Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Stretch the truth to avoid going out to dinner

84 replies

Ruggerlass · 07/06/2025 15:58

I’m supposed to be meeting friends in a couple of days for dinner. I’ve found out the restaurant that is booked has a hygiene rating of 1. I really don’t want to go. My predicament is should I be honest and say why I don’t want to go and risk upsetting friend who’s booked it or stretch the truth to keep the peace. I should say friend is not particularly fussy where she eats.

OP posts:
Dartmoorcheffy · 07/06/2025 16:06

I would check on trip advisor and look at recent reviews as hygiene ratings are not always updated quickly. If they got a 1 then there were serious issues and the EHO would have been back within 2 weeks to check improvement had been done and if it hadn't then they would have been closed down.

BlueMum16 · 07/06/2025 16:06

Ruggerlass · 07/06/2025 16:04

She can be. Always prefers to go local to her and can go off the deep end

Edited
Show quote history

Suggest somewhere else but explain why. If they still want to go there say you'll see them next time.

Original poster
Ruggerlass · 07/06/2025 16:04

nomas · 07/06/2025 16:01

YANBU to not want to go. You should be 💯 be able to tell her that you don’t fancy eating at a restaurant that’s only 1* rated for food safety.

If she gets upset at such a stupid thing, then I would end the friendship.

Do you generally find her controlling / dominant?

She can be. Always prefers to go local to her and can go off the deep end

OP posts:
chunkybear · 07/06/2025 16:02

Definitely be truthful and suggest somewhere a bit less grim

Sunshineismyfavourite · 07/06/2025 16:02

Yep just tell them. A pp has already given a good suggestion of a message. I wouldn't go either!

nomas · 07/06/2025 16:01

YANBU to not want to go. You should be 💯 be able to tell her that you don’t fancy eating at a restaurant that’s only 1* rated for food safety.

If she gets upset at such a stupid thing, then I would end the friendship.

Do you generally find her controlling / dominant?

Vaxtable · 07/06/2025 16:01

Just be honest I wouldn’t be going to somewhere with a 1 rating

LumpyMashedPotato · 07/06/2025 16:01

I'd just say
"Hey guys! Just noticed the hygiene rating is one?!🤢 You have to be doing some pretty gross stuff to score a 4 so lord knows what they are doing there!?!
Can we go somewhere else? A and B look nice..."

My friends who are chefs will NOT eat anywhere with a 4. 5s only... and that sentiment seems to be pretty universal amongst them
I now only eat in 5s

JLou08 · 07/06/2025 16:00

Be honest! I don't always check hygiene ratings, I'd want the heads up if I was planning on visiting one that was a 1 star rating.

Swipe left for the next trending thread