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Original poster

So do others thoroughly check out the menu before going to a new restaurant

104 replies

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 12/02/2022 19:46

Or are you like my insane friend who will look at the menu tomorrow when we go for brunch and decide in the moment HmmWink

Also, how many mains is too many for brunch because I can’t decide between 3 full meals off the menu Grin

OP posts:
Anystarinthesky · 12/02/2022 20:38

It's part of the fun looking at the menu beforehand and choosing what to have!

Lindy2 · 12/02/2022 20:40

That's a lovely menu - no wonder you can't decide.

Of your 3 choices I'd go for Shakshuka. I've not tried that before (and I had to Google what it is) but it sounds good.

ButtockUp · 12/02/2022 20:40

I always check beforehand.
I like to know whether I'll enjoy the food or not.

Too many restaurants produce the same old shite and I like trying new things.
Plus, there are some things that I can't or won't eat.
There's nothing worse than just turning up and finding that you can barely eat anything.

Nadjahomesoil · 12/02/2022 20:44

I always look beforehand. I'm not a fussy eater, but i have autism and feel more comfortable knowing beforehand so I have a picture of what it's going to be. I also look for their Instagram so I can see the portion types and how it's served. And if possible the layout of the restaurant Confused

Just makes me more comfortable. Better than my previous anxiety and agoraphobia.

amusedbush · 12/02/2022 20:44

I have a lot of sensory issues around food (autism) and an ever-growing list of things I won't eat. I have to look beforehand to make sure there's something I like because I'm not someone who can just order something else and pick around it. Or, even worse, order something when I'm not sure what it is.

Thankfully my friends and family are very understanding. Before covid, my best friend and I would meet at McDonald's for dinner every Thursday (and sit at the same table every single week) because we're both ND and enjoy comfort and routine Grin

CrinklyCraggy · 12/02/2022 20:47

No. Practically every night out is about the people not the food. There will always be something I can eat.

PrincessPaws · 12/02/2022 20:49

My husband will dedicate some time to revising the menu and making his choices in advance. He hates that I'll look when we sit down and then have 2 or 3 options and will randomly pick one when asked for my order (his head goes 🤯)

DelurkingAJ · 12/02/2022 20:49

I am clearly utter mad because I love arriving at a restaurant and then considering what I fancy that day.

My go to tie breaker is ‘what will DH not enjoy?’ On the basis that I can’t have that at home (the answer is often muscles).

FluffyFlower · 12/02/2022 20:49

I glance to check what is on the menu and the level of prices, just to have an idea of both, But I don't decide in advance what I will order, and like it when there is a daily special or slight changes to the menu I have scanned!

duvetdayforeveryone · 12/02/2022 20:50

No need to check the menu. I always go to the same chains.

DelurkingAJ · 12/02/2022 20:50

Or mussels even! Muscles would be odd…

pointythings · 12/02/2022 20:51

I always look because one of my DDs is vegetarian and the other has to eat gluten free. So we need options that work for all of us.

megletthesecond · 12/02/2022 20:55

Always check. I need veggie gluten free food.

QOD · 12/02/2022 20:59

I actually go out to see friends. One of our group obsesses about the menu before and drives us nuts. There’s always something you’d like

swapsicles · 12/02/2022 21:09

I can never decide, I wait til I'm asked for my order then hurriedly blurt out of of my 3 choices!
Usually check the menu beforehand, just to see prices and type of food, especially the desert menu as milk and cashews tend not to agree with me so need to know if there's options for me otherwise I might have a large main for example

TravelDreamLife · 12/02/2022 21:25

If it's a large family/friend occasion we sneakily check the menu & decide on what to have beforehand so we can order quickly & not be ordering last. Had plenty of times where we've been sitting, starving, while everyone else who ordered before us eats because of poor group meal management. (DH will faff around & we'll be last if he's not pre-organised.)

Much rather be eating and expressing embarrassment at someone else waiting instead of myself!

AdaColeman · 12/02/2022 21:29

I don’t read the menu before hand, there will always be something I’ll enjoy, I’ll often have the plat du jour. Or I’ll choose something that shows off the chef’s skill, or the house speciality which should always be done well.

Landlordworries · 12/02/2022 21:29

I always check.

1)I'm a vegetarian and if the (one) option is mushroom bastarding risotto I know the place went to the dogs a long time ago, and I wouldn't want to take anyone else there either Grin

  1. Because I like reading menus

  2. Because I don't like 'wasting' time with my friends/family reading over and over while actually there (I am quite indecisive if there is a good choice)

4)To check if they have decent wine :)

Chelsea26 · 12/02/2022 21:30

Oh OP - I went to that restaurant recently and we had pulled pork and shakshuka (and sweet corn fritters for the table Wink) and it was all amazing! Enjoy! Such a lovely city!

AgeingDoc · 12/02/2022 21:32

One of my children has allergies, so if they're going to be with me I look in advance, but if not, I don't bother. I have never found anywhere where there wasn't something on the menu I like, and I'm not someone who takes a long time to decide.

ISeeTheLight · 12/02/2022 21:33

We always check beforehand. DD has a dairy allergy and I need to know they'll do something suitable that she'll actually eat.

Chewbecca · 12/02/2022 21:33

I might look in advance but it definitely isn’t a must do, I want to decide at the time depending on how I feel, plus many only have a sample menu on line.

What time are you eating tomorrow? Some are more breakfast-y than others.
Will you have a hangover?

bumblingbovine49 · 12/02/2022 21:36

I do sometimes have a look just to see the sorts of food on offer but not always and I never decide what I am going to eat until I am there

Then again I am quite spontaneous in what I will eat. Years ago on a holiday on Germany I just used to point at random things on a menu as I couldn't read German ( in the days before Google translate) and never had anything I couldn't eat

Original poster
IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 12/02/2022 22:01

@Chelsea26

Oh OP - I went to that restaurant recently and we had pulled pork and shakshuka (and sweet corn fritters for the table Wink) and it was all amazing! Enjoy! Such a lovely city!
Oh I’m so pleased to hear it’s so good! I’ve lived here over a year and never got around to trying it before now!
OP posts:
Original poster
IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 12/02/2022 22:01

@Chewbecca

I might look in advance but it definitely isn’t a must do, I want to decide at the time depending on how I feel, plus many only have a sample menu on line.

What time are you eating tomorrow? Some are more breakfast-y than others.
Will you have a hangover?

11am and sadly no hangover Grin
OP posts: