Whether you want to impress your friends or just get through dinner with above par service, there are things you can do as a guest to ensure your money won't be wasted and that you will have a great time.  It just takes a few simple things to set yourself apart from the other guests in the restaurant, and be treated like a V.I.P....

Know what kind of restaurant you are going to
Is there a dress code?  Open parking or valet?  Is it "kid-friendly"?  Is your favorite credit card accepted.  A la carte, fixed menu, buffet?  Your experience will be more enjoyable if you know what to expect. 

Make a reservation
If the restaurant takes reservations, by all means make one.  It is probably wrong but most restaurants treat their reservations better than those unfortunates who walk in and go on "the wait".  Whenever possible, make your reservation with the manager and let them know of any special needs ahead of time (wheelchair access, dietary concerns, time constraints, etc...).

Drop a name
We live in a starstruck culture and restaurant people, although they see their fair share of celebrities, are not immune.  If you are working on the set of Julia Robert's new movie, let them know when you make the reservation.  You don't have to be obnoxious about it, just say, casually, "I'm in town working on Julia Robert's movie and I heard you had a great restaurant and wanted to make a reservation..."  Of course, you don't want to stretch the truth too much; you never know if Julia might be dining in the next booth over...

Compliments will get you everywhere
If you were dining at a friend's house, you would be treated great, right?  So, the first thing you need to do is make the server your friend.  When they approach your table listen to what they have to say and use the opportunity to set yourself apart and get them on your side.  Ask questions.  How long they have worked there?  Do they like working there?  Do they go to school?  Showing interest in someone will always benefit you.  Acknowledge if they are busy and compliment them on their hard work and how well they are handling everything.  Now that you have fed their ego you have their attention. 

Get the server involved
Ask the server to recommend items for you or even let them choose your meal for you. Doing this will not only get you some of the best items on the menu, but the server will then become much more concerned about your order. The more involved the server is in your dining experience the more responsible they will feel to make sure everything is perfect.

Don't act like Sally in "When Harry Met Sally"
Order from the menu.  Don't make your own.  The restaurant, if successful, is great at making their recipes.  They may not be as good preparing something you come up with.  A minor modification, now and then, is OK.  But don't try and turn a cheese pizza into your grandma's eggplant calzone.

Undercooked meat is not the end of the world
If a problem does occur, first of all call them by their name (No "Hey..."  and especially no "Hey, Miss!").  Explain the problem. Keep your cool and they will take care of whatever is wrong.  At the same time tell them what you do like so you don't come off as just a complainer.  When the server solves the problem let them know that you appreciate their initiative.  Remember it is just dinner, don't make it seem like your whole world has just ended because your medium steak came out rare. 

Try out your new jokes
Humor is a great way to show your server that you are there to have a good time and you are a guest that can joke around.  Be careful not to come across too sarcastic, you want them to know you are just kidding around.

Don't pitch a tent
Restaurant workers have a name for people who hang out for hours on end, not ordering food or spending money:  "Campers".  And it is not meant to be endearing.  It's fine to spend a few minutes after a meal having coffee and talking, but more than a half-hour is costing the restaurant, and your server money.  If you ever find yourself in a restaurant that is running behind on seating its reservations on time, it is usually because of "campers".

Return like a Rock Star
Now if you are checking out a restaurant because you are planning to bring friends in and you want to impress them, then now is your time.  Let your server know that you intend to return and tell them you want to request them.  Trust me, they will take care of you this time and love it when you bring your friends back.  

Leave a good tip
It doesn't matter how much fun you were to server or how nice you were, they are still there to work and make money.  A server will always remember a good tipper and a bad tipper.  If you are coming back soon it won't hurt to tip a little extra.  When they see you walk in the next time you will be treated like a king. Even if that server does not serve you, they will remember you and pass on the information to their friend who is. Your friends will be impressed and you will have a great time.

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