6. Be intelligently critical. Reichl was specific in her assessments — the corn is "starchy, and it doesn't have much flavor," she told Roberts. Take the time to notice how a dish is composed, what flavors it contains, the freshness of the ingredients, the level of seasoning and the overall balance.

7. Eat until you're full. Many meals are ruined by overeating, Roberts said.

My thought: If you hate to "waste" part of a -meal, ask for a take-home box. It will keep you from getting that uncomfortable, stuffed feeling.

8. Know something about the restaurant before you go. Nowadays it's easier than ever to check Web sites or newspaper reviews.

9. Don't order an item from every column unless you want to. It's too much food, says Reichl.

10. There are really no commandments, only suggestions. "There is no 'should' when it comes to dining out!" wrote Roberts. "This isn't about right or wrong, this isn't a test. This is about pleasure. This is a service industry. Nobody should be intimidated in a restaurant, ever."

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E-mail: vphillips@desnews.com