The Mere Mortal's Guide to Fine Dining

Fromaperitiftodigestif,approacheverymealwithsavvyandgrace.We’veallexperiencedFancy-PantsRestaurantJittersatsomepoint–thefearthatyouwillunknowinglycommitsomefine-diningcrime,whetherit’susingthewrongfork,pickinganamateurwine,mispronouncingfoiegras,orgaspingwhenyourfishentréearriveswithitsheadstillattached.Relax.TheMereMortal’sGuidetoFineDiningistheultimateantidotetorestaurantanxiety.Wheredoesyournapkingowhenyouleavethetable?Shouldyousniffthewinecork?Andwhy,praytell,aretheresomanyforks?Thiscomprehensiveandaccessibleprimeranswerstheseanddozensofotherquestionsandoffersthebasicsoneveryaspectoffinedining,including:*Howtonavigateaplacesetting*Speakingmenu-eseandthelanguageoffinefood*Arefresheronpoliteandpolishedtablemanners*911forwinenovices*Acarnivore’sguidetobeef,pork,lamb,andveal*Whatlocal,sustainable,andorganicreallymean*Japanesediningdosanddon’ts*Who’swhoonarestaurant’sstaff*Howtobearegular—orgettheperkslikeone*Toprestaurantsacrossthecountry*Whatthefoodsnobsknow(andyoushould,too)*Andmuchmore…Withalittlehelp,anyMereMortalcanorderwinewithconfidence,getgreat,attitude-freeservice,deciphermenus,andfinally,truly,savoranydiningexperience.