à la carte

A style of restaurant dining in which each dish is ordered and priced separately from the menu, rather than as part of a fixed-price set meal. The term comes from French, meaning according to the card, and it gives diners complete freedom to compose their own meal across starters, mains, sides, and desserts. For the kitchen it demands greater flexibility, since any combination may be ordered and each dish must be executable independently, which is why à la carte service typically takes longer than set menus. Nutritionally it puts portion and balance decisions entirely in the diner’s hands, for better or worse. The format suits restaurants showcasing individual signature dishes and diners who prefer to build a meal around specific cravings rather than accept a chef’s predetermined sequence.