Recommending Food/Restaurants

Colleagues share recommendations for new restaurants, dishes, or discuss popular lunch spots and food trends.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

Sarah (Female)

Hey Michael, I'm looking for a new lunch spot around here. Do you have any recommendations?

Michael (Male)

Definitely! Have you tried 'The Daily Grill' down on Main Street? Their pasta dishes are amazing.

Sarah (Female)

Oh, I've heard of that one, but I haven't been. What kind of pasta do you usually get?

Michael (Male)

I'm a big fan of their Pesto Chicken Pasta. It's got a really fresh taste. Lisa, you like pasta too, right?

Lisa (Female)

Absolutely! The Daily Grill is good. But if you're feeling adventurous and want something quick and healthy, there's a new poke bowl place called 'Bowlful' on Elm Street. Their spicy tuna bowl is fantastic.

Sarah (Female)

Ooh, poke sounds interesting! I've been meaning to try a good poke place. Is it usually busy there?

Lisa (Female)

It can get a bit crowded between 12:30 and 1:00 PM, but the line moves pretty fast. You can also order ahead online to save time.

Michael (Male)

That's a good tip, Lisa. I might have to try that one myself next week.

Sarah (Female)

Thanks for the recommendations, guys! I've got two great options to check out now. Maybe I'll try Bowlful tomorrow.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

recommendations

Suggestions for something good, like places or food. Use it when asking for advice, e.g., 'Do you have any recommendations for lunch?'

pasta

Italian food made from dough, like noodles. Common in casual talks about meals, e.g., 'I love pasta dishes.'

amazing

Very good or impressive. Use it to praise food or experiences positively, e.g., 'The food is amazing.'

adventurous

Willing to try new or unusual things. In food contexts, it means open to different cuisines, e.g., 'If you're feeling adventurous, try this.'

poke bowl

A Hawaiian dish with raw fish, rice, and vegetables. Popular for healthy, quick lunches; say 'poke' like 'po-kay.'

crowded

Full of people, making it busy. Use when describing popular spots, e.g., 'The restaurant gets crowded at lunch.'

order ahead

To place an order in advance, often online. Helpful for saving time at busy places, e.g., 'You can order ahead to avoid the line.'

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Do you have any recommendations?

A polite way to ask for suggestions. Useful for starting conversations about food or places; it's a question form with 'any' for general advice.

Have you tried 'The Daily Grill'?

Inquires if someone has experienced a place. Great for recommending; uses present perfect 'have tried' to talk about past experiences up to now.

I'm a big fan of their Pesto Chicken Pasta.

Expresses strong liking for something specific. 'Big fan' is an idiomatic way to show preference; useful in casual chats to share favorites.

If you're feeling adventurous and want something quick and healthy...

Suggests an option for trying new things. Conditional 'if' clause; practical for giving alternatives based on mood or needs.

It can get a bit crowded between 12:30 and 1:00 PM.

Describes when a place is busy. 'Can get' shows possibility; useful for warning about timing, with 'a bit' to soften the statement.

You can also order ahead online to save time.

Gives a helpful tip. 'Can also' adds an option; modal 'can' for ability, and infinitive 'to save' for purpose—common in advice-giving.

Thanks for the recommendations, guys!

Shows gratitude for suggestions. 'Guys' is casual for friends/colleagues; ending conversations positively, useful in group talks.