PLANNING AND ARRIVING
PLANNING THE BUSINESS LUNCH
The following dining etiquette tips will make preparing to host a business lunch a fairly simple endeavor.
If possible, find out whether your guest(s) likes or dislikes certain cuisine. Ask when extending the invitation or call an assistant to get the answer. You could also give your guest a choice of two or three restaurants. If hosting a group, choose a restaurant with a diverse menu.
Invite well in advance. You or your assistant should arrange any business meal at least a week in advance.
Choose a restaurant you know. If possible, pick one restaurant and frequent it. This will pay special rewards in terms of your being recognized when you walk in, and it will probably result in better service. You will have to cultivate (and tip) the headwaiter to make yourself known. Also keep in mind that if anyone is going to travel fairly far to reach the restaurant, it should be you and not your guest.
Local custom will generally dictate the time of the lunch. In large cities, lunches might be planned at 1 P.M.; in small communities, 12 noon might be more common.