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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be losing patience with this friend (restaurant booking)

62 replies

user1485342611 · 19/06/2018 13:19

A group of us, who haven't met in a while, are trying to organise a night out. I said I'd book a restaurant. However, one particular friend, no matter what restaurant I suggest, has a problem with it. She hates Chinese food, can't even stand the smell of garlic, doesn't like wine so wants a restaurant that serves beer as well and on, and on and on.

I suggested that she choose somewhere and suggest it to the group but she just said that she's not well up on restaurants and wouldn't know where to pick.

AIBU to wish she'd just bail out of the evening as she's bloody impossible to keep happy. She basically seems to want to eat in a glorified version of McDonald's that also serves beer, while the rest of us would like somewhere that's a bit more or a treat.

OP posts:
Atalune · 19/06/2018 13:20

Gastro pub would be the perfect place surely? Will have pub classics done well and fish, finer dining options too. Wine list etc.

Tangled59 · 19/06/2018 13:21

Why not just go to a good pub?

SleepingStandingUp · 19/06/2018 13:22

Dwell what matters more - seeing her or what you eat?

I get she's being annoying.

Most restaurants serve beer as well as wine.

Original poster
user1485342611 · 19/06/2018 13:23

I live in Dublin and we're meeting in the city centre. There's not too many gastric pubs there and not that many restaurants that serve beer as well as wine unless you go to a TGIF type place.

OP posts:
Jozxyqk · 19/06/2018 13:24

Does she actually go out to eat anywhere nice? What sort of food does she like & do the rest of the group like that too? It does sound like she's being rather difficult, TBH.

mnawesome · 19/06/2018 13:25

What about the Market Bar?

SgtFredColon · 19/06/2018 13:26

What about The Exchequer?

itsBritneyBeach · 19/06/2018 13:26

PHX bistro is a little walk from the city centre, serves beer and is lovely!

Tangled59 · 19/06/2018 13:26

San Lorenzos!

MyOtherUsernameisaPun · 19/06/2018 13:26

She does sound a bit difficult.

How about Bull and Castle? I ate there on a trip to Dublin. They have delicious pub food and a really good craft beer menu.

mnawesome · 19/06/2018 13:27

Or the Exchequer?

MadMags · 19/06/2018 13:28

There's loads of places in Dublin!

Toofle · 19/06/2018 13:28

The power of MN. No excuse for ditching her now!

SgtFredColon · 19/06/2018 13:28

Fade St Social?

ghostyslovesheets · 19/06/2018 13:29

seriously most Dublin restaurants don't sell beer Confused I'm baffled by this!

just pick a place - book it and if she wont come - tough!

BarbaraofSevillle · 19/06/2018 13:29

Pick three restaurants that the rest of the group would be happy with and tell her to pick one. Do not let her dictate and pick somewhere that the rest of the group are not happy with.

If she wants glorified McDonalds, well nearly all restaurants serving European and probably North or South American food serve burgers, steaks, barbecue or chicken dishes so she can have one of those.

I've never seen a restaurant that doesn't serve beer though. I've obviously never been anywhere naice enough.

SgtFredColon · 19/06/2018 13:30

Brasserie Sixty Six? Was also going to say Bull and Castle.

Yanbu btw. Fussiness but then not making any suggestions is very annoying.

MargaretCavendish · 19/06/2018 13:30

Christ, she sounds hard work. I'm sure people will help you come up with a place that meets her needs, but if I'm honest I'd be a bit reluctant to bend to her whims too - obviously it's ok to have preferences and I'd always make sure dietary requirements were catered for, but an adult going out as part of a group doesn't get to be a picky toddler about it. She'll cope with one meal where there's a smell she doesn't like (?!) or where she can't have her favourite drink.

BottleOfJameson · 19/06/2018 13:31

YANBU. She sounds like hard work. Surely almost any restaurant will serve alternatives to wine? Although apparently from PP I'm wrong. Gastro pub sounds good but I'd probably not carry on with her indefinitely I'd give her a few options or she can pick one herself. If that doesn't work just say you can't find anywhere that meet her requirements so unfortunately she'll have to like it or lump it.

PrimalLass · 19/06/2018 13:32

What? Restaurants that don't sell beer?

MargaretCavendish · 19/06/2018 13:32

The problem with picking a pub that does a great beer range is that a lot of them are a bit crap for wine, and it sounds like that's what most of the group would like to drink. I say this as someone who much prefers beer, but who wouldn't expect a wine drinking group to pick a pub with a great range of ales just for me.

Original poster
user1485342611 · 19/06/2018 13:35

Some good suggestions on here. Thanks!

OP posts:
WhatdoIdonow01 · 19/06/2018 13:36

Of course restaurants in town sell beer! What have my dh and brothers been ordering with their meals for years so? Just pick somewhere you all fancy and she will be fine

MoreCoffeePlease123 · 19/06/2018 13:36

I second Market Bar and Brasserie 66, both really nice

MadMags · 19/06/2018 13:38

Brasserie 66 is lovely, actually.