Steakhouses are synonymous with fine dining. Whether you’re dining out for a special occasion or just looking for a delicious meal, it’s important to know the proper etiquette for enjoying a steakhouse meal. Here are some tips for fine dining etiquette at a steakhouse. 

Fine Dining Etiquette: Seven Steakhouse Tips

1: Dress Appropriately

When dining at a fine restaurant like DC STEAKHOUSE, it’s important to dress appropriately. As a rule of thumb, you should always dress to impress. Business casual is typically the best choice—you should wear a dress or a suit, and avoid baggy clothes, exposed undergarments, gym wear, flip-flops, baseball caps, etc. Western wear, such as embroidered shirts and cowboy hats is always appropriate at a steakhouse.  

2: Make Reservations

Steakhouses are popular dining destinations, especially on weekends and holidays, so don’t expect to be able to just walk in and get a table. It’s always best to make reservations in advance to ensure you’ll be seated promptly upon arrival. Booking reservations also allows the restaurant to prepare for your visit and provide the best experience possible. 

3: Observe Table Manners

Proper table manners are a must for fine dining. Remember to:

• Use the appropriate utensils for each course

• Always wait for everyone to be served before beginning to eat

• Avoid putting your elbows on the table

• Keep your napkin on your lap

• Never talk with your mouth full

4: Know How to Order Your Steak

When you order any cut of beef at a steakhouse, your server will ask how you’d like it cooked. Your choices are: 

• Rare (best for leaner steaks like top sirloin)

• Medium rare (ideal for fattier steaks such as ribeye)

• Medium (Porterhouse tastes great either medium or medium-well)

• Medium-well (the thick NY strip stands up well to this degree of doneness)

• Well-done (Not recommended—DC STEAKHOUSE cannot be responsible for the outcome of well-done steaks)

5: Cut Your Steak Properly

Did you know there’s actually a wrong way to cut a steak? You should never cut the steak up all at once, because the slices will cool too quickly and all the juices will run out. If you want to fully enjoy the flavor of your steak, the proper etiquette is to cut one bite at a time.

6: Savor the Flavor of Your Steak

A lot of care and skill goes into cooking the perfect steak at DC STEAKHOUSE, so remember to savor every bite of its juicy flavor. We recommend eating a steak without adding additional sauce, so you can fully enjoy the texture and flavor of the meat. At DC STEAKHOUSE, we only serve Certified Angus Beef ®, with a high amount of marbling that results in a delicious, mouth-watering steak every time. 

7: Don’t Chew on the Bone

This may seem obvious, but it’s important to avoid chewing on the bone of a bone-in steak. It can be tempting to try to get every last ounce of flavor, but chewing on the bone is inappropriate at a fine dining restaurant, because that would mean eating with your fingers.

Fine Dining Steakhouse in Downtown Chandler

If you follow these tips for fine dining etiquette, you’ll be sure to have a memorable and enjoyable experience the next time you eat out. At DC STEAKHOUSE, we serve a wide range of delicious steak cuts that are always cooked to perfection. 

The next time you’re in the mood for a delicious steak and fine dining experience in Downtown Chandler, come on down to DC Steakhouse. Just book a table at dcsteakhouse.com or call us at 480-899-4400 to make a reservation. 

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (4/17/2023). Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels