Task 4. Answer the questions.

1. What are the names for meals in Britain?

2. When do most people have for breakfast?

3. Why is lunch a quick meal in Britain?

4. What do school-children eat at school?

5. What time is dinner eaten?

6. How is Sunday Roast cooked?

Task 5. Translate into English.

Завтракать, обед, ужинать, еда, традиционная еда, здоровая пища, каша, тост с маслом, собираться за столом, отдыхать.

Eating out in London

Task 6. Before you read, discuss the following with your partner.

1. Where do people usually have a meal

- when they are at home?

- when they are at work?  

- when they go out?

2. How often do you eat in a restaurant?

3. When did you last eat out in a restaurant? Was the food good?

4. Was the service good?

5. Did you tip the waiter?

Read and translate the text

Traditionally, England may not be famous for its food. But in the past decade this seems to have changed quite a bit. With the opening of numerous London restaurants that rival many of the top restaurants around the world, London can now rightly consider itself one of the culinary capitals of the world.

Restaurants

London has a wide variety of restaurants, catering to just about every taste and budget. The highest concentration of restaurants can be found around the city center, with Soho containing a sizable collection of tasty eateries.

Good restaurants will usually be very busy on a Friday and Saturday night and booking a table is advised. The most popular time for bookings is between 8 pm and 9 pm. You can book either by visiting the restaurant in person or by telephone. All restaurants in the UK are now a non-smoking area.

For most people, eating out is an informal affair. It’s very rare that a restaurant enforces a dress code, although the pricier the restaurant, the smarter the clientele tend to be. In the top end hotels and restaurants you may find some places that require men to wear a jacket, a tiny number of places also insist on a tie. "Smart casual" is fine everywhere else.

Restaurants are one of the few areas of British life where tipping is standard practice; 10% to 15% is usual. Some restaurants will include a 12.5% service charge on the bill, so you need to check in order not to tip them twice. And always try and tip in cash, as some restaurants don’t pass on credit card tips to their table staff.

Pubs

Most pubs now serve food as it brings more customers through their doors. Pub food varies in quality from fresh home made produce to re-heated, mass produced menus. Decent pub grub is extremely good value for money and some pubs offer such as two courses for £5 or children eat free.

Most pubs serve food at lunchtime, many in the evening and some now stay open all afternoon. Many pubs (especially in quieter areas) will be closed between 3 pm and about 5.30 pm. Closing time will be sometime from 11 pm.

A typical pub menu will offer a variety of choices such as fish and chips, lasagne, curry, chicken pie, salads, pasta, jacket potatoes, steak and grill and sandwiches. Nearly all of these will be accompanied by chips!

Pubs operate in different ways when it comes to ordering but you usually choose a table which will have a number on it. You then decide what you want and at the bar. A waiter will then bring your food to the table.

International and fusion cuisine

Indian cuisine is the most popular alternative to traditional cooking in Britain.

British people love their curries and you will find Indian restaurants up and down the country. Pizza and pasta dishes such as spaghetti bolognese and lasagna are the most popular forms of Italian food. Chinese food is so adapted to Western tastes that Chinese customers may be offered an entirely separate menu. American and Middle Eastern food mostly represented in the take-away sector. French food tends to be considered haute cuisine.

Fast food

Most town high streets will contain at least one fast food giant such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Kentucky fried chicken, Subway and Burger King. Fish and chips, kebabs and burgers from a mobile van are also popular fast food choices.

Words and expressions

to rival - конкурировать, соревноваться

to consider - думать, полагать

to contain - содержать в себе, включать

to book - заказывать; бронировать

to enquire - осведомляться, спрашивать

to tip - давать чаевые

to include - включать в себя, содержать в себе

service charge - доплата за обслуживание (в ресторане)

staff - штат, персонал

decent - приличный, пристойный

grub - разг. еда

value for money - то, что стоит свою цену; стоит уплаченных за него 

денег

cuisine – (национальная) кухня

curry – карри (острая индийская приправа); блюдо, приправленное 

карри (мясное, рыбное, овощное ; подаётся с рисом)

haute cuisine - высокая, изысканная кухня

Task 7. Answer the questions.

1. When is the best time to book a table in a restaurant?

2. Do men always have to wear a tie and a jacket when eating out in London?

3. What amount of money do you have to leave as a tip?

4. Are the pubs open in the afternoon?

5. What kind of food can you order in a pub?

6. What is the best loved international cuisine in Britain?

ORDERING FOOD

Task 8. Look at the menu in one of the restaurants in London.

1. What appetizers and soups do the serve?

2. What can you order as the main course?

3. What are today’s specials?