Fine Dining Etiquette

Holding a wine glass by the stem prevents the heat from your hand from warming the wine and altering its taste.

Unfolding your napkin and placing it on your lap is a sign of respect for the host and the other guests.

Soup should always be eaten with a spoon. Never use a fork or a knife to eat soup.

Cutting your food one bite at a time is considered to be more polite and refined.

If you need to use the restroom during a meal, you should excuse yourself and go to the restroom. Do not signal to the waiter or waitress or wait until the end of the meal.

The proper way to address the waiter or waitress is by their name. If you don't know their name, you can call them 'sir' or 'ma'am'.

If you are served a dish that you don't like, you should send it back to the kitchen. Do not complain to the waiter or waitress or leave it on the table.

The proper way to tip the waiter or waitress is 15-20% of the total bill.

If you are dining with someone who has a food allergy, you should ask them about their allergy and avoid ordering dishes that contain the allergen. Do not ignore their allergy or tell them that they should just eat around the allergen.

The proper way to say 'thank you' to the waiter or waitress is to say 'thank you' when they bring your food, when they clear your plates, and when you leave the restaurant.

The proper way to eat bread at a fine dining restaurant is to break off a piece of bread with your hands and eat it. Do not cut the bread with a knife and fork or use your fingers to spread butter on the bread.

The proper way to drink wine at a fine dining restaurant is to hold the wine glass by the stem, swirl the wine in the glass before drinking it, and sip the wine slowly and savor the flavor.

The proper way to use chopsticks at a fine dining restaurant is to hold the chopsticks with your thumb and index finger, use the chopsticks to pick up food and eat it, and do not use the chopsticks to stir your food.

The proper way to leave a tip at a fine dining restaurant is to leave the tip in cash on the table, add the tip to your credit card bill, or give the tip to the waiter or waitress directly.