There are two options in regards to food ordering in fine restaurants. The à la carte and the degustation menu (which often comes in the short and long edition).
A balanced degustation menu, has to tell a story. This story has a beginning, a middle and an end. The beginning usually includes the teasing Amuse Bouche which are fine little samplers of what the kitchen has to offer.
If you decide to choose the à la carte menu, be careful not to overdo it with heavy items or, contrary, order everything light, because your meal will lack balance. For instance do try a vegetable for starter but go for meat of fish for mains. Don't juggle between categories and items because you may end up with a disaster. And do listen to the waiter's recommendation if they tell you that you made a mistake.
Also keep in mind that in fine restaurants the à la carte menu usually ends up costing you more than the degustation menu, so make some quick calculations before you place your order.