Lesson 22 – Asking Detailed Questions About the Menu
🎯 Lesson goal
You will practise asking detailed questions about food and drinks on the menu. You will learn to describe preferences and ask for explanations politely.
💬 Travel dialogue
🧳 Excuse me, could you tell me more about the grilled chicken dish?
🍽️ Certainly! It is grilled chicken served with a side of vegetables and a light sauce.
🧳 Is the sauce spicy or mild?
🍽️ The sauce is mild, but it has a little garlic flavor.
🧳 I don’t eat garlic. Can I have the dish without the sauce?
🍽️ Of course, we can serve the chicken without the sauce for you.
🧳 Thank you. Also, are the vegetables fresh or frozen?
🍽️ They are fresh, picked daily from local farms.
🧳 That sounds great. One more thing, do you have any vegetarian options that are high in protein?
🍽️ Yes, we have a quinoa salad with beans and nuts that is very healthy and filling.
🧳 Can you tell me if the salad contains any dairy products? I am lactose intolerant.
🍽️ No, it does not have any dairy. It is safe for people with lactose intolerance.
🧳 Great! I will order the grilled chicken without sauce and the quinoa salad.
🍽️ Excellent choice. I will bring your order soon.
🧠 Explanation
You are at a restaurant asking detailed questions about the menu. This lesson helps you practise explaining your preferences and asking polite questions about food. It is useful for choosing meals that fit your needs and tastes.
🧳 Survival English
🧳 Could you explain what ingredients are in this dish? (Ask for details about food)
🧳 Can I have this without the sauce? (Make polite requests)
🧳 Is this dish suitable for vegetarians? (Check dietary needs)
💡 Common English mistake
❌ Is this dish not contain garlic?
✅ Does this dish contain garlic?
🔊 Pronunciation
The word ‘vegetables’ does not contain a ‘th’ sound. Practise the phrase ‘with vegetables’ slowly, keeping the two words separate and clear.
🌍 Travel tip
When asking about the menu, always be polite and specific. This helps the waiter understand your needs and improves your dining experience.
🎧 Listen and repeat
🎧 Excuse me, could you tell me more about the grilled chicken dish?
🎧 Is the sauce spicy or mild?
🎧 I don’t eat garlic. Can I have the dish without the sauce?
🎧 Thank you. Also, are the vegetables fresh or frozen?
🎧 That sounds great. One more thing, do you have any vegetarian options that are high in protein?
🎧 Can you tell me if the salad contains any dairy products? I am lactose intolerant.
🎧 Great! I will order the grilled chicken without sauce and the quinoa salad.
🧩 Mini Practice
Repeat these sentences aloud.
Ask: Could you please explain this dish?
Ask: Is this sauce spicy or mild?
Ask: I am allergic to nuts. Does this dish have any?
Ask: Can I have it without cheese?
Ask: Are the vegetables fresh or frozen?
Ask: Does this meal contain any gluten?
Say: I will order the fish, but no sauce, please.
Ask: Do you have any vegetarian dishes with protein?
Ask: Can you recommend a dish without onions?
Ask: Is this dessert made with dairy products?
🧳 Glossary
| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| grilled | Cooked on a grill over direct heat, usually with lines on the food. |
| sauce | A liquid or cream added to food to give it more flavor. |
| spicy | Food that has strong or hot flavors, often from chili or pepper. |
| vegetarian | A person or food that does not include meat or fish. |
| allergic | Having a harmful reaction to certain foods or substances. |
| lactose intolerant | Unable to digest milk sugar, so avoid dairy products. |
| ingredients | The foods or substances used to make a dish. |
| fresh | Not frozen or preserved; recently picked or prepared. |
✅ Quick check
Can you understand the dialogue and repeat the important sentences?