"We've all been there, stumbling over words like "giardiniera," "vichyssoise," or "tteokbokki" when ordering at a restaurant. It's a humbling moment to be sure, and while it may seem like a fleeting mistake, tough-to-pronounce menu items can impact the hopefully pleasant experience when we dine out. These items can lead to anxiety around ordering when we'd rather feel comfortable and fast forward to the part where we're enjoying our food. To help tackle this awkwardness once and for all,"
"When Tasting Table caught up with Michael Cecchi-Azzolina, owner of Cecchi's Bar and Grill in New York City, at the New York City Wine & Food Festival, the restaurateur recommended the approach of honesty. "Just ask," says Cecchi-Azzolina. "Just say, 'Hey, sorry, I don't know how to say this.'" This breaks the ice with your server, who will understand that not everyone has said the name of every dish out loud before and be happy to help."
Hard-to-pronounce menu items often cause anxiety and detract from the dining experience. Honest requests for pronunciation immediately reduce tension and make ordering easier. A simple admission such as saying you do not know how to pronounce a dish breaks the ice and invites assistance. Servers expect pronunciation questions and will willingly guide diners through names and ordering options. Learning pronunciations from servers reduces future embarrassment and helps diners feel more confident. Politeness and starting a brief conversation prevent intimidation and encourage ordering the dishes diners actually want.
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