The Top Ten Ways to Have a Great Restaurant Experience

When to go

1. Avoid the weekend. Friday and Saturday nights are busy nights at good restaurants. Busy nights mean people take shortcuts. Chefs are not going to try new things or double check to make sure something is perfect on Saturday night at 7:30pm - they are just trying to stay on top of the next dish. Restaurant operations is challenging and it's at its most difficult on a Saturday night. If you have the flexibility, wait until mid week when you will get personalized service.

2. Go early. Not only is the restaurant less busy (see #1), but the staff are fresh. Think about your day at work. How much effort are you putting in at 6pm on a Thursday? Get the staff when they are fresh and still excited to be there.

Where to sit

3. Don't say you know the chef. Unless you have his cell phone number, you aren't friends with the chef. Asking for special service because you know his name is not going to help you (it's amazing how many people do it and think they are being sophisticated). Don't bother.

4. Eat at the bar. It sounds crazy if you haven't done it, but if you have then you know why it works so well. You will get great service, you can often see the kitchen staff prepare the food and even talk to the chef (if it's not a Friday or Saturday night)

How to manage your waiter

5. Learn your waiter's name. It's a simple thing, but using your waiter's name will have the instant effect of getting you better service. If you really like your waiter next time you visit ask to be seated in her section. Tell your friends about the waiter and tell them to drop your name when they visit and ask to be served by her. It will make your waiter look great with the management and it will pay off for you with better service.

6. Trust your waiter. If you want great service say "We want to try the best things the restaurant has to offer. Our budget is $xx. Can you make sure this meal is fantastic?" You will not only get great service, but the monkey is now on the waiter's back to make sure the food is great too.

What to order

7. Order the worst thing on the menu. If you don't let your waiter make the choice, look down the menu for the thing that looks terrible. There is a reason it's on the menu - it's probably great. The 'stuffed chicken breast' is there because someone will always want a stuffed chicken breast, but the 'angel fish with dried anchovies' is only there because the chef has found a way to make it spectacular.

8. Don't make changes. If you are at a good restaurant there is a reason why a dish is prepared a specific way. If you hate olives and there is a dish with olives, either try it with olives or find something else. You aren't going to be able to create a dish better than the chef has already put together.

How to finish up

9. Don't clean up after yourself. Your waiter knows how to remove dishes. If you stack them yourself you will likely not do it the way he would. Relax and enjoy the conversation with your friends.

10. Tip. This can not be stated strongly enough. If you can't afford the tip you should not be eating at the restaurant. It's fine to take your time at the end of a meal and relax and enjoy the atmosphere and conversation - but if you do, increase your tip. You are creating more work for your server, and more importantly you are filling a table where she could be serving another guest. Finally, be generous, but read the fine print. If the restaurant has already added a tip - that is their prerogative, but you are under no obligation then to add anything extra - and definitely not another 20%!