Professional Diners Share Their Rules For Going Out To Eat

Bon AppetitAug 20, 2014, 22:01 IST

We at Bon Appétit eat at a lot of restaurants. A lot. And none of us more so than resident restaurant-goer Andrew Knowlton (the guy ate three dinners a night in his search for our Hot 10). But if an escape-from-reality evening out is what keeps us going, there are few things worse than spending the money, time, and OpenTable refreshes for a great restaurant meal-and then having it all just flop.

You ordered wrong. The wait made everyone cranky. There wasn't enough wine. It's happened to the best of us, but somewhere around the millionth muttering of "Ugh, I coulda made these green beans better at home," we realized a few things about what makes a successful night out. Here, some tips and tricks we've picked up from eating out like it's our job-because, well, it is.

1. When to go: Early…

…and in a Small Group

1a. Eating Alone Is Cool

1b. Make Tuesdays Special

1c. Waiting Is Better With Drinks

2. Where To Sit: Wherever You Want…

2a. …Although Really, We Recommend the Bar

3. What (Not) To Order: Be Adventurous

3a. Identify the Restaurant's Strengths, and Play to Them

3b. Entrées Not Required

3c. Mix It Up-Within Reason

3d. Share Strategically

3e. Pro Tip from a Hot 10 Chef

4. Kids Can Come, Too

4a. Well, Sometimes

5. Be Nice

6. Rules Are for Sticklers

Lest we forget that going out to dinner is supposed to be fun, chef Chris Gould of Hot 10 restaurant Central Provisions, reminds us to take all of the above and throw them out the window. "Go to have fun and be open-minded!"

Oh right. That is what this is all about.