COURSE vs. PLATE

Good morning. Today we continue with Maria Rosa's request about restaurant English; we are going to learn the correct translation of the Spanish word plato. It can be translated into English as course or plate. Do you know what the difference is? (And when I say course I am not referring to an academic course.) COURSE: one of the parts of a meal. You can use the following words to talk about the different parts of a meal: the first course -- the starter* -- (Example: salad, soup) the second course -- the main course -- (Example: fish, steak) the third course -- dessert** -- (Example: ice cream, cake) A typical meal has three courses (the starter, the main course, dessert), but some meals have just one course and others can have many. *UK English = starter, US English = appetizer **UK English also uses the word pudding PLATE: a flat, round dish that you put food on. Example 1: There were five different courses served at the wedding banquet. By the time dessert was served, I was too full to eat anything else. Example 2: This restaurant offers a two-course lunch special for $5.99. Example 3: We could serve the cheese course on those lovely, antique, blue and white, Danish plates. If you have any questions about today's Daily Vitamin, please don't hesitate to contact us. Have a nice day!