Possible Clues:

• Gesture theatrically about late running when fare's demanded
• When we sit down to eat polenta, for instance, a herb is called for
• Six, for many
• Opportunity to try 12 across? That should ring a bell!
• *When to eat
• Dining hour
• When to eat mixture of lime and meat
• Opportunity to enjoy 12 across, for example, or Breakfast at Tiffany's, for instance
• Opportunity to eat
• Prepared grain and date for breakfast, perhaps