menu | A list of food and drinks available in a restaurant | n. — Could we have the menu? |
| bill | A piece of paper showing how much you owe at a restaurant | n. — Can we have the bill? |
| sparkling | Containing bubbles; fizzy | adj. — I'd like a sparkling water. |
| vegetarian | Not containing meat or fish | adj. — Is the pasta vegetarian? |
| dessert | A sweet food eaten at the end of a meal | n. — Would you like dessert? |
| recommend | To suggest something as good or suitable | v. — What do you recommend? |
| starter | The first small course of a meal | n. — We'd like a starter to share. |
| delicious | Having a very pleasant taste | adj. — It's delicious! |
📚 Key Verbs in This Lesson | |
I'd like (= I would like) | I'd like a pasta, please. / I'd love a tiramisu! |
Can/Could I have...? | Can I have the menu? / Could we have the bill? |
to order | Are you ready to order? / I'll have the pizza. |
to recommend | What do you recommend? / I recommend the pasta. |
📚 Grammar Focus
📚 Polite Requests in a Restaurant | |
I'd like... | I'd like the pasta, please. (polite order) |
Can I have...? | Can I have a water, please? (common and polite) |
Could I have...? | Could I have some bread? (more formal/polite) |
I'll have... | I'll have the pizza. (deciding and ordering) |
Would you like...? | Would you like dessert? (waiter asking) |
Useful Restaurant Phrases
📚 Useful Restaurant Phrases | |
Arriving | A table for two, please. / Do you have a reservation? |
Ordering | Are you ready to order? / What do you recommend? |
During the meal | Could I have some more water? / Is this vegetarian? |
Paying | Can we have the bill? / Do you accept cards? |
🎭 Dialogue: At the Restaurant
Maya and Leo are seated by Carlos at Bella Roma. They order drinks, bread, and decide on the pasta.
Good evening! Welcome to Bella Roma. A table for two?
Yes, please! Could we sit by the window?
Of course! Here is your menu. Can I get you drinks first?
I'd like a sparkling water, please.
A beer for me. And could we have some bread while we decide?
Absolutely! Are you ready to order or do you need a few minutes?
I'd like the vegetarian pasta, please. Is it spicy?
No, it's very mild and delicious! And for you, sir?
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
What does Maya order to drink?
Is the pasta with tomato sauce vegetarian?
What does Leo ask for extra on his pizza?
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
Choose the most polite option: "___ a glass of water."
Choose the most polite option: "___ the menu, please?"
Choose the most polite option: "___ some extra bread?"
🎭 Now It's Your Turn — Role Play
Practice with a partner. Use the dialogue as a model.
- Use the menu you built in the Personal Practice block above (or create a new one together).
- Student A: You are the waiter. Welcome guests, take orders, recommend dishes, bring the bill.
- Student B: You are the customer. Ask about dishes, make requests, pay and leave a tip.
- Then swap roles with a new menu.