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AIBU?

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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:
sunshineandshowers40 · 04/11/2023 17:26

I always do this!

dutysuite · 04/11/2023 17:28

I thought everyone did?

REP22 · 04/11/2023 17:34

I always do, if I can. Anticipation is half the thrill... 😉

TorroFerney · 04/11/2023 17:35

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 🤣

Nope you aren’t. I always check. Husband reads menus in towns and cities outside restaurants we are never going to eat in.

Goodfrock · 04/11/2023 17:42

I do think reading the menu and discussing possible choices is part of the evening out that's lost if someone knows what they're having before you arrive.

CMOTDibbler · 04/11/2023 17:45

I'm gluten free so I always read the menu, and google how well they deal with gluten free. I'd really rather not, and love going to fine dining places (as long as they get gf) where food just gets put in front of me and you don't know what there will be

JL690 · 04/11/2023 17:46

I always do this if it's somewhere I haven't been before, just to make sure they have a good variety of meals. I'd hate to turn up and not be able to find anything I liked on the menu.

BCBird · 04/11/2023 17:48

I always do. Puddings first of course🤣

Nothanksthanksanyway · 04/11/2023 17:50

I do this often, mainly because me and DH are always talking and I never get chance to really look ( then I usually default to the usual type of things!) I never 100% decide but I like to narrow it down so I don’t become overwhelmed in the moment!

wedonttalkaboutyouno · 04/11/2023 17:51

I like to choose what I want beforehand, as I’m always too busy chatting once I arrive at the restaurant to be interrupted by looking at the menu 😂

IHeartGeneHunt · 04/11/2023 17:59

I do! I also look up the menus of restaurants I'm never going to go to, just to see what they've got. And I pick what I would have if I went!

Multipleexclamationmarks · 04/11/2023 18:01

No, I'm with your dh, I like a surprise when I get there, no clue why, I just do. My dh always reads the menu online and it irrationally irritated me.

gannett · 04/11/2023 18:08

Another one who loves reading menus. I read menus of restaurants I'm going to go to and those I'll never go to. I'm not fussy, it's because I love food and thinking about food.

The practical benefits are that I can get the faffy indecision out of my system beforehand and at the restaurant can concentrate on talking to the people I'm with. Sometimes there's an ingredient I'm not familiar with and I can google. I always bear in mind that the online menu isn't always the same as on the day. It's part of the fun of going out to eat for me.

On holiday I drive DP mad as I'll stop to read the menus of half the restaurants we pass, even if we've just had lunch or dinner.

Icopewhenihope · 04/11/2023 18:11

Always!

pheonixrebirth · 04/11/2023 18:14

I always check out the menu before going anywhere and to add even more fantasy dining experiences, if I'm watching real housewives or Kardashian's I will look up the restaurants that they are eating in whilst watching the show to see what they are having! I am obsessed with menus.😋

Caerulea · 04/11/2023 18:17

I cook food for a living, wouldn't consider eating anywhere unless I see the menu first. There are too many shit ones out there.

Chromium24 · 04/11/2023 18:20

Why wait when you can know in advance, whats available ?

Myonlysunshine123 · 04/11/2023 18:40

I do this, its because I love food😂

TheChippendenSpook · 04/11/2023 18:42

BCBird · 04/11/2023 17:48

I always do. Puddings first of course🤣

Absolutely!

SubtleUserName · 04/11/2023 19:22

I like to look at the menu but even more importantly I want to see photos of the chairs. I'm too old for trendy bum traps!

Oldraver · 04/11/2023 19:35

I always do this. When we are somewhere different we always check out the menu

Currently in one of our regular haunts ....Red Meze in Newcastle

PuntasticUsername · 04/11/2023 19:42

I can't be friends with people who don't read menus in advance. Also, we would never go out to dinner with DM or DMIL otherwise as they take a loooooong time to choose on the spot.

And I love this time of year when pubs and restaurants start publishing their Christmas Day and Christmas party menus online. I go through and decide what I'd have if I were going, even if there's no chance whatsoever that I will go. Then I decide for DH, based on his known dietary preferences. Sometimes I get stuck and have to read a few options out to him and make him choose himself, so I will know for next time. He seems to find this mildly irritating. HIBVU for this, clearly.

I mean, doesn't everyone do this? How else do you spend your long winter evenings?

mondaytosunday · 04/11/2023 19:58

I always do this! Even if just going to a café I do this. I like to anticipate a yummy meal. I don't need to be 'surprised' by a menu. That's weird.

43ontherocksporfavor · 04/11/2023 20:00

I went out last night. Did not read the menu online because I just never have. After choosing we were told that 3 items were not available….

OldTinHat · 04/11/2023 21:10

Every. Single. Time.

It's the best bit about going out for a meal!