Steak etiquette
It’s easy to lose control once you’re served a deliciously tender piece of meat. Or even as soon as you walk into a steakhouse. Fortunately, this steak etiquette is just as easy. Follow these do’s & don’ts and you won’t make a single misteak again:
Don’ts:
Ordering well-done
Ultimately, of course, it’s up to you. After all, we’re not paying. But chefs at steakhouses generally recommend ordering your steak medium-rare or medium (with exceptions, of course). Most types of steak are juicier and more flavorful when cooked medium-rare or medium. Still want it well-done? Just tell the restaurant why, and they may have a good suggestion for you.
Using a lot of steak sauce
If the chef had wanted you to drown your steak in steak sauce, the menu would have listed sauce with steak, rather than the other way around. So don’t. Especially not before you’ve even tasted your steak. When it comes to steak sauce: less is more.
Cutting it all at once
Don’t cut your steak into dozens of pieces à la Edward Scissorhands. It’s better to cut your steak one bite at a time. And cut it neatly against the grain.
Do’s:
Send your food back
Telling the waiter that you enjoyed your meal while forcing down your dish. And then leaving six bad Yelp reviews afterward and telling your entire family not to eat there. That’s not okay. Is your food not tasty or not cooked properly? Say so in good time and be as specific as possible. Sending back your half-eaten steak with the comment that it’s ‘just not that tasty’ doesn’t help anyone.
Leaving one bite
If you can spare it, it’s best to leave one bite on your plate. Eating your entire plate (even licking it clean) can send the wrong signals to the kitchen. According to etiquette experts, it indicates that you’re still hungry. In other words: the portion was too small. Unless it really was too little, of course—in that case, it’s best to simply say so.
Well done on following this etiquette lesson.
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