BEFORE YOU GO

Tips for prom dinner

· Make your reservation as far in advance as possible. May and June are popular months, not only for prom groups, but also for high school and college graduations. Popular time slots -- 7 to 8 p.m. -- go fast. Call early and if you have your heart set on a specific place, be prepared to take an early dinner reservation time.

· Show up on time -- or even slightly early -- and that means the entire group. Guests who straggle in 20 to 30 minutes late ruin the pace of the dinner for their companions and delay the next group's reservation.

· Reconfirm your reservation with the restaurant several days prior to the event, especially if the number in your group has changed. Make sure your limo driver knows exactly how to get to the restaurant. If the driver does get lost and you're going to be late, call the restaurant and let them know so they'll hold your reservation. (Maybe the restaurant can even provide directions.)

· Don't even think about asking for alcohol. (And that includes trying to sneak in a flask and add booze to your Coke, warns one manager.)

· Some restaurants automatically add an 18 percent tip to the tab for parties of six or more. Check your bill carefully to see if a tip has been included in the price. If not, the standard tip is between 15 and 20 percent. (If service has been especially attentive -- or if you've waited tables and know how hard it is -- tip 20 percent.)

· If you're part of a large group, make sure everyone knows how much the dinner will cost so there are no surprises when the bill comes. Also, make sure everyone knows exactly where the restaurant is. Sara Hatchell, 18, of Fairfax remembers how half her group ended up at McCormick & Schmick's, and half went to its sister restaurant, M&S Grill.

· If you're looking for a bargain, consider the pre-theater deals that several restaurants offer. A few examples: Poste Moderne Brasserie, Zola, Bombay Club and Butterfield 9 downtown and 1789 in Georgetown offer a set-price menu from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to cater to the theatergoing crowd. Dinner selections are limited, but the price is lower.

-- Candy Sagon