I always use cash when eating out because of stuff like this.
Cash is the best path.
Not me (although I usually have about $500 in my wallet just because I like the feeling).
I pay for pretty much everything with my American Express Card. Restaurants, groceries, gas, drug store, airline, hotel, rental car, internet, computers, you name it! Always paid in full, on the exact due date, using BAC bill-pay (while they last, FDIC ensured). Nice year-end summary, too.
I especially like using the Card abroad. Showing the flag, you know, not that MC and VI and DC were not invented in America, but it helps to have it in the name, if you know what I mean. I'm proud to be the Ugly American.
I've had the card for about three decades, and I've had about three problems. Each was resolved expeditiously with a call to American Express's 800 number.