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Original poster

(lighthearted) If you really wanted to go a particular restaurant but nobody would go with you...

39 replies

SpikyCoconut · 23/01/2023 22:24

What would you do?

A)Go by yourself
B)Persuade someone to go with you who you'd normally eat out with but who doesn't like the sound of it
C) Grab a randomer/acquaintance and say you'll pay for them if they come ....

I really want to go to Corarima. It's not too far from where I live although not local. I'd ideally want to go for my birthday or some other occasion but nobody I know fancies it! They all say it looks overpriced and/or don't like the look of its menu.

It has fantastic reviews on tripadvisor and I just really love that sort of food.

Shall I just take myself off on a 'me' date? Ask EVERYONE I know until someone says yes?!

OP posts:
Hoolihan · 23/01/2023 22:29

If you want to go for your birthday surely you get to choose and your guests have to put up with it?! If it was me I would just go ahead and book it.

If not that, I would far rather go alone than with someone random that I don't really know. I've been out for dinner alone this evening, was fab!

Rogue1001MNer · 23/01/2023 22:29

Just googled, OP.

I don't live anywhere near you, but it sounds yum.

Definitely find someone to enjoy it with you

TangledWebOfDeception · 23/01/2023 22:30

I’d go by myself. I’m quite happy to eat out alone.

But also if it’s your birthday you get to choose!

Rosalindisafuckingnightmare · 23/01/2023 22:35

Either go by myself or drag a good friend, possibly offering to pay.

A randomer could be fun but could be a nightmare! At least you know what kind of company you’ll be if you go yourself!

It would be lovely though if you find someone near you via this thread who’d also love to go, you met, went Dutch and became really good friends!

Luredbyapomegranate · 23/01/2023 22:45

Take yourself.

Dress up nicely, take a new book and a magazine and cultivate a woman of mystery air. Take your time and enjoy it. There is nothing worse than doing something like that with someone who doesn’t want to spend the money - and little nicer IMO than a posh lunch on your own .

PermanentTemporary · 23/01/2023 22:48

I'm sad nobody will go with you! I love that sort of food too.

I would definitely go by myself, and have done so.

Mercedesbenz2022 · 23/01/2023 22:49

Your birthday , your choice
otherwise go on your own , own it and have a lovely meal

Original poster
SpikyCoconut · 23/01/2023 22:50

@Hoolihan I could do that. I just think, well some of my relatives are all about the meat, and would really not like it. Is that fair? My Mum thinks it is really overpriced (and she's happy to pay a lot for meals out and is well off-I think again, It's about lack of meat)! My partner is a real fuss pot and just would probably not eat ANYTHING there!

@Rogue1001MNer It does doesn't it! It's also meant to be really excellent service.

@Rosalindisafuckingnightmare that would be fab if someone wanted to do that!
I am usually happy to do anything alone-I go most places alone! Pubs, gyms, cinema, theatre.. But eating out alone is just a little out of my comfort zone-well perhaps not in an 'anonymous' type situation like a pub lunch during work hours or something but to somewhere like this (if you read the tripadvisor reviews as to what they're like) it seems a bit wrong!

OP posts:
Krakenes · 23/01/2023 22:51

Sorry, but your friends sound a bit crap!! I’d go anywhere for a friend’s birthday. I’ve got a friend who is an extremely fussy eater and even she’ll come along to any restaurant (even if she has to ask for a plain salad and some chips)!

dubyalass · 23/01/2023 22:58

If it were anywhere near me I'd come with you - I love Eritrean food! Sadly I'm the other end of the country and we have no Eritrean restaurants. I'd go alone, take a book or a magazine and have a lovely lingering lunch.

Whataretheodds · 23/01/2023 22:58

Have done A) and didn't regret it for a moment. Had a great table for people - watching, took a book but didn't need it.

Original poster
SpikyCoconut · 23/01/2023 23:00

Thanks all- I think I am going to go alone at the next opportunity!

I know what you mean, I'd go anywhere for a friend too-I'm a vegetarian and have gone to steakhouses before, even if I do have to order a bowl of chips, It's their occasion their choice IMO.

OP posts:
MaggieFS · 23/01/2023 23:10

I'd go alone. I've done it plenty enough time when away on work trips, or even other countries when I was back packing.

I always have a good book with me and sit looking out so I can people watch.

America12 · 23/01/2023 23:20

Bit far for me. I'd go on my own , could you do a lunchtime?

YesILikeItToo · 23/01/2023 23:32

In my experience, a good restaurant will be pleased to see you. If I’m alone, I take care to order generously and I’m always well looked after. Going out to eat what I want to try follows some of the best advice I read one of those ‘homily a day’ tear off calendars which said - the right person you’ve been saving the special recipe for is, in fact, yourself.

AtleastitsnotMonday · 24/01/2023 13:10

I'd go for option D.
D) Go to second choice of restaurant with friends and family to celebrate and order take away from Corarima for yourself then the day before or after.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 24/01/2023 13:16

I'd say "It's my birthday so my choice, and I want to go to Corarima". It looks delicious and it's not expensive - I wouldn't pressure people to go anywhere unaffordable.

I now want to go there too.

VenusClapTrap · 24/01/2023 13:17

A friend of mine takes herself off to Michelin starred restaurants by herself all the time. She gave up trying to persuade people a long time ago, and has now got so into the habit and enjoys it so much that she continues to do so even though she now has a willing boyfriend who likes fancy food too. She takes a good book and people watches.

WedonttalkaboutMaureen · 24/01/2023 13:18

I've eaten out on my own many times, and quite often quite posh places (when my work paid for it!) and I would do so again with no hesitation, particularly if it was somewhere I was really keen to try.

It's bliss. I've always been well looked after and enjoyed the peace and quiet to really savour the food.

Go OP!

FetchezLaVache · 24/01/2023 13:20

I'm not too far from you, OP - I will happily go with you if you can wait a couple of months!

TangledWebOfDeception · 24/01/2023 13:21

Further to my previous comment, I love the sound of that place and food looks gorgeous. It's right up my street! What a shame you can't get others in your circle to broaden their horizons a bit (and I'm a committed meat eater; I can still appreciate fantastic food that happens to be vegan/vegetarian!).

Definitely go by yourself as a Birthday treat!

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 24/01/2023 13:22

dubyalass · 23/01/2023 22:58

If it were anywhere near me I'd come with you - I love Eritrean food! Sadly I'm the other end of the country and we have no Eritrean restaurants. I'd go alone, take a book or a magazine and have a lovely lingering lunch.

I was just looking at the menu and thinking what a shame that's not in London, I'd be there with OP in a jiffy.

OP - it's your birthday. As @dubyalass said, go along spoil yourself. I bet if you tell them it's your b'day they'll spoil you, as well.

winterbegone · 24/01/2023 13:23

I wouldn't feel comfortable sitting in my own at dinner time, lunch time maybe or I'd invite a friend or a tinder date.

CatOnTheChair · 24/01/2023 13:38

Your friends are boring!
Isn't what I'd usually eat, but it sounds delicious.
Unfortunately, I'd probably end up taking DS1 or my Mum. The rest of the family wouldn't go (we have a vegetarian restaurant near us, and those are the people I've been with).

mightymam · 24/01/2023 13:39

A- I've done this many times. Restaurants, theatres, cinema- do it!