To Read the menu online

[Booklover23]

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

I always check the menu first.

Another vegetarian here. If it's risotto I go elsewhere too.

I always do. But then I'm the type that pokes around under the Christmas tree trying to guess what the presents are.

@outsidesleeper ”DH disappeared for four days, there’s a half packet of condoms in his bag and a used pair of knickers. WIBU to confront him?”

someone: You sound controlling OP

In many ways MN feels like the ante-room to the divorce court or the psych ward.

Nah I literally have planned what I will order before I go 🤣

Always - to check that I like the menu

Oh, it’s a place I’ve not been to before, I love looking at the menu online. I can, and will, eat pretty much anything (except for one obscure and easily avoided thing that I’m mildly allergic to) so I don’t actually need to check menus in advance, I just love looking at them. DP’s the same. We email each other menu links at work!

I ALWAYS read the menu before if going to a 'proper restaurant' (not a chain pub).

I get easily/embarrassingly overwhelmed by large menus, especially with restaurant noise, smells etc etc. So I choose my meal before I go.

Rather pathetic but going for curry in a couple of weeks and I've already chosen. One less thing to feel anxious about.

I'm with your DH on this one - I think it does ruin the surprise!

It was.
I'm hoping to go again soon.
I just drank water, left a £5 tip so five course tasting menu for £30.

Doesn't matter where I go, if there's a menu on the table I'll read it whether I'm eating there or not. Reading a menu online is most definitely a "thing" as far as I'm concerned.

I always read the online menu of a place I haven't been to before to get a sense of what I'd like to eat there. And actually, I usually do this even if I've been the restaurant before to refresh my memory or see what might be new (or seasonal).

I'll also sometimes peruse reviews to get an idea of which dishes people tend to like there. By the time I get to the restaurant, I pretty much know what I want to order, though may change my mind if there's specials or additions to the regular menu.

People with all sorts of food allergies and specific dietary requirements should be doing this all the time!

Yes I do to check there is something I like - and even if it's somewhere I've been before, like Pizza Express, to get an idea of any changes to the menu and if there's anything new on it that I fancy having.

I do if we are going to be in a bit of a hurry, or if we are taking the kids (especially fussiest one)
I won't necessarily do it otherwise unless I am trying to decide where to go or have some extra time on my hands.

Online menus dont always match up with the menu you'll be given. But yes, always read the menu.

We were arranging a family weekend away recently. Every hotel that was a possibility for booking had the menu scrutinised before being considered

I always look at a menu online before going out for lunch & dinner. I think most people do

Always check the menu here too. It's surprising how many places don't have a veggie option, either because the 'veggie' dish is fish or contains cheese made with animal rennet like parmesan. Or, because they've only got the Fuck You Risotto (love that term for it).

Increasingly, veggie options are being replaced by vegan options. I eat lots of vegan food but the current restaurant and pub trend seems to be for fake meat burgers and fake cheese which I don't want. I miss the spicy bean burgers from 2011. Pretty much every pub did one with chunky chips.

Poor DH's workplace Christmas do is to a restaurant where the meat eaters get a festive roast dinner and the veggie option is the Fuck You Risotto and it costs £30!

I always look online as I’m slow in choosing what I’d like. However I’ve been caught out more than once by the menu having changed. In light of this, I also like to line up more than one possible dish- even if the menu hasn’t changed, I have a knack of choosing whatever has already sold out that evening.

No I never read the menu online.
Thiugh I might start as some restaurants are so dark and the print on menus is so small I’d be able to see better!

I like nosing at a menu.

They give you a good idea of what will be offered though.

YANBU. I do this. I'm not at all a fussy eater, but I enjoy the anticipation of thinking in advance what I'm going to choose. It makes me look forward more to going.

@MadeOfAllWork Ah yes, the 'fuck you risotto', to which I would add 'the goat's cheese salad of we don't care'. 😸

As a veggie, I always check menus, 'cos if either of the above two are on the menu, I know that it's a lazy kitchen and my money will be better spent elsewhere.

That made me laugh!