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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To Read the menu online

151 replies

Booklover23 · 04/11/2023 14:11

I am going for dinner with DH this evening somewhere we’ve not been before.

I’ve no allergies, am not a fussy eater (quite the opposite) but I like to have a nose at the menu before going.

Mainly because I’m a weirdo who likes reading a menu. DH had just said “reading the menu online “spoils the surprise”.

I think “well it’s an Italian restaurant- it won’t be that surprising”.

But wise women of MN… I open the door to you - so you read the menu online before going to a restaurant

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 04/11/2023 14:20

I'd read it first to check if there's anything I'd like to eat on the menu (vegetarian who is fed up of mediocre vege. options).

littlegrebe · 04/11/2023 14:21

@MadeOfAllWork the Fuck You Risotto is exactly what that dish is. I don't see it as much as I used to these days but have noticed some places shifting towards the Fuck You Plant Based Curry in an attempt to save themselves having to think of two different dishes without a dead animal in them. The latter is worse in many ways as it usually costs about twice what you'd pay in an Indian restaurant but is only half as nice.

Createausername1970 · 04/11/2023 14:21

If it was a type of food I was familiar with and had an idea of what to expect (Italian, Chinese etc) then probably not. If it was something I wasn't familiar with, then definitely yes I would.

Monkeymonkeymoo · 04/11/2023 14:22

I love looking at the menu before I go somewhere (or to help me choose somewhere).
Like you, I’m the opposite of fussy but I like to plan out what I’m going to have and what sides/starters/puddings I want to share with my husband (he’s happy with this arrangement 😂). It’s part of the fun for me.

I’ve literally just come here from looking at a menu for a restaurant I’ll probably never go to because it was mentioned in the Guardian First Dates column and they mentioned one of the cocktails included feta. I thought it sounded interesting so went off to look at the menu!

Original poster
Booklover23 · 04/11/2023 14:22

Glad there are other “fantasy diners” out there too!

Also - what I’ll end up having will depend on what DH has, as generally I can’t order the same thing as someone else as that feels disappointing

OP posts:
TheKnittedCharacter · 04/11/2023 14:22

I always do. My husband was abroad on business last week and I was even reading the menus of restaurants he was at.

AhBiscuits · 04/11/2023 14:23

I always do this.

To Read the menu online
TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 04/11/2023 14:23

I also watch restaurant reviews on YouTube, my current favourite are American buffets with several shades of alarming sludge.
I so want to go to one.

CranfordScones · 04/11/2023 14:23

Yes! And I also confess a peculiar fascination with Chinese takeaway menus, even more weird because I've kind of gone off Chinese these days...

Woollyjumpersandtomatosoupweather · 04/11/2023 14:24

Yes, of course! To check there are a couple of things I like, and that I can afford it!

justalittlesnoel · 04/11/2023 14:24

I'm sorry but LTB - he's clearly a psychopath.

Surely everyone check a menu first? I'm not fussy and no dietary requirements but how will I know exactly what to get? I'm too indecisive to only see something for the first time 5 minutes before someone asks what I want to eat. How will I help my DH pick a dish that I also want to try so I can split the courses?! It makes no sense.

What does he think the surprise will be? It's not a tasting menu that disappears if you have a cheeky first look 😂

Original poster
Booklover23 · 04/11/2023 14:24

I see what you mean. I’s not like I’ll turn up with my mind made up. It’s still “what are you having, what shall I have, shall we share x”.

OP posts:
Manadou · 04/11/2023 14:24

Booklover23 · 04/11/2023 14:15

I do that too! Yesterday a friend posted from a restaurant on Facebook and I immediately went and looked at the menu

hmm maybe I am weird 🤣

These days, before you do many or most things, you can go online and read about it. A train journey, a bus ride, a visit to a museum, stately home, supermarket, hotel, gym, spa, clinic, shoe shop, nail bar, whatever. It's normal. Why should a restaurant be any different? In my opinion, it's 'weird' not to do it.

KissTheRains · 04/11/2023 14:25
Hurry Up GIF

I do it too.
It actually drives me a bit potty when people take forever to decide what they want. Staring at a menu going,
"Umm Ahhh.. maybe I'll have... Ooh but that sounds nice... Ooo ahhh... Hmmm..."

I want to beat them with a bread stick and tell them to hurry up...

Manadou · 04/11/2023 14:25

Booklover23 · 04/11/2023 14:24

I see what you mean. I’s not like I’ll turn up with my mind made up. It’s still “what are you having, what shall I have, shall we share x”.

Is he like this a lot? Have you been married long?

TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 04/11/2023 14:26

Booklover23 · 04/11/2023 14:22

Glad there are other “fantasy diners” out there too!

Also - what I’ll end up having will depend on what DH has, as generally I can’t order the same thing as someone else as that feels disappointing

Absolutely, you can't have the sane as you need to try more.
I'll eat anything anyway so it's easy for me and I'm always happy to let the others choose first.
The exception is tasting menus that change often, but even then they generally have an example menu online.

Original poster
Booklover23 · 04/11/2023 14:26

😂to the GC meme. That is me

OP posts:
DrunkenKoala · 04/11/2023 14:26

Yes. But a couple of times recently (last six months) the menu in the restaurant has been different to the menu online, so don’t always trust it now.

fancyfrogs · 04/11/2023 14:27

I do too

user1471553275 · 04/11/2023 14:28

I always read the menu before going out so I can spend the days before fantasising about what I'm going to eat! My friends think I'm ridiculous but I love going out and knowing what I want to have makes the night for me. I hate people who spend ages dithering when they get a menu. It also influences what I may have for dinner in the days running up to the meal out and a few days after so I don't end up having the same sort of thing again. Browse that menu and enjoy!

Lose10kyesterday · 04/11/2023 14:28

TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 04/11/2023 14:14

I always do, in fact I read the menus of restaurants my friends are going to.
I love reading menus.

Yes, so do I! It's part of the anticipation and experience of going out for a meal! I love reading menus of restaurants which are new to me, and even of those which are not! Also ones to which I've been and might like to return to! (No wonder I'm not losing weight, the thought transfers to action in many cases!)

Valerianandfoxglovesoup · 04/11/2023 14:29

Why are so many women on here married to such dreary bollockless wimps? Spoils.the surprise? What is he, 5?

HelpingJands · 04/11/2023 14:29

I always do. In fact, I wouldn't go to a restaurant if I hadn't looked at the menu first.

Westfacing · 04/11/2023 14:29

Yes I do - it's good to get an idea of what's on offer!

Eating out is very expensive - I don't need surprises.

hollyblueivy · 04/11/2023 14:33

Yes I love checking out the menu before going - adds to the enjoyment of going for a meal!