How long do you wait at a restaurant?

[anat0l]

Say you go to a nice restaurant for a three course meal (appetiser, main and dessert).

How long do you think is reasonable to wait for each course (i.e. between ordering and appetiser, then between the conclusion of eating each course)?

 

[Cynicor]

How nice a restaurant? Seems to increase with the stars, but that may just be my perception. Also related to size of group. Larger the group, longer the wait that is acceptable.
But... basically 30-40 min/course. Longer if you get sorbet, bread between courses etc.
And from ordering to first food out should be shorter, but this can include amuse bouche etc.

 

[Mal]

Depends on restaurant type
, how many are at my table and how busy it is. 20 to 30 mins for the first course is about the most I'm happy to wait. Any more than that and they start pushing their luck... (Usually they are either flat out in the kitchen and would have warned you when ordering or have lost your order).

A friend of mine is very picky and would probably walk out... Or kick up a bit of a fuss.

Between courses hmm. After plates are cleared maybe 10 to 15 mins would start to push my tolerance. The chefs know what you've ordered and should be at least starting to prepare the next course when you've been served the last.

 

[lovestotravel]

Ordering to appetizer 20 minutes as it then gives time to enjoy the wine
Appetizer to main 30 minutes
Main to dessert 40 minutes

 

[UP4014]

15 to 20 min between is way enough, allowing for eating time thats still 1.5 hours.

 

[Happy Trails]

Well, if it's truly a nice restaurant and the service is otherwise attentive, I don't mind a wait between courses and rather enjoy extending the experience. I'm naturally a slow eater.
If it's a mediocre venue then all bets are off.

 

[BadgerBoi]

On the other hand, I've been in restaurants (notably in the US) when I haven't yet finished my entree and they merrily bring the main along and leave it on the table - this has happened more than once, maybe I looked the type who was keen to finish my meal and get back home to watch reruns of Friends or Seinfeld or something.

Never happened to me in Europe.

 

[harvyk]

More than about 15 minutes and I'll start to think things are running slowly.

The worst was once waiting for over an hour, the worst part was the restaurant wasn't even remotely busy. I'd hate to see just how long one would have to wait had they actually had a few customers in there. Didn't leave, but have never gone back.

 

[chemtrails]

Ordering to appetizer 20 minutes as it then gives time to enjoy the wine
Appetizer to Entree 30 minutes
Entree to dessert 40 minutes

Need to be corrected

I'd have to agree with above timings, especially since 40 min after main should include dessert menu perusing. I'd say these are a guide plus or minus some minutes. if it was an hour between finishing entree and main, then you really should be complaining.

 

[smeacs]

This is a much debated topic in my family. However in a group of 8-10 about 15-20 from when the previous meals plates are cleared seems alright. We generally don't drink so I think that makes the experience and "wine" time shorter.