Now, you’ve successfully freed a bite from your steak. Good for you! So, how do you eat it? Per proper etiquette, you’ll need to set the knife down before taking your bite. The knife should be placed across the rim of the plate with the blade facing inward, typically in the upper 12 to 3 o’clock quadrant of the plate’s edge. Avoid placing a food-residue-covered knife on the table, and don’t set it down on your napkin, which belongs draped across your lap.
Then, transfer the fork back to your dominant hand, and raise the bite to your mouth with the tines of the fork pointing upward and somewhat parallel to the plate. Take care not to grip the fork too hard. It should be held like a pencil, with the handle extending between your index and middle finger and anchored with your thumb. At the end of your meal, you can use your utensils to signal to your server that you’re finished and they can take the plate away. To do this, set your knife and fork (tines down) on the edge of the plate with the handles at 4 o’clock.
Good knife skills set the tone for a formal meal and showcase your sophistication. Plus, familiarizing yourself with steakhouse table manners can make you feel more confident, so you don’t have to think about it and can enjoy yourself more comfortably. (And by the way, you may not want to order your steak “well done,” either.)
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