Episode 3: Making a Pizza Reservation: Family Dining & Booking Ahead — 5,000 Core English Words

📖 This lesson is part of the comprehensive series 5,000 Common English Words Through 46 Real-Life Conversations by Echo Stories English.

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Chapter three. Making a reservation.

Ryan's grandmother will be eighty years old on Friday. The whole family wants to eat together, so Ryan has to find a restaurant, and he decides to call Maria's Pizza.

Listen to how he books a table on the phone, asks about the food, and makes sure that nobody in the family is forgotten.

Hostess: Thank you for calling Maria's Pizza. How can I help you?

Ryan: Hi. I'd like to make a reservation for this Friday, please.

Hostess: Sure. For how many people?

Ryan: There will be nine of us. Seven adults, one child, and a baby.

Hostess: Okay. And what time would you like to come in?

Ryan: Is seven o'clock possible?

Hostess: Let me see. Friday is a busy date for us because we have a live band. I can possibly do six thirty or eight. Does either of those suit you?

Ryan: Six thirty is fine. My grandmother doesn't like to eat late anyway.

Hostess: Great. Can I get a name for the reservation?

Ryan: It's Ryan Johnson.

Hostess: And a phone number, in case we need to reach you?

Ryan: Sure. It's 555-0142.

Hostess: Perfect. So that's a table for nine, this Friday at six thirty, under Johnson.

Ryan: Can I ask for a few things?

Hostess: Of course. Anything you need.

Ryan: My grandmother has some difficulty walking, and her hearing is not very good. Is there a quiet table that isn't too far from the door?

Hostess: Yes. We have a big round table at the bottom of the main room, behind a curtain. It's between the kitchen and the bar, so you can see the cook in action, but it's a bit quieter than the rest of the restaurant.

Ryan: That sounds like the best position. And do you have a high chair for the baby?

Hostess: We do. How old is the baby?

Ryan: Ten months. She's a little shy, so a quiet corner is good for her too.

Hostess: No problem. And for the older child, we have a small play area with colorful balls. It's widely known as the best part of our restaurant.

Ryan: He'll love that. One more question. Is there parking?

Hostess: There's a parking lot behind the building, and there are meters on the street. After six, the meters are free.

Ryan: And if my sister brings her dog? She never goes anywhere without her pet.

Hostess: Pets are welcome at the outside tables, but not in the main room. I'm sorry about that.

Ryan: That's okay. I'm sure the dog can wait at home for three hours.

Ryan: Can I also ask about the menu? My grandmother is quite religious, and she doesn't eat meat on Fridays.

Hostess: That's easy. Our vegetable pizza is famous. It has onion, pepper, fresh tomato, and olive oil, and everything comes from the market that morning.

Ryan: Good. The rest of us will eat anything. What do you recommend for a hungry family?

Hostess: Most big tables order three or four large pizzas to share, and some garlic bread to begin with. The beef and onion is popular. A large pizza has eight slices.

Ryan: And for the child? He's five.

Hostess: We have a kids' menu. A small cheese pizza or a chicken sandwich, with apple juice and a cookie. Or fruit jelly, if he prefers.

Ryan: He will want the cookie and the jelly. And is the food very salty? My father has to be careful with salt.

Hostess: Just tell your server, and the cook will go easy on the salt.

Ryan: Thank you. And could we order a bottle of red wine for the table? Something reasonably priced.

Hostess: Sure. Our house red is very nice and not expensive. Or we can bring a pot of tea for your grandmother.

Ryan: Both, please. She was a painter and a writer when she was young, and she still enjoys a small glass of wine.

Hostess: She sounds wonderful. My uncle is the chairman of the local art club. Maybe he knows her.

Ryan: One last thing. We'd like to bring a birthday cake. A chocolate one. Is that all right?

Hostess: Yes, that's fine. If you carry it in at the beginning, we can keep it in our fridge until you're ready.

Ryan: Do you charge for that?

Hostess: No, we don't. We'll even bring it out with candles. I won't disagree if you offer me a piece.

Ryan: That's a deal. Should I use the main entrance?

Hostess: Use the side entry, next to the bar. It's closer to your table, and it's easier for your grandmother.

Ryan: Great. I'll be the one in the red cap, carrying a very big box.

Hostess: I'll look for you. Just so you know, we hold the table for fifteen minutes. If you're going to be late, please give us a call.

Ryan: We won't be late. My family is always early when there is something to eat, and nobody goes home until everybody is full.

Hostess: Then I'll see you Friday. What's the final number again? Nine?

Ryan: Nine. Thank you so much. You've been a good listener.

Hostess: My pleasure. Have a great day, Mr. Johnson.

That is the end of chapter three. Ryan booked a table for nine, asked for a quiet corner, and found a home for a chocolate cake.

Keep these sentences close: "I'd like to make a reservation." "For how many people?" "Can I get a name?"

In the next chapter, Ryan finally agrees to meet Simon's friend. He walks into a restaurant called The Sage Garden, and waits.

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