Starters or desserts kind of person?

[WonderGirl1112]

I went out to dinner with DH this evening and he wanted to get a starter. Problem is, I don't like starters particularly and asked him not to as I was starting to get hangry, lol! With starters, I feel like everyone has to get one, otherwise you're waiting ages. So DH and I had a discussion about starters and desserts. I'm definitely more for desserts.
Anyone else - starters or desserts?

Both??

Why, what's wrong with that?!

It definitely causes a ‘divide’ between the etiquette police and the rest of us mere mortals 🤷‍♀️ But according to Debrett’s (and our dear Queen) ‘pudding’ is what you have after your main course. I’m from ‘oop north’ so by some weird fluke of geography (and a Lancastrian nanna 🤣) I say ‘pudding’. And you’re right…it definitely does not sound posh out of my mouth 🤣. There’s nowt posh about me!

I thought "dessert" was very Hyacinth Bouquet? Bit like saying "lavatory".

Absolutely no one I know would say dessert rather than pudding but, thinking about it, I suppose a lot of restaurant menus have the word "desserts" on the menu. Or do they. I rarely look.

I would always say dessert, never pudding. I’m from a wc background. We used to say afters at home, as in “what’s for afters?” We rarely ate out as a child but I have always used dessert in restaurants as an adult.

I thought "dessert" was very Hyacinth Bouquet? Bit like saying "lavatory".

Giving a toss over what people call it is more Hyacinth than anything.

I never eat dessert. I don't think I've ever had one that I've hugely enjoyed in a restaurant.

I'd be fuming if I wasn't allowed to have a starter because someone wanted main course and dessert.

I have been known to have two starters as quite often they are the best bit oif a meal and more interesting than the main course.

I have also once had a starter in place of a dessert.

What menu do you ask for in a restaurant if you are a pudding rather than dessert person?

I don't think I've ever seen or heard it called the pudding menu, it's always dessert.

I would say pudding at home though.

I like both - I'd be cross if someone didn't want me to order a starter because they didn't want one! Either wait or get your own starter if you are getting hungry!

We are all starters people in our household but if I was fancying a pudding I would still encourage DH or the family to have a starter if they wanted.Going out is meant to be a treat.

Depends on what's on the menu. If the desserts are all chocolate cake / pudding / brownie ice cream or stuff with praline & almonds in I'd have to have a starter.

Likewise is the starters are all goat's cheese, avocado, prawns, mussels, squid or spicy stuff I'd have a dessert.

Starter. DH loves dessert, I have a mock tail or coffee while he has dessert.

We have pudding at home but restaurants offer a dessert menu. That said, we very rarely eat in very nice places. Is it called the pudding menu in smart restaurants?

Every day is a school day!

"I'd be fuming if I wasn't allowed to have a starter because someone wanted main course and dessert."

Why? Do you think it's nice for the other person just sitting there watching you eat while they're hungry?
And what is the problem with having it as a side dish. You can still eat it before the main meal, but your dining companions would also have their food.

Dessert but id never ask dh not to get a starter. Just like he'd never ask me not to get a dessert

Dessert. I never have a starter

always a starter and then sometimes a dessert but if I had to pick one it would be a starter.

Definitely starters

In most restaurants the puddings always seem to be a bit of an afterthought and it's very rare that I fancy any of them. They also have a fixation on raspberries which really don't agree with me. Raspberries sneak into all sorts of things nowadays.

Ooh starters for sure. If there is a good choice I might have two and skip the main course. If it's just soup or something I wouldn't bother though.

I’d ask for the pudding menu. Wouldn’t occur to me to call it anything else. Never not been understood.

Back to the point in hand, I’m a bread basket and starter and main course and side dishes and pudding and coffee person… But it does depend on what’s on offer: I will always want a starter if there’s pâté, or smoked salmon, or something excessively pickled, or steak tartar. No interest in goat’s cheese or prawns or tomato and mozzarella gubbins. Pudding menu must have both something rich and chocolatey, but also light like panna cotta. Not bothered by crumbles or treacle tarts or sticky toffee, etc, as I make those at home. This is more thoughts on the topic than I expected to have!

Now thinking of the fantastic prix fixe at Zedel’s which is currently shredded carrots, chopped steak with peppercorn sauce and frites, then salted caramel tart. The Moon Under Water of menus.

Nearly always have or want a starter. Hardly ever bother with dessert.

Usually pud, unless there's an amazing-looking starter. I don't really like that starters take that edge off my hunger which makes the main course taste super-nice.

I have a really sweet tooth but am invariably disappointed by desserts when I'm out.