Livin' the Aussie Life - Vol 1 - "Dining Out"

*Disclaimer: these posts are intended to give my American friends a look at what it is like to be an American living in Australia. No offense intended! :-)

I've decided to try and start a weekly posting about the differences between life in the USA and life here in Oz. Now that we have been here a couple of months and are past the "adjusting" period, I feel pretty safe in saying that life here is not terribly different than in the States, but there are some very obvious differences. For example, if you plan on having dinner out in Australia there are a few things to remember...

1) It is best to have a booking. Back in the States, if you wanted to go to Olive Garden (who does not even take reservations) you just go, put your name on the list, and wait until they call your name (I miss the buzzers!). Not so here. There are a TON of places to find everything from seafood to red meat, from Indian and Thai to Ethiopian and Italian. (What is Ethiopian food anyway? Do they just bring an empty plate and a bill?) The difference is most are very small and have limited seating, if any. Just popping in for a bite to eat is almost unheard of here. You will be asked if you have a booking (Aussie term for reservation) and generally frowned upon if you do not. Most places will still try and find a place to accommodate you, but not always.

2) Plan to eat when Aussies eat. I can't tell you the number of times we have been travelling and hunger in the middle of the afternoon to find nothing is open except maybe a McDonalds if you are lucky enough to find one. Restaurants are open from about 10-2 for lunch and then 6-whenever for dinner. Do not hope to find something to eat between 2 and 6. Just don't.

3) Plan to eat on Aussie time. When you do get a table, plan to be there a while. This is the most startling difference between the States and Australia. In the States the idea is "get 'em in, get 'em fed, get 'em out" - but here it is more "get 'em in and expect them to be a while". You will have plenty of time to peruse the menu, even if you've read the posted menu outside and know what you want. Servers here are payed much better than in the States and are not as reliant on tips to make a living, hence no hurry to get you out and another table in. Plus, they really push desserts on you. If you are in a hurry, be sure to tell the server you do not want dessert and to ask for the bill. Some places it seems like they won't bring the check until you ask for it. This slower experience is great if you are enjoying the company and the atmosphere - you don't have pressure to get out, but if you just want food and to be on your way you might as well get take away (take out, carry out, whatever you call it at home - its "Take Away" here).

4) Ask for tap water for the table. There are no free refills in the land of Oz so cherish that Coke/Sprite/whatever. And don't expect the gigantic glasses you have in America. No way. Sixteen ounce glass, tops. If you start drinking the Coke before the food comes, you will be asking for water to go with your food. If you wait, the ice in the Coke has made it flat. Either way, you end up asking for water. Most places have these wonderful bottles full of nice delicious H2O and they are happy to bring them. The only thing that is free so drink all you want. (Sidenote: The water is is wonderful. Don't buy bottled water, just drink the tap.)

5) Refuse the dessert menu unless you plan on ordering. This ties back into eating on the Aussie schedule, but if they bring a dessert menu they will give you plenty of time to look it over. Then they usually are not too happy if you don't order anything. Just get the check. If, however, you are interested in dessert, it has been wonderful in the vast majority of the places we have tried. (Insert no "Pizza Hut" jokes here...)

6) Tipping... I don't even know where to start. It is like learning a new language. Because servers are paid well, most everyone we have met tips very little - that is expected. Maybe a couple of coins on the table if the service and food we excellent (remembering Oz has $1 and $2 coins). Nowhere near the 15%-20% recommended in the States. Since I, and to an only slightly lesser extent Clarice, are on the upper end of the tipping scale, this adjustment has been really hard. When we went to a nice steakhouse the other night, I'm sure the server was pleasantly surprised when he went to clear the table.

That's about it. Prices are a little higher than at home, but that is true of just about everything. There is a take away place on just about every corner, and within walking distance I can find something to fit anyone's tastes and desires. Come, enjoy, and experience the wonders that are dining out in Australia. Just don't go with Clarice or you'll find the closest wood-fired pizza place! :-)

Jon