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Dining Out Tips

To tip or not to tip - International travel tip

by Sam Eggleston (RSS feed) on Feb 18th, 2010 at 10:23PM

Just because you might drop a few bucks on the table after eating dinner in the States doesn't mean that's appropriate behavior everywhere. It's best to check local customs before deciding to do the same in another country.

Some countries, such as New Zealand, Australia and Japan, don't customarily tip and the result can be confusion for your servers. In other countries, such as France, the tip is added to the bill automatically.

Take the time and check online or ask locally if tips are customary before making the gesture.

Challenge your family to a food "dare" contest - Dining out tip

by Tamar Auber (RSS feed) on Feb 18th, 2010 at 10:19AM

We go on vacation to be someplace different. Yet many people eat the same old foods on vacation as they eat at home. On your next vacation, challenge your family to a food "dare" contest. Here's how:

Go to a local marketplace or anywhere serving local foods.
Ask each member of the family to find one food for everyone to try.
Pick an outside area for a picnic and be sure to photograph the foods and the faces.
Whoever picks the best food item, wins!

The meal might not be tasty or balanced but it's sure to be memorable.

Exchange traveler's checks before going to dinner - International travel tip

by Crystel G. Lee (RSS feed) on Feb 11th, 2010 at 10:00AM

When dining in a foreign country, exchange your traveler's checks for local currency before going to a restaurant.

While traveler's checks are pretty much accepted everywhere, don't expect the restaurant employees to be adept at exchange rate calculation.

My best friend and I learned this the hard way dining at our first restaurant in Europe. We received far less change than we were owed and couldn't communicate well enough to explain the problem. That, or we were taken advantage of. Either way, we didn't make that mistake again!

Learn what's fresh, and eat that - Dining out tip

by Marael Johnson (RSS feed) on Feb 11th, 2010 at 9:55AM

Order dishes made with locally grown, produced, or just-caught ingredients, like cheeses, tomatoes, oranges, olives, seafood, and other bounty. Ask your restaurant server or research your dining destination so you'll be in the know.

Also, check out local markets to see what vendors have stocked in their bins. If you spot a huge vat of eggplant, then you'll probably be happy ordering some eggplant parmesan at dinner that night. Tanks filled with squirming lobsters? Yep, there's your splurge. If your dining spot has an onsite bakery and you're not a carbo-phobe, you can fill up on warm buns and breads straight from the oven.

Groceries can be a cultural experience - Dining out tip

by Robin L. Ingle (RSS feed) on Feb 9th, 2010 at 12:41PM

When you arrive in a town in a country that's not your own, check out the local culture by heading for the grocery store.

You'll find more new food experiences than you would in a restaurant at half the price -- and you can still dine out!

For instance, on a trip to Denmark, we visited a village's grocery, looked at all the interesting foods, and bought some fabulous cheese, yogurt and smoked fish. We took it to a park and had the best lunch of our trip. (If you plan to do this, don't forget to throw some plastic cutlery in your suitcase!)

"Venue-hop" for a progressive dinner - Dining out tip

by Stacey Anne Yates (RSS feed) on Feb 2nd, 2010 at 9:42AM

Venue-hopping is a great way to sample the cuisine and make any city your dining amusement park. How to "venue-hop"? Simple!

Start with DRINKS at a local dive, where you're bound to get some great recommendations on local cuisine from residents.
Move on to APPETIZERS at an upscale restaurant that you might otherwise skip on a tight budget.
Make sure to sample the local specialty for your MAIN COURSE at a more casual establishment.
Top the evening off by ordering your DESSERT/COFFEE to-go from a local bakery. Walk the streets or find a park to enjoy your dessert.

Say you're allergic - Dining out tip

by Oona Chinen (RSS feed) on Jan 21st, 2010 at 5:55PM

If your hosts offers you something you really don't want to taste and you don't want to be rude, say you are allergic to an important ingredient of that dish.

For example, if your hosts offer you some balut (fertilized duck egg), gently tell them that you are allergic to duck or amniotic fluid. And make sure you don't eat roasted duck in front of your hosts later!

In many poor countries, offering a visitor meat is among the most flattering and respectful things a host can do. As such, claiming to be a vegetarian -- even if it's true -- can be very insulting and confusing to your host.

Always have two places in mind - Dining out tip

by Scott Boyce (RSS feed) on Jan 21st, 2010 at 9:43AM

Every vacationer's itinerary should include broad strokes of where to eat at all points along the way. However, a smart vacationer always has two places in mind for each meal, because restaurants occasionally close with little warning.

Having two options in mind ahead of time certainly doesn't limit you to those establishments only, but a little bit of advance work pays off when no better option presents itself during your tour.

Eat street food! - Dining out tip

by Becky Medellin (RSS feed) on Jan 19th, 2010 at 11:01PM

When traveling, don't dine out at a fancy restaurant. Instead, head to a street vendor, especially if you're in a foreign country.

I promise it's delicious and safe to eat. Furthermore, you'll probably get a better feel for the local culture and cuisine dining alongside locals. Plus, you'll save big bucks, as street food is notoriously inexpensive.

My favorite places for street food? Mexico and France!

Eat early - Dining out tip

by Wendy Gould (RSS feed) on Jan 17th, 2010 at 8:38AM

One of the best parts of a vacation is trying new and tasty cuisines. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most expensive parts. To give your wallet a break and still relish in the joys of fine dining, opt for eating out earlier in the day.

As a rule, breakfast, brunch and lunch menus are less expensive than dinner menus. A big meal earlier in the day is also a great way to keep you energetic for the day's sightseeing activities.

It's okay to splurge on dinner every once in a while, but consider something quick, easy and inexpensive for most of your later meals. Bonus: by not filling up late at night, you'll feel more awake, ready to tackle your destination's nightlife!

Call ahead, make sure they're there - Dining out tip

by E. White (RSS feed) on Jan 15th, 2010 at 2:57AM

If you find a restaurant through a listing in the phone book, a local tourist magazine, or from an online service like Yelp, don't rush out the door. Call first.

Things change. Call the restaurant and ask about their hours, parking situation, whether they require reservations -- anything. What you're really doing is confirming that they're still in business. It's no fun to choose a restaurant in an unfamiliar city, make the effort to get there, and then find out it no longer exists. This can be especially frustrating if you had to take a cab to get there!

Calling ahead will give you crucial information. Your questions -- both asked and unasked -- will be answered, and if necessary, you'll have a chance to choose another restaurant before leaving your room.

Eat "linner" - Dining out tip

by Susan L. Wells (RSS feed) on Jan 14th, 2010 at 8:02AM

Eating out on vacation can be be expensive. There are so many choices to make, and a limited amount of time and money to spend. Perhaps you've heard of a fabulous restaurant, but the dinner menu is a bank-account-draining monster. Why not try a late lunch -- "linner"* -- or happy hour?

Luppers and happy hours at famous restaurants generally offer the same quality of food for a smaller price; they often have some super specials; and you still get to check out the ambiance of the restaurant. However, you don't have to sell your car just to have a nice meal! Bon appetit!

*[Ed's note: My grandmother used to call this meal "lupper."]

Enjoy "island time" - Dining out tip

by Missy Jess (RSS feed) on Jan 13th, 2010 at 2:58AM

When vacationing in the Caribbean, remember that everything -- including service in restaurants -- runs on "island time."

Life on The Islands runs at a more relaxed, laid-back pace than most Americans are accustomed to. Plan accordingly -- dining at a restaurant in the Caribbean can take 20 to 40 more minutes (or more!) than you're used to back in the United States. To deal with this, either budget more cushion into your meal times ... or don't plan anything, and just go with the flow.

Remember -- your server isn't being lazy or ignoring you -- a slower pace is simply the way of life in the Caribbean. Enjoy it, Mon. You're on vacation!

Do your homework before leaving - Dining out tip

by Allan May (RSS feed) on Jan 7th, 2010 at 2:04PM

Fish tacos in San Diego, deep dish pizza in Chicago, crab cakes in Maryland: anywhere you travel, there's likely a specialty food to go along with it.

Thanks to the Internet and sites like Yelp, researching has never been easier when it comes to finding the best food and restaurants in a particular locale. Don't forget to check the web for local tips -- and be sure to consider sourcing information on Facebook and Twitter.

Before your next trip be sure to do your homework and it will pay off when you arrive and are ready to experience the local cuisine.

One last tip: try to find the places locals prefer ... and avoid restaurants who thrive on the business of tourists.

Get personal with locals - Dining out tip

by Oakwolf (RSS feed) on Jan 4th, 2010 at 4:04PM

Locals are always the best resource for local information, naturally. But an answer is only as good as the question. Don't just ask where the best steak house is, or the best sea food place. Ask something like, "Where would you go for steak if it were your birthday?" or "Where was the most romantic dinner you ever had in this town?"

You'll get something other than the canned answer, and you may get a really great story in the bargain.

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