Sometimes the answer to a question is what to order in a restaurant, more difficult than it seems. Of course some foods cannot be eaten by no means, but sometimes an order looks quite fresh and appetizing without actually being so.

How can you make sure that you are not risking your health? Who, if not the catering staff, will tell you this secret.

Of course, they will not say this openly, otherwise they will lose their jobs. So we found a forum in the Ask Reddit community, where waiters and chefs shed light on the dirty secrets of the food industry.

So, what should you not order in a restaurant so as not to test your stomach's strength? Some points of our anti-rating you will be surprised.

Salads and sandwiches

Especially rare and not popular. More often than other dishes, they lose their freshness long before they reach your table. Insiders claim that the chicken for the sandwich waits at least 8 hours to be ordered, not in the refrigerator, but on the grill. As for semi-finished products for salads, in many establishments they are prepared once a week, and then only supplemented with perishable ingredients and seasoned.

Seafood dishes at special prices And shucked oysters

(or dishes with them). It is very likely that by lowering prices, the restaurant is simply getting rid of old stock on the eve of a new supply.

Ice

If an establishment adds ice to almost all drinks, keep in mind: there is probably mold in the cubes. (Unless you've seen with your own eyes how an ice maker is disassembled and thoroughly cleaned.)

Well-done steak

Never Never order it, unless, of course, you want to know what the meat that has been lying around in the kitchen tastes like.

Antipasti salad

"We were preparing antipasti from the remains of unsold sausage and cheese slices. They were usually out of date, but we cut them into cubes and tossed them with Italian dressing. It even sounds disgusting, but people liked it,” one of the chefs admits .

Dishes from too varied menu

“Any establishment with an 8-page menu feeds you frozen meals and other processed foods,”- warns one of the respondents.

Fish dishes on Mondays

As a rule, every week the last order for fish is on Friday, and the restaurant does not receive fresh fish until Tuesday.

Dishes with rare ingredients

“Study the menu. If the ingredient is used in only one dish, there is a high probability that it is not as fresh as other products,”- advises one of the waiters.

"Signature dishes" with chicken, fish, beef and pork

Most likely, the meat/fish expires tomorrow, and they are trying to sell it to you so as not to throw it away. This is the rationale for most “signature” menu items, unless it is a new dish for which demand is being studied.

All dishes with bacon And grated cheese

Often these ingredients are not stored according to the rules.

It turns out that dining is only safe at home? Not certainly in that way. The above applies, first of all, to fast food chains. We dare to hope that in reputable establishments and expensive restaurants everything is completely different.

Now that you know that you can't eat fast food, placing an order will be much easier.

10 dishes that waiters do not recommend ordering in a restaurant updated: May 3, 2018 by: Anna Starkova

When going on a first date (or even a second, fifth or fifteenth), every woman carefully thinks through her outfit, makeup and hairstyle. Many, not limiting themselves to this, have interesting topics for conversation in advance. Have you ever wondered how choosing the “wrong” dishes in a cafe or restaurant can ruin all your efforts? In order not to spoil the impression of yourself, try to remember how to behave appropriately at the table on a date and what you can order and what it is better to refrain from.

One of my friends was dismissed by a pleasant gentleman after she ordered seemingly harmless spaghetti with tomato sauce. He was shocked by the sight: as you know, when eating pasta it is impossible to avoid unaesthetic smacking and squelching sounds... Another girl herself received a “culture shock” when, watching her order salad, rolls, dessert, ice cream and coffee, the young man said in shock: “Wow, how much you eat!” She immediately concluded that he was greedy and hastened to part with him.

So, if on your first date a man invites you to places where they eat, listen to our advice. To avoid getting into an awkward position.

coffee house- perhaps one of the most suitable places for the occasion. Here you just need to order a cup of coffee and some simple cake that you can eat with a spoon. Avoid complex, gourmet desserts - not everyone can overcome embarrassment and understandable stiffness when wielding cutlery on a first date. When ordering ice cream, make sure it is served in a bowl and you can eat it carefully with a spoon.

Restaurant. It happens that a gentleman invites a lady to lunch or dinner at a restaurant. If you are given the right to choose (and a well-mannered man will definitely ask which place you would like to go), give preference to a familiar restaurant and a familiar menu. Don't order too much - it can really leave a bad impression. Make the dishes comfortable, so that you can be neat and at the same time feel free enough to carry on a conversation at the table. We have already talked about spaghetti. What else should you be wary of?

Some friendly advice

Soup- a fairly neutral choice, especially when it comes to lunch. But imagine how you will be served hot soup and how you will have to suck in the scalding broth, slurping unattractively. It is better to leave the first courses for a time when you have already known each other for a sufficient amount of time.

Pizza, hot sandwiches. The melted cheese reaches for the fork and you have to pick it up. You need to be able to cut the hot pizza carefully, making sure that the sauce does not splash either on you or the tablecloth. In general, there are too many difficulties.

Vegetable salads- an excellent choice, just make sure first that they do not contain raw onions, garlic, or herbs. There is no need to explain about onions and garlic, but a tiny piece of parsley can ruin your impression forever, treacherously stuck between your front teeth.

Alcohol- a great way to loosen up a little, but only if you limit yourself to a minimal portion. A glass of light wine will be enough.

Sushi and rolls- if you know how to use chopsticks, that's half the battle. If not, don't tempt fate.

If it happens during your lunch break or right after the end of the work day, you are most likely hungry. Why pretend it's not true? An adequate man will understand this perfectly. In this case, it is recommended to order a simple hot dish (something like goulash, which does not need to be cut with a knife and which can be eaten carefully), a salad and, possibly, dessert. Some experts advise girls not to get too carried away with sweets - let the man understand that you are taking care of your figure and appreciate your ability to self-sacrifice. However, this issue is resolved individually.

Be careful when ordering dishes with peas or beans. These products often create problems regarding the process of gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract. This is of no use to you.

Many types of cheese, as well as feta cheese, can cause a persistent unpleasant odor.

Exotic foods. Firstly, it is completely unknown how to properly eat snails, lobster or lobster. Secondly, if this food is unusual for you, you cannot predict how your body will behave later. What if an allergic reaction occurs and you become covered in red spots?

Finally, one last recommendation. In the civilized world, it is customary for the man who invited the lady to pay her bill at the restaurant. In countries where militant feminism flourishes, men are hesitant to offer this to a lady - if she is a feminist, she may be offended. If we talk about our country, then here this issue is in “suspense”. Just in case, when going to a restaurant with your gentleman, take money. But what if…

When going to a restaurant, any gourmet wants not only to have a good time in the company of friends and family, but also to enjoy excellent dishes. Most modern establishments offer a fairly varied menu, so many visitors have difficulty choosing the right delicacies. What can you order in a restaurant in different life situations? Choose mouth-watering and delicious dishes based on your wishes!

What can you order at a restaurant for dinner?

If you decide not to spend extra time on cooking, but rather enjoy food created by talented chefs, be sure to go to a good cafe after a working day. What can you order at a restaurant for dinner? If you are trying to adhere to the principles of proper nutrition, remember that your last meal should not be too high in calories. You will probably like these options:

• light salad with arugula and shrimp;
• an assortment of your favorite seafood;
• grilled fish with spices;
• vegetables baked with mozzarella cheese.

Are you planning a small friendly get-together on a Friday night and want to enjoy your favorite alcoholic drinks? Classic burgers and nachos with corn chips and sauces go perfectly with hoppy beer. Gourmets who prefer wine will certainly enjoy meat dishes with savory spices and traditional steaks.

What to order in a restaurant for a holiday?

Celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and important corporate dates in the restaurant has long become a pleasant tradition. As a rule, reputable and popular establishments offer special menu options for such occasions. So, what can you order in a restaurant for a noisy and unforgettable feast? Typically the holiday menu includes the following delicacies:

• Salads and cold appetizers. Homemade cold cuts will please most gourmets. No less interesting is tartare with beef or salmon. Vegetables with original dressing awaken the appetite before the main part of the meal.
• Hot appetizers and main courses. Deep-fried squid rings, delicious grilled vegetables, fish fillet with tomatoes and mashed potatoes, baked duck with apple, hearty and aromatic lamb with wine sauce - just a few win-win ideas that will surprise the most demanding guest!
• Dessert. Of course, some cafes allow you to bring cakes with you, but it is better to entrust the preparation of sweets to real culinary virtuosos. Creme brulee with a seductive fruity hue, classic cheesecake, mind-blowing tiramisu, impressive with magical lightness - you have every chance to amaze your guests!

Of course, if you wish, you can think through the menu yourself, but practice shows that this takes quite a lot of time. It is better to entrust the organization of the feast to a competent specialist. By the way, the Navarro's restaurant offers several banquet menu options in different price categories. Pamper yourself and your loved ones with a magnificent combination of European traditions and sensual Latin American and Mediterranean notes!

What to order at a restaurant on a date?

During the first romantic meeting, many couples go to a restaurant. Guys and girls want to make an amazing impression on each other, so it’s important to be responsible when choosing the right dishes. What can you order in a restaurant in such a situation?

Girls prefer to enjoy light and refined dishes that can be eaten carefully and even elegantly. Among these delicacies:

• fish fillet with vegetable garnish;
• squid prepared according to various recipes;
• appetizers and salads with not too thin sauce;
• traditional steaks;
• various desserts and fruit sets.

On a first date, you definitely shouldn’t order heavy fast food and crumbly dishes (pilaf, boiled rice, paella). It is also better to leave savory first courses for subsequent meetings: there is a high risk of putting a stain on your favorite dress and ending up in an awkward situation.

You will also have to give up those dishes that you need to eat with your hands. Snails, crabs and lobsters are not the best option for a romantic dinner. By the way, when visiting a restaurant with exotic cuisine, you should immediately ask the waiter about the level of spiciness of the delicacies offered. Experimenting with food rich in spices and various peppers is not recommended.

What to order at a restaurant if you are watching your figure?

Men and women who want to be in great shape try to eat right even when visiting their favorite establishments. To avoid the temptation to eat too much delicious food, first ask the waiter to bring you a glass of still mineral water. This move will not only reduce appetite, but also activate metabolism. You won't be afraid to consume a lot of calories. Next, follow these recommendations:

• start your meal with vegetable dishes, which are rich in fiber and perfectly satiating;
• Refuse the temptation to try branded buns and free bread;
• when ordering salads, pay attention to the composition of the dressing, which can be quite high in calories;
• find out the serving size in advance;
• remember that even the most hearty soups are not as high in calories as many snacks with fatty sauces;
• Ideally, you should choose fish dishes and seafood instead of heavy meat;
• If possible, ask the waiter that the ordered food be prepared without salt or with minimal addition of it;
• Don't forget that alcoholic drinks contain a huge amount of calories.

The Navarro's restaurant offers a varied menu, which is constantly updated with exquisite signature dishes from our talented chef. By visiting this establishment, you can easily decide on the choice of suitable food for a festive feast, a friendly meeting, a romantic date or lunch after a workout in gym. And if necessary, the waiter will tell you what you can order in the restaurant.

Existing in this world of bodybuilders is not an easy thing. In particular, because of the holidays, when the hall and restaurants are closed. Well, is it possible to eat normally there?

Existing in this world of bodybuilders is not an easy thing. In particular, because of the holidays, when the hall and restaurants are closed. Well, is it possible to eat normally there? Look at the bodybuilder in the restaurant. With his doomed face, he resembles a Roman emperor, confident that he will certainly be poisoned at this dinner. Well, in fact, restaurants have not yet learned how to serve healthy food. However, with the help of my article, you will still be able to eat at a restaurant. Read and remember...

Where to begin.

To brighten up the wait for the ordered dish, the waiter usually brings us something to drink (or drink). I advise you to order ordinary water (still) - this is a healthy drink for a bodybuilder. In more luxurious places, they will throw a slice of lemon into the water for taste and smell. What else can you afford? Iced tea (no sugar!), diet drinks like sugar-free Coke, and even skim milk. What, too boring? Then order a glass of red wine. It contains approximately 120 calories (not very much), and red wine has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. You can even afford light beer. About half a liter, but no more. But cocktails containing alcohol are contraindicated for you and me. The more luxurious the drink, the more “harmful” calories it contains - this is a general rule. For example, if you ordered a double martini, then you know that in a tiny glass you will get more than 300 calories. Alcoholic drinks are also undesirable because they relax you to such a state in which a person tends to eat more than he should.

At the risk of disappointing you: do not order appetizers. At once you will get 500-600 calories, half of which will be “fat”. Avoid Latin American "exotics", especially if sour cream is added to it; On average, such dishes exceed 1,000 calories, and more than half of them are again “fat.” Beware of the eggs; if the appetizer contains chopped eggs, then the total calorie content of the dish will be at least 200 calories (half “fat”). Bread and chips fried in fat (often with a spicy but fatty sauce) can be brought to you for free, but you will then have to “burn off” calories (and oh, there are so many of them!) then you will have to spend several hours. In addition, bread and chips quickly swell in the stomach, and therefore create a feeling of complete satiety. It turns out to be a curiosity - they bring you a healthy dish, but you no longer want it...

This does not mean that the average restaurant cannot offer you more or less healthy food. Fitness experts advise looking for shrimp cocktails or fruit salads on the menu (there are minimal calories here). By the way, about vegetable salads. Ask the waiter to top the salad you ordered with low-fat sauce or low-fat mayonnaise (or better yet, nothing at all!). If you don't like low-fat mayonnaise, ask for vegetable oil (don't overdo it!), and preferably just sprinkle lemon juice on the vegetables. Sometimes soups are served before the main course. What matters here is what they were cooked on. If it's made with regular meat broth, that's not bad - then the plate contains relatively few calories and fat. For example, vegetable soup with beef broth or noodle soup with chicken broth contain less than 100 calories and about 2 grams of fat. But pureed soup, as a rule, with the addition of heavy cream will not suit you; too many calories (more than 300). Of these, about 40% are “fat”. Some pureed soups, such as chicken or broccoli, contain up to 50% fatty calories.

Main course.

How do you know if a food will do you good or bad as a bodybuilder? Very simple: according to the method of preparation.

Beware of anything that is deep-fried, that is, in oil. Personally, you only need what is fried on the grill or charcoal, steamed or boiled. Depending on the cooking method, standard chicken dishes can have a calorie difference of 600 units - and this is with the same amount of protein! Plus, “bad” chicken will cost you an extra 50-60 grams of fat. But this is almost your daily norm! It's the same story with steaks. Hot sandwiches with meat, in principle, suit us, but ask them to bring them without mayonnaise: thereby you will “deprive” yourself of 200 calories and 20-25 grams of fat. By the way, if you like mustard, you can also get it in a restaurant in low-fat form; Diet mustard contains 38 calories and 0 grams of fat (in two teaspoons).

Regular beef burgers are bursting with protein, but they also contain plenty of fat. The classic bacon cheeseburger has 935 calories, 53 grams of protein and 63 grams of fat. It is clear that such cases are ordered for us! If you’ve already stopped by McDonald’s, then buy burgers with chicken or fish; they have a lot of protein (up to 45 grams), little fat (15-20 grams) and not very many calories - 290-300. Let me remind you that we are talking about standard burgers from McDonald's, meanwhile, today many restaurants serve sandwiches prepared by themselves. It is clear that the larger the burger, the more harmful it is.

Now let's talk about the side dish. It is quite safe to eat potatoes (baked, mashed), boiled vegetables or steamed rice. But French fries are contraindicated! The main course plus side dish often comes to you from the kitchen in the form of huge plates overflowing with food. Don't even think about eating it all! If there is no one to help, ask the waiter to pack the rest of your order - you will take it home with you. Every decent restaurant has plastic boxes for this purpose. And don’t have a complex - no one will consider you too stingy. A similar service has existed in the restaurant business since the times of medieval taverns. Restaurant waiters eagerly pack food for visitors. After a couple of hours, you will get hungry, open the box and once again gratefully remember where you went for a walk. In the conditions of fierce restaurant competition, all this is important. And in general, behave more freely in a restaurant. Feel free to discuss future portion sizes with the waiter. Ask to replace the side dish if it doesn’t suit you, as a jock. For example, chops are often “accompanied” by French fries, but they are not at all about you. Ask to replace fries with vegetables. In all restaurants they will readily accommodate you - as long as you pay (and come again).

I repeat, the first rule for a fitness fan is to clarify with the staff how a particular dish is prepared before ordering. It is clear that not all waiters can afford to try the food of their restaurant, and therefore your questions may well confuse the garçon. Feel free to send the dunno to the kitchen: let him figure it out. Once again I want to emphasize the seriousness of the problem. An outwardly appetizing dish may well be a time bomb. For example, fish is often fried in butter or refined vegetable oil. Well, this is death to the drawn muscles! If it’s fish, then only on the grill. What if there is no grill? Then ask what kind of pan they will fry in. If there is no Teflon coating, then there will be a lot of oil. Think about it further: did you thoroughly wash the frying pan after yesterday's frying? What if the frying pan is not washed at all - they say, there is no point? Then, due to overheating, the multi-day fat residues are sintered into the most dangerous fatty trans-structures, which are one hundred percent known to provoke cancer. In short, this is no time for jokes! Adhere to the following principle: prefer spices, lemon juice, and herbs to heavy fatty sauces. You should ask to bring everything that goes in addition to the main course separately - on your own plate. It will be easier to decide on the amount to eat.

Exotic.

What to choose at a Mexican restaurant? Chicken fajitas are the best: 840 calories and 30% fat. Mexican food is often served wrapped in tortillas, fried Mexican flatbreads often soaked in oil. So, get ready to unwrap them and throw them away. Your order will be brought to you with a side dish. This is usually rice or beans. It is best to abstain from it; According to the Mexican recipe, the rice is pre-soaked in oil and only then stewed in salted chicken broth. One serving of Mexican rice contains 230 calories and 15% fat, while beans contain 380 calories, 39% of which are “fat.” If you are a bean lover, it makes sense to order plain, boiled, rather than fried in fat. And further. Sour cream is often added to Mexican dishes. It is better to ask the waiter in advance to replace it with hot salsa or pico de gallo sauces.

A Chinese restaurant serves rice and steamed vegetables as a side dish - a very good choice for us. As a source of protein, you should order shrimp (460 calories and 10 grams of fat), and if a standard portion of shrimp is divided into two parts and, supplemented with rice, eaten with a friend, then each of you will have 230 calories and only 3-5 grams fat Don't order the kung pao chicken - it has 810 calories and 40 grams of fat (!). About the same amount is in a serving of the famous Chinese sweet and sour pork.

As for French cuisine, it should be avoided. Everything here is insanely fat. French sauces and desserts are especially unacceptable for a bodybuilder.

Mediterranean cuisine also has its downsides. In Greece, they won’t sit at the table unless there are olives and feta cheese on it, and yet both of them are full of fats. So, it’s better to avoid them and choose dolma (a type of cabbage roll made from grape leaves) or pita with chicken. Don't even open the menu on the desserts page. In Greece, dessert (often flour-based) is prepared with a lot of butter.

In an Indian restaurant, you can start by ordering a salad, preferably a vegetable one. Meat, especially lamb, should definitely be preferred to chicken or fish dishes. A bodybuilder will benefit from curry with vegetables (as well as other vegetable dishes that are found in abundance in Indian cuisine).

In an Italian restaurant you should avoid Parmesan cheese, ham or ham and olives. Instead, order vegetable dishes: spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, roasted peppers. I especially recommend the pasta primavera. In any case, ask for wine sauce, not sour cream or cheese sauce.

Time for dessert.

So, the main course is over and it’s time for dessert. Choosing dessert is not an easy task. A small sweet dish can put a fatal end to your healthy diet. Still, a complete embargo on sweets should not be introduced. Here's a reasonable compromise: cool sherbet or low-fat yogurt (the latter has 4 grams of protein and very few calories and fat). If it's not hot outside, you can eat a small bun or piece of pie (233 calories and 7 grams of fat). A light fruit dessert is also a good choice. But if you couldn’t resist and the dessert was too rich, don’t be killed; you'll simply have to reward yourself with extra cardio.

DISH #1: "Bad"

• Cream soup with cheese
• Green salad
• Large fried steak
• baked potato
• Sour cream
• Rice (with oil)
• Two fresh buns
• Butter
• 2250 calories, 143 g protein, 100 g carbohydrates, 116 g fat.

Daily value for a man: calories - 75%; protein - 95%; carbohydrates - 32%; fat - 173%.

Daily value for a woman: calories - 112.5%; protein - 138%; carbohydrates - 33.6%; fat - 263%.

DISH #2: "Good"

• Chicken broth with noodles (or other pasta)
• Green salad with low-calorie dressing
• Medium lean beef steak
• baked potato
• Salsa sauce
• 828 calories, 66 g protein, 79 g carbohydrates, 22 g fat.

Daily value for a man: calories - 27.6%; protein - 44%; carbohydrates - 25%; fat - 33%.

Daily value for a woman: calories - 41%; protein - 64%; carbohydrates - 26%; fat - 50%.

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You can form an opinion about a restaurant by how its menu looks. In a reputable establishment, the menu should be beautifully printed on good and expensive paper. The list of dishes and their descriptions must be given in Russian. A menu in a foreign language, like a menu in two languages, is considered bad manners all over the world. A separate menu can be prepared for foreign guests. By the way, some restaurants practice a double menu: for a man - the usual one, and for the lady he invited - the same, but without prices.

The serving waiter will offer you an aperitif - a drink that will help pass the time while waiting for your order to be completed and whet your appetite. You can choose mineral water, juice with a little sugar or light dry wine.

The waiter will serve the menu first to the lady (or guests), and then to the person paying for the event. The owner of the table makes the order: first he lists the dishes chosen by the guests, and completes the order with his wishes. It is believed that a lady should not contact the waiter herself. She should address all her questions and requests to her companion. However, in our emancipated age, this requirement is not strictly observed.

Dishes must follow in a certain order: first cold and hot appetizers, then soup, then the main course, cheese and finally dessert. Appetizers and the main course are ordered immediately, and dessert is best chosen at the end.

After you have chosen your dishes and refreshments, the waiter will offer you the restaurant's wine list. The choice of alcoholic drinks is entirely the prerogative of the man (if we are talking about a couple), or the inviter. Choosing the right wine is a special art. Reputable restaurants must have a special waiter - sommelier - wine consultant. He will tell you in detail about the benefits of a particular wine, their combinations, and also recommend alcoholic drinks that match the dishes you ordered.

If you have chosen an expensive collection wine, you will first be offered to try it. The waiter who brought the wine will demonstrate the bottle, indicating the name and year. In order to comply with the ritual, the taster should hold the wine up to the light, inhale the aroma and taste it. After tasting the wine, the client can either confirm his order or demand a replacement, but only if the wine does not correspond to the quality and characteristics of its variety. After the tasting, the waiter first fills the lady's (or guests') glass, and then the host's glass. It is the responsibility of the inviter to ensure that the glasses of his guests are not empty.

Toward the end of the meal, you can order a digestif - strong alcoholic drinks (cognac, vodka, etc.).