foodways, cooking, & cocktails

The New Rules of Dining Out

An Insider's Guide to Enjoying Restaurants

by Adam Reiner

184 Pages / 5.50 × 8.50 × 0.56 in

Hardcover

9780807185049

Published: 2025-09-19

$29.95

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eBook

9780807185599

Published: 2025-09-19

(Requires the Leaf e-Reader app)

$19.95

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Description
Authors
Praise
Press Kit

The New Rules of Dining Out is the quintessential resource for anyone, from the casual diner to the ardent foodie, who wants to dine like a pro. Sharing colorful anecdotes from his 20-plus years of experience working in restaurants that range from the modest to the Michelin-starred, Adam Reiner gives readers the inside track on how to get what they want in any dining situation.

In discussing the cultural significance of dining out in America, Reiner traces the earliest iterations of the American restaurant to the nineteenth century. Through various scenarios from his own experiences as a tenured waiter, he sheds light on the behind-the-scenes inner workings of a busy restaurant. The book carefully dissects common interactions at the table with step-by-step advice on how to solicit recommendations from your server, how to tactfully send your food back, how to ask for help choosing wine without feeling intimidated, how to tip like a pro, and more.

The New Rules of Dining Out invites food lovers to think more deeply about the complex systems that go into forming any restaurant, and about how their language and demeanor affect the service they receive. Better communication builds trust between guests and staff, which in turn leads to more joyful and satisfying dining experiences. At a time when the restaurant industry faces myriad existential challenges, it’s more important than ever for diners to approach restaurants with compassion and enthusiasm. Reiner emphasizes the fact that hospitality is a two-way street that improves when customers become more invested in the success of their own meals.

The New Rules of Dining Out encourages diners to lean forward, instead of back—to become more active participants in their restaurant experiences. This first-of-its-kind “Diner’s Bible” will completely change how readers think about food, the art of dining, and their own role as restaurant guests.

“Adam Reiner brings firsthand experience and insightful conversation on the current state of our restaurant industry, the powerful yet fragile relationship with consumers, and what the future can and should hold for the continued survival and success of our sector. The New Rules of Dining Out covers everything from the evolution of restaurant etiquette to how new platforms of communication have impacted the hospitality world and shape all sides of the experience, from chef to server to diner. This book gives a much-needed perspective: a raw look at the inner workings of what makes for a great dining experience, and the human beings behind the herculean efforts of every meal service.” ~Lee Anne Wong, chef and author of Dumplings All Day Wong: A Cookbook of Asian Delights from a Top Chef

“You might think, ‘I already know how to dine out in a restaurant. I don’t need a user’s manual!’ But as Adam Reiner persuasively argues in this witty and perceptive book, you might just be doing it wrong, and Lord knows we could all benefit from a refresher course. In a perfect world, everyone would absorb Reiner’s spot-on etiquette guidelines, and the experience of dining out would improve for everyone involved—servers, chefs, and customers alike. Pro tip: politeness pays off.” ~Jeff Gordinier, Esquire contributing editor and author of Hungry: Eating, Road-Tripping, and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World

“After three decades in the hospitality business, I’ve learned that if you want people to work for you (instead of just with you), you have to show them you’re on their side by collaborating to achieve their goals with yours. That’s the thrust of this book, which functions as a user’s guide for restaurants. If you’re ready to move beyond transactional encounters in these spaces, Adam Reiner shares insider tips for how to build a relationship with the people who animate them (the staff). Beyond new rules for dining, there are so many sage insights that can be extrapolated to navigate a chaotic world with grace, diplomacy, and care.” ~Jim Meehan, author of Meehan’s Bartender Manual and The PDT Cocktail Book