Handling Mistakes and Surprises

Wrong dish? Say: "Excuse me, I actually ordered the [correct dish]." Too much salt? You can politely say: "This is a bit salty for me. Could the kitchen adjust it?" But be realistic — most dishes cannot be remade.

If you do not understand something on the menu, just ask: "What's in the [dish name]?" or "How is this prepared?" Servers explain dishes dozens of times a day. They will not judge you. In fine dining, do not be afraid to ask about wine pairings either: "What wine goes well with this?"