The Roanoker - November/December 2019 - 85

How to Dine Well
written by LAYLA KHOURY-HANOLD

Restaurant pros share
their top tips for
dining like a VIP.

S

OME ABIDE BY the adage, "Living well
is the best revenge." In our restaurantobsessed culture, it could be argued that
"dining well" should be creed for living your
best life. Going out to eat can be one of life's great
pleasures. But sometimes it seems as if there's an
unwritten playbook.
Like, have you ever gotten hung up on what to tip?
Do you still feel a sense of foreboding when you're
handed a wine list? And how did that table score free
dessert? Here are local hospitality pros' top tips for
dining like a VIP.

Make a better reservation.
Online reservations are quick, but take a moment
to overshare. Include any food allergies or dietary
restrictions and whether it's a special occasion (you
just might receive complimentary dessert!).

TheRoanoker.com

If you can't get a reservation online, it's worth calling
the restaurant. Staff are privy to last-minute cancellations
and can share the best time to snag a walk-in table.

You don't ask, you don't get.
Don't like your table? Try asking for a different one.
Chef Aaron Deal, the chef-owner of River & Rail,
divulges that you might get an upgrade (though many
restaurants often have their layout well-established).
And it pays to ask about off-menu items. Hunter Johnson,
co-owner of Lucky and Fortunato, reveals that Lucky's most
popular cocktail has never been listed on the menu.

Forget the myth of
"specials equal old food."
Chefs often try a new dish out on special before
adding it to the menu; other times, it's a way to feature
seasonal or unusual ingredients.
"We check with local suppliers several times each
week and often find seafood and vegetables that may
not be around long enough to go on the menu but make
a fantastic special offering," says Olivia Byrd, owner of
Rockfish Food & Wine.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

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The Roanoker - November/December 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker - November/December 2019

The Roanoker - November/December 2019 - Intro
The Roanoker - November/December 2019 - Cover1
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The Roanoker - November/December 2019 - Cover3
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