To say no to pizza pasta again?

[karmakameleon]

So I'm trying to arrange dinner with a friend and her family and she's suggested a pizza pasta place. Fairly standard kid food but my problem is that DS (3yrs old) doesn't like it. DS will happily eat Indian, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican amongst other things, so I don't think he can be described as fussy, but just not pizza and pasta.

As you imagine this comes up regularly when we eat out with friends and in the past I've taken the view that DS can have some bread and fill up on ice cream after. But this time I've had enough and put my foot down as I just feel it's not fair on DS to always be the one that can't eat and ends up going home hungry. Also I know that DS really doesn't like pizza pasta as I've offered it to him a hundred times but I'm guessing that my friend's child hasn't tried half the options I've suggested. (The specific places I've mentioned to her all do some mild options in smaller sized portions although not specifically a children's menu.) And if the worst came to the worst, surely her DS could pick at his main and then have lots of ice cream for pudding like mine has had to in the past?

Anyway, the whole thing is proving quite traumatic, she's not taking up any of my suggestions and sticking fairly rigidly to her original choice and I'm getting the feeling that the whole thing is off unless I do as I'm told compromise. So now I'm starting to feel guilty and think maybe I'm being a bit unreasonable as it is a fairly standard choice. But then it's not DS's fault he doesn't like it...

Inertia, I was operating on the same assumption, though I must admit I have never heard anyone say "pizza pasta" as shorthand. Perhaps there is some trendy new dish that combines the two!

Every time the OP writes 'pizza pasta' I imagine a bowl of pizza cut into strips.

It must be hard for you having such a fussy eater Inertia.

I'm imaging pasta on a pizza base now.

Stop. Eating. Food. With. Your. Friend.

Unless today's special is 'Pan fried Drama-Llama with a side order of slow roasted grips'?

I agree with the OP.

Facts: The adults involved will eat anything.
Fussy child no. 1 (The OPs) will eat anything except pasta & pizza
Fussy child no. 2 (the "friend's") will only eat pizza and pasta.

Excluding establishments with a varied menu (which " friend" has also vetoed?) one of the fussy children will not get a proper meal. Why should this always be the OPs child?

I'll be fucked if I'll be dictated to by someone's toddlers fussy eating habits.
That goes for either you or your friend tbh.
You DO realise you are both behaving exactly the same don't you - only you are adding the extra stealth boast snobbery of how your child has more exotic tastes.

However I can't see what's wrong with giraffe!

I find the plates aren't long enough...

Sauvignon, I think I'd prefer to flip it round and say that everyone else is a picky eater- after all, if you like chicken, why not pickled puffin which has been buried in lava for 8 months?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine, except that just about every pizza restaurant in the land sells side orders that don't contain pizza or pasta.

Plenty for a 3 year old to dig into before eyeing up the ice cream menu.

Oh for goodness sake just go to McDonald's!

Good point Inertia, but I am worried about your DCs five a day amongst all that puffin and unicorn cheese?

Giraffe's kids menu contains pizza bites/pasta as well as more exotic food. The friend is just being difficult.

There's no need for language like that, ExasperatedAlmostAlways!

BackInTheRealWorld Why do you think it's stealth boast snobbery. The food she's listed is quite typical run of the mill type of stuff unless I missed the post about lobsters and caviar?

Just to be clear the conversation with me friend has gone along the lines of

• where shall we eat?
• how about this chain Italian?
• ooh DS not mad keen on that, maybe one of these (suggest three chains that DS does like inc giraffe)
• hmm not sure will have a think

And later

• another thought, what about nandos?

So far no response.

So no discussion about DS's extensive and varied palate or love of spicy food, a couple of definite child friendly places, and no other suggestions from her. Just left with the feeling that if I don't go with the original suggestion we'll have to part ways.

I was imaging a bowl of pasta smothered with this Pizza Dip:
www.buzzfeed.com/adambianchi/you-need-this-pizza-dip-in-your-life#.qfX5LAxEL

Sauvignon 😂

Maybe the friendship is fizzling out? I'd be more keen on seeing my friend and having fun than worrying about one naff meal. Maybe either you or her (or both of you) don't feel the same.

I was with you from your op op, but since then we've had;

1. Can't eat anywhere some adults might be having a Christmas party, god forbid.
2. Must eat from kids menu. Can't possibly order adult portion and either divvie out leftovers, or take home.

I
Whilst I do see what you're saying, it's really really easy to order something other than pizza or pasta from pretty much any restaurant, even a pizza pasta one.

Oh this thread has given me a laugh. They could have the good food guide for toddlers.

Can't believe that his thread has already reached 9 pages. If you can't talk to each other directly about where to eat, don't meet! It really doesn't need to be this complicated surely!

No discussion about your sons 'extensive and varied palate'?

Why don't you cook for one-another

If this really is about what your son would like then buy a bag of chips and take them to the park.