What are the rules of fine dining service?

Question

What are the rules of fine dining service?

Answer 1

This is a very broad question!  The number one rule is to make guests happy and comfortable.

Reasonable people can disagree on the details, such as picking up a guest's water glass to refill.  (A server should be able to pour without dripping).  

There are various service styles, such as Russian or French service, which have different rules.  It is often impossible to adhere 100% to 'rules' such as pouring from the right, because of seating arrangements and guest behavior.

At a minimum, in a fine dining restaurant. the server should anticipate your needs so that you have everything you need without having to ask,  pace your meal well, serve as unobtrusively as possible, be knowledgeable and be able to answer all your food and wine questions.

Answer 2

Here are a few examples:

1. Generally, tables are covered with tablecloths and napkins are cloth, not paper.

2. Your menu is presented to you by your server, not left on the table by the host/hostess who seats you.

3. When refilling water glasses, a server takes your glass off of the table and refills it a step away from the table, so as not to have the water pitcher drip on the tablecloth.

4. If a bottle of wine is ordered, the server brings the unopened bottle to your table, shows you the label to verify that it is what you requested, uncorks the bottle and leaves the cork in front of the person who they think will be doing the initial tasting (if the taster approves, the server fills the glasses of the diners, filling the taster's glass last. Bottle is then left in a chilling vessel either on or next to the table.

5. Plates from each course are usually removed from the table when the next course is being served.

6. Freshly-cracked pepper is usually offered by the server, as well as freshly-grated cheese (rather than just having shakers on the table).

7. The check is usually presented in a pouch. (If a check is left on a table without a pouch or tray, it implies that payment is made at a cashier's station - you see this in coffee shops/diners.)

Hope this helps.