Binding Agents: A Cook/Book Shop
908 Christian StreetWant to dine like a pro? Of course you do! Join us at Binding Agents to celebrate the release of The New Rules of Dining Out. You'll get the inside scoop on the inner workings of restaurants and how to get what you want out of any dining situation from author Adam Reiner, a 20+ year restaurant veteran and James Beard Award-winning journalist, in conversation with local professional-chef-turned-professional-diner Kiki Aranita.
Guests may choose a ticket with or without a copy of the book; prices are inclusive of fees. Entrance to the shop requires one step up. Please contact us at hello@bindingagentsphilly.com with any questions or accessibility needs; we'd be happy to help.
About the Book
The New Rules of Dining Out is the quintessential resource for anyone, from the casual diner to the ardent foodie, who wants to dine like a pro. Sharing colorful anecdotes from his 20-plus years of experience working in restaurants that range from the modest to the Michelin-starred, Adam Reiner gives readers the inside track on how to get what they want in any dining situation.
In discussing the cultural significance of dining out in America, Reiner traces the earliest iterations of the American restaurant to the nineteenth century. Through various scenarios from his own experiences as a tenured waiter, he sheds light on the behind-the-scenes inner workings of a busy restaurant. The book carefully dissects common interactions at the table with step-by-step advice on how to solicit recommendations from your server, how to tactfully send your food back, how to ask for help choosing wine without feeling intimidated, how to tip like a pro, and more.
The New Rules of Dining Out invites food lovers to think more deeply about the complex systems that go into forming any restaurant, and about how their language and demeanor affect the service they receive. Better communication builds trust between guests and staff, which in turn leads to more joyful and satisfying dining experiences. At a time when the restaurant industry faces myriad existential challenges, it’s more important than ever for diners to approach restaurants with compassion and enthusiasm. Reiner emphasizes the fact that hospitality is a two-way street that improves when customers become more invested in the success of their own meals.
The New Rules of Dining Out encourages diners to lean forward, instead of back—to become more active participants in their restaurant experiences. This first-of-its-kind “Diner’s Bible” will completely change how readers think about food, the art of dining, and their own role as restaurant guests.
About Adam Reiner
Adam Reiner is a James Beard Award–winning journalist who worked for more than two decades in New York City’s most popular restaurants, including Babbo, Carbone, and The Grill. His writing has appeared in Eater, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and New York Magazine, among other publications.
About Kiki Aranita
Kiki Aranita spent seven years as co-chef and owner of Poi Dog, a restaurant and catering company that served Hawaii’s local food. She closed its Center City Philadelphia location in July 2020 but has kept the brand alive in large-scale pop ups and retail sauces. Her writing has appeared in San Pellegrino’s Fine Dining Lovers, Food & Wine Magazine, EatingWell and NY Mag's The Strategist, and is currently a food writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer. She is the 2023 winner of the M.F.K. Fisher Prize (Les Dames d’Escoffier Intl) for food writing, a 2024 IACP winner, and a James Beard Award nominee.
Wed, Oct 8, 2025 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Binding Agents: A Cook/Book Shop
908 Christian Street
Binding Agents is Philly's bookshop for cooks and eaters. Located in South Philly’s culinary epicenter, the 9th Street Italian Market, we’re your go-to source for new cookbooks and food-focused reads, plus gifts and goods for making, serving and enjoying. We’re independent, women-owned, fun & funky. Learn more at bindingagentsphilly.com.
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