Bon Appétit's Rules for Going Out to Eat: Where to Sit, What to Order, How to Share

From when to go to where to sit to what to order, these are the rules that (highly opinionated) Bon Appétit staffers insist on when going out to eat

By Belle Cushing

August 19, 2014

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We at Bon Appétit eat at a lot of restaurants. A lot. And none of us more so than resident restaurant-goer Andrew Knowlton (the guy ate three dinners a night in his search for our Hot 10). But if an escape-from-reality evening out is what keeps us going, there are few things worse than spending the money, time, and OpenTable refreshes for a great restaurant meal—and then having it all just flop. You ordered wrong. The wait made everyone cranky. There wasn't enough wine. It's happened to the best of us, but somewhere around the millionth muttering of "Ugh, I coulda made these green beans better at home," we realized a few things about what makes a successful night out. Here, some tips and tricks we've picked up from eating out like it's our job—because, well, it is.

1. When to go: Early...

...and in a Small Group

1a. Eating Alone Is Cool

1b. Make Tuesdays Special

1c. Waiting Is Better With Drinks

2. Where To Sit: Wherever You Want...

2a. ...Although Really, We Recommend the Bar

3. What (Not) To Order: Be Adventurous

3a. Identify the Restaurant's Strengths, and Play to Them

"Always order breakfast food at a diner (unless you're going to order a grilled cheese). If you're going to a restaurant for a second (or third time, etc.), always order something you didn't get last time." —MR

"If you're not at a steakhouse, don't order a steak." —MG

"Never order pasta at a pizza place. The pizza will just be better." —Adam Rapoport, editor in chief

"If the dessert offerings are limited to panna cotta, chocolate pot de crème, and ice cream, do not order dessert." —Julia Kramer, associate restaurant editor

"I always order the chicken dish and the tongue. Roast chicken is a great barometer of how much the chef cares. Chicken went from ultimate homey comfort food—the thing you'd never order—to the simplest expression of a chef's talent. As for the tongue, well, it's an overlooked dish. Sometimes the odder the cut, the more attention the chef gives to it." —AK

3b. Entrées Not Required

3c. Mix It Up—Within Reason

3d. Share Strategically

3e. Pro Tip from a Hot 10 Chef

4. Kids Can Come, Too

4a. Well, Sometimes

5. Be Nice

6. Rules Are for Sticklers
Lest we forget that going out to dinner is supposed to be fun, chef Chris Gould of Hot 10 restaurant Central Provisions, reminds us to take all of the above and throw them out the window. "Go to have fun and be open-minded!"

Oh right. That is what this is all about.

Now, go forth and eat (early, at the bar) at one of our Hot 10 restaurants!