The experience and ambiance of fine dining leave you feeling elegant and sophisticated. When invited to a formal dinner party or restaurant for the first time, don't let the etiquette expectations intimidate or stop you from attending. Learning and practicing formal dinner etiquette beforehand will help you seem like an expert while letting you enjoy your time at the event as you indulge in delicious food and drinks.
Start preparing for your formal dinner by understanding the basics of fine dining etiquette.
Making a Reservation
Many fine dining restaurants in the United States have a reservation policy. To get a table, you must call ahead and reserve one, detailing how many people are in your party and what time you will arrive. Try to arrive at least 10 minutes before your reservation time unless otherwise specified. Additionally, some restaurants will take credit card numbers to hold reservations, and if a no-show occurs, the restaurant will charge a fee.
If you are running late or need to cancel the reservation, call the restaurant beforehand. Formal dining restaurants are busy, so they may only hold your table if you arrive late with prior notice. If you know your party can no longer make the reservation, call the restaurant as soon as possible to cancel. Canceling far in advance ensures someone else can get the table. Plus, it's the polite thing to do.
What to Wear When Dining Formal
How you dress at a fine dining restaurant depends on the restaurant's policies or the dress code detailed on your event's invitation.
For many formal occasions, dressing in business casual or casual elegant suffices. A nice button-down collared shirt and slacks or khakis are suitable for men, while trousers, a blouse, a skirt or a day dress are acceptable for women. You can elevate a business casual outfit with additional accessories or a more formal sportscoat to make it casual-elegant attire.
In some cases, formal attire is the preferred dress code. In this case, men should wear a dark suit or tuxedo and tie, while women should wear a floor-length evening gown. Always reach out to your event's host or the restaurant to confirm the type of attire you should wear if you need clarification.
General Fine Dining Etiquette and Rules
While dining at a formal restaurant or event, guests should follow specific rules and etiquette to ensure everyone attending behaves properly and enjoys their meal. General fine dining etiquette includes:
- Make light conversation with everyone or at least those around you.
- Leave used cutlery after a course on the dish to be cleared.
- Leave unused utensils in their place.
- Keep the rim of your plate clean so service staff can easily gather dishes.
- Wait to eat until your host does and until all guests at the table have received their plates.
- Pace yourself to eat at the speed of everyone else at the table.
If you have any doubts about etiquette rules, follow your host's lead. They likely have experience in formal settings if they planned the fine dining event.
How to Use the Cutlery
Once the meal starts and you receive the courses, there's a proper way to follow dinner silverware etiquette. Formal dining restaurants often have multiple cutlery sets, each corresponding to the dishes you'll eat. You'll start using the utensils from the outside in as you make your way through each course. How you position your cutlery between eating and once the meal is over tells the waitstaff specific messages, like if you're ready for the next plate or didn't like the dish.
Common cutlery positions you may use and their meanings include:
- Ready to eat:Â The fork and knife are in their original spots, opposite and parallel to each other.
- Not finished or paused:Â The fork and knife are in an upside-down v-shape on the plate, with the tips of the utensils pointed together, either not or slightly touching.
- Ready for the next dish:Â The fork and knife form a cross on the plate, with the fork facing up and the knife pointing to the left.
- Finished eating:Â The fork and knife are placed vertically in the center of the plate, with the utensil tops pointing up.
The waitstaff at fine dining locations often receive training about cutlery positions, so they'll understand what the positions mean.
Reserve Your Spot at Chef Adrianne's
Ready to experience the best fine dining has to offer? Practice your newly acquired fine dining etiquette knowledge while enjoying a delicious taste of Napa Valley at Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Bar in Miami. Explore the flavors of a carefully curated menu made with locally and sustainably sourced ingredients.
Make your reservation for a table at Chef Adrianne's, or reserve a private dining room today!