Restaurant Dining Tips and Tricks

That new restaurant you and your friends have been wanting to try, go ahead and make the reservation. Because by the time you're done here, you'll be all set to dine out confidently and independently no matter your level of vision.

It's always a good idea to check out the menu beforehand. Nowadays, you can find most menus on your computer or smartphone. You can also call the restaurant directly to find out about daily specials and let them tell you what's on their menu. Whatever you choose, it's a great confidence booster to be prepared before you even walk in the door.

If you can, try to arrive a little early and have someone in your party or the host or hostess give you the lay of the land. For instance, where's the bathroom? Are there any stairs to deal with? What kind of seating do they have? Where will you be sitting? Things like that. The kitchen is usually the noisiest place in a restaurant so if you can, ask for a table away from there. That'll make it easier to hear your companions and your server. If you have a guide dog, always ask to be seated away from the aisle to protect the dog from being stepped or tripped over. In a crowded restaurant, you may want to have someone in your party or the host or hostess guide you to your table. To learn more about how to do this, contact a Hadley learning expert or check out Hadley's workshop series on guided walking.

And if you're using a support cane, just be sure to walk slowly and take smaller steps as you make your way to the table. Ask to be seated where the light is best for you. If you're concerned about glare, sit with your back to the window or door or have them close the window coverings.

Candles can also cause glare so have them extinguished or removed from the table. Don't hesitate to ask if the restaurant has large print or Braille menus. And bring a small flashlight or lighted magnifier since many restaurants have dim lighting especially in the evening.

If you're dining alone, ask to be seated at the counter or bar. You'll have close access to the bartender who can help with the menu or assist with your order. Servers can be hard to spot in a dark and crowded dining room. Of course, reading is enjoyable to do when you're dining alone. And portable book readers or an audiobook app on your phone won't take up much additional space. Use only one of your earbuds in one ear for audio so you can still hear what's going on around you. For more information on book readers and apps, check out our technology workshops.

When you get to your table, have someone place your hand on the back of the chair you'll be sitting in. Then figure out if the chair is parallel to the end of the table to know which way you're facing. Finally, swipe your palm down the back and the seat to make sure it's clear before you sit. Next, find out your server's name. This will show your server that it's okay to interact with you directly. Then have them describe what's on the table like flowers or candles and have them remove any unnecessary items like extra place settings to avoid overcrowding. Also, ask them to tell you whenever they're placing something on the table, moving anything or taking something away.

Use a hand magnifier to look over the menu if you have one. If instead you're having someone at the table read the menu out loud to you, have them read the different sections first. That way if you have a taste for something or want to go straight to a certain section, you won't have to go through the entire menu to get there. If the server tries to ask someone in your party what you want to order, just speak up and order for yourself. When the food arrives, you can ask the waiter or someone in your party for help identifying what's on your plate. Check out our workshop on this topic for more ideas with this.

Now, it's time to pay for your meal. When the bill arrives, ask for the total amount if you're not able to read it and don't hesitate to ask for help from your friend to write in the tip and total. The print and spacing on those restaurant bills is often so tiny.

And if you have a signature guide, by all means use it to sign. If you don't, just have someone place your credit card right below the signature line so you can sign in the right spot. If you're interested in learning more about money organization, contact a Hadley expert. Last but not least, if you really enjoyed the meal and think you'll want to return to the restaurant in the future, ask for a printed menu to take home with you.

As always, contact a learning expert if you have questions or your own tips to share. Of course, as with anything new, give yourself time, patience, and practice, and you'll get there.