To prefer eating in to going out for dinner/lunch?

[Purplepansies]

I really do not enjoy going out to eat any more.I find it tedious waiting to be served,it is a gamble as to whether the food will be good/bad/mediocre,it costs a lot for a family of four and always makes me think what else we could have spent the money on, and yet its one of those things that everyone else seems to really enjoy.
I have two teens who really don't enjoy it either and there is endless faffing with things like "I'll have the beef but I don't want the gravy on it,I'll have the chicken but no sauce,I'll have the burger but plain with nothing on it".
Am I the only one who is like this?I far prefer cooking something myself at home ,eating it where and when I want and not handing over large amounts of cash for average food.
I have no problem getting a takeaway now and again its just the sitting down that drives me nuts.
I am being unreasonable aren't I?

[Bunbaker]

Laurie You have a legitimate excuse then. Can you get a takeaway instead?

[yourlittlesecret]

My teenage DSs think carveries (yuk)are the best because they are greedy pigs.
If I take them to a hotel with a buffet they are the ones having roast beef with lasagne, fish,spaghetti and chicken chasseur all on one plate.

[nastymrsvicar]

I generally love eating out but if with a big group I prefer eating at home because I always end up getting stiffed re having to pay for the gallons of wine everyone else has drunk while I've only had a glass.

Plus, my fiance is a brilliant chef so food at home is often nicer than out...

[almapudden]

I love eating out. Both DP and I are good cooks, and I do enjoy cooking at the weekend or during the school holidays (I'm a teacher) when I've got time to follow a recipe properly and make something interesting.

But I like the ritual of eating out as much as the food itself, and I would quite happily eat out three or four times a week if money were no object. We usually eat out once a week, and I enjoy choosing where to go and what to have. We live in London, where there's a seemingly infinite range within easy reach.

I am too much of a snob ever to set foot in a carvery.

[Lizzylou]

Peggy, we have an amazing Halal buffet nearby, soft drinks only and we are normally the only westerners. I am often the only woman there not in a Burkha. They have well known curry dishes, then a section of authentic dishes, like sheeps head, goat and things and we do try but sometimes it isn't to our taste.
We would go every week, but we would be humongous.

[SauvignonBlanche]

Thanks Lizzylou
I know Garstang very well but don't live there now. Pipers is excellent!

I think DH and I may get back on speaking terms tonight but can't imagine going out.

[Turquoisetamborine]

I love eating out. Now our son is 6, it's our favourite thing to do as we would rather eat out as a family than go out as a couple.

We were supposed to go out tonight but I had risotto in Pret which was so filling I couldn't eat another meal so we got easy food from M&S to have later. We are very choosy about where we eat and rarely have a poor meal out.

[Lizzylou]

Well, have some Sauv and a lovely evening
I was so impressed by Pipers, the whole town was lovely, very nice day.

[hugoagogo]

I like eating out as a family as we all like different things and I am veggie.

Little known fact for you- I have never been to Garstang sober

[Cuddlecouch]

We would love to eat out more. I don't mind paying for good food. But every time we go out it is substandard food, sub standard service, queues, loud music and soft drinks that cost more than alcohol. There's lots of variety near us but its all very poor food.

I love cooking but would love a night off. I refuse to pay £100 for us all to eat out when we come home wishing we had stayed home.

[MistressDeeCee]

Im not that fussed about eating out, OH is into it more than me as a nice evening out at times. Your DCs have probably picked up your fussy attitude. Even if Im not so much in the mood I go, as Id rather have someone who wants a meal/evening out at time than one who wants to sit at home all the time. Its nice for us to both take a break from cooking and go for a wander

[Lizzylou]

Hugo
I really liked it round there, lovely walk by canal and river and lovely lunch, lots of cheese. Fabulous,

[catwithflowers]

I think you are potty but to each their own. I love cooking, love eating and also love going out for lovely lunches and dinners.

[Nancy66]

another one who loves eating out too. one of the best things about going on holiday is eating out every day

[Laquitar]

I like eating out and we used to eat out a lot but we cantafford it in the past 2 years.
Some people can go on and on about the 'interesting' restaurant they have visited and the...'interesting' food they ate. Anyway if you mix with people from other countries you can eat more authentic food in their houses for free.
Imo eating out and holidays abroad are nice if you can afford them but you can live without them too.

[CombineBananaFister]

I lurve eating out BUT my husband is a chef (not a stealth boast) so it really limits us. We are on a tight budget and My DH only really likes to eat out if it's something he can't eat at home (which isn't much )

I know I should be grateful but I really like the social aspect of eating out with him and DC but chains are a nightmare for him. Saying that, simple is good as long as it's quality so my nans egg and chips are fine

[WooWooo]

I love sitting opposite someone that I like in a nice restaurant and chatting. I don't like doing it with complainers or people that I haven't chosen to be with.

[Mintyy]

As I said earlier on the thread, I love to eat out, but would never waste money on a hideous Frankie & Benny's type experience. Would rather eat out once every three months than once a month at a place we didn't really like.

[Laquitar]

I hate eating out with competitive types. You know the ones who go 'hmm the food is ok but the one we ate in...blah blah '.
But my family used to run hotels and touristry restaurants and i used to spent my school holidays in them so maybe thats why i dont see it as a big deal or the ultimate life experience. Competitive travelling and competitive eating out or trying 'ethnic food' does my head in.

[squoosh]

One thing I've noticed in recent years is people taking a photo of their dinner before tucking in. Food bloggers everywhere!

[Sparklingbrook]

Ugh yes, Frankie & Benny's Mintyy. Absolutely dire for the £££s it costs. never again.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

We hardly ever eat out but we are not far from Garstang.....

[TruffleOil]

I love dining out, it's the biggest line item in our family budget.

[TruffleOil]

Probably because I am OCD in the kitchen, to be honest.