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Lesson 2: Restaurant Recommendations
Do you know where we can find a decent restaurant near here?

I can ask for restaurant recommendations.

INTRODUCE

You can ask hotel staff or locals for restaurant recommendations by describing the kind of restaurant that you want to go to.

PRESENT

STEP A VOCABULARY

I. Listen and repeat.

inexpensive

affordable

charming

decent

chic

trendy

II. Which of the adjectives above describe this restaurant? Choose two or three.

III. Practice reading the words.

/tr/

/dr/

trendy

dreamy

trip

drip

trunk

drunk

STEP B GRAMMAR TIP

Use indirect questions such as Do you know…?, Could you tell me…?, and Do you have any idea…? to ask something politely.

For yes/no questions, use if/whether and affirmative sentence word order after the expressions.

 

Is it expensive?

Do you know if it is expensive?

Do you know whether it is expensive?
  • Could you tell me if there’s a good Mexican restaurant near here?
  • Do you have any idea whether it’s open late?

For ­wh-/how questions, use wh-/how and affirmative sentence word order after the expressions.

What time do they close?

Do you know what time they close?
  • Do you have any idea where we can find a trendy cafe?
  • Could you tell me how I can make a reservation there?

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Ai is talking to the front desk clerk at the Thai hotel that she and Jake are staying at.

Clerk:

Good evening. How may I help you?

Ai:

Hi. My husband and I would like to go out to dinner tonight. Do you know where we can find a decent restaurant near here?

Clerk:

I recommend The Rustique. It’s a three-star restaurant that’s just a few minutes on foot from here. If you’re lucky, the owner might even be there.

Ai:

Oh, that’s great! My husband’s very picky. If the owner’s there, I’m sure we can get quality service. Thank you. Umm… Could you tell me how we can get there?

Clerk:

Sure. Go out the main entrance and turn left. The Rustique is just a few meters past the bank.

Ai:

Okay. Oh, do you have any idea what time they close? It’s quite late, but we don’t want to rush eating.

Clerk:

Let me check. (pause) They close at midnight.

Ai:

Oh, great! Thank you very much.

Clerk:

You’re welcome. Enjoy your night.

TRIVIA

Japanese speakers tend to say I recommend you [noun], but you is actually not necessary in this pattern. You should say I recommend [noun].

 

X I recommend you The Rustique.

O I recommend The Rustique.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Change the questions into indirect questions.

ex. Where can I go for some decent coffee?

→ Do you know where I can go for some decent coffee?

 

1. What time does the café open?

→ Do you have any idea __________?

 

2. Is the view nice?

→ Do you know __________?

 

3. How trendy is it?

→ Could you tell me __________?

 

4. Are the desserts good?

→ Do you have any idea __________?

STEP B EXERCISE

Read the thought bubbles. What do you think each person will ask? Make questions. More than one answer is possible.

I gained five kilos!

ex. Do you have any idea where I can find a gym?

 

I really need a new shirt!

1. Do you know __________?

 

I’m so hungry, but I don’t have much money.

2. Can you tell me __________?

 

I want to party tonight!

3. Do you have any idea __________?

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You and your friend are at a mall overseas. You are looking for a nice restaurant for lunch.


Ask the person at the information desk for recommendations. Be sure to do the following:

  • Ask for restaurants with a specific atmosphere.
  • Ask what kind of food is served there.
  • Ask about the price.
  • Ask how to get to the restaurant.

Today's grammar tip

  • Could you tell me...?
  • Do you know...?
  • Do you have any idea...?

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE
2

ASKING FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
3

HOTEL STAFF
1

RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

  1. What kind of restaurant atmosphere do you like (ex. trendy, traditional)?
  2. Do you pick restaurants based on their atmosphere?
  3. Are you willing to pay more for a restaurant with a good atmosphere?
  4. Are you willing to go to a restaurant that has a bad atmosphere but really good food?

2ASKING FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

  1. What do you ask for recommendations about (ex. restaurants, hotels)?
  2. Who do you usually ask for recommendations?
  3. Do you usually trust other people’s recommendations?
  4. What was the worst thing that someone ever recommended to you?

3HOTEL STAFF

  1. When you stay at a hotel, do you ask the hotel staff for help?
  2. Do you prefer talking to hotel staff by phone or in person?
  3. Have hotel staff ever been rude to you? If so, what happened?
  4. When overseas, do you give the hotel staff tips?

FEEDBACK

I can ask for restaurant recommendations.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK