Travelled to friend's house for dinner, just strawberries for desert - AIBU to think it's low effort?

[Carefreebie]

On the weekend my partner and I travelled to a friend's house for dinner. The journey was over an hour by train.

The main course was sausages with nice sides (potato salad, tomato salad, another salad). That was nice.

But desert was just strawberries with some pouring cream.

We had a nice time, but AIBU to feel that the desert was very low effort and unexciting, and should have been more exciting than strawberries given the journey?

When my friend came to mine, I did a 3-course meal, feeling I should make a big effort because of her long journey.

Wowzer.

Did you turn up arms aswinging?

Strawberries and cream is a great dessert, although I prefer clotted cream.
Strawberries from the Strawberry Line in Somerset: heavenly and bloody expensive.

You are rude and ungrateful.

Nothing entitled about being invited to dinner and expecting dinner
I am sure you and your friends are very happy. Good on you

Ahhh you just reminded me of how nice strawberries and cream is! That’s me sorted later!

You're right OP, how disappointing 😞

It should have been strawberries and ice cream.

It sounds like a low effort but perfectly fine meal. Maybe that was all she could manage for whatever reason. I wouldn't worry about it. Did you travel to go and visit her and spend time in her company, or to get a fancy dinner? I go to visit people and don't care what I get fed. That's not the important part.

I’d be delighted with strawberries and cream, very traditional around this time of year. I’m not sure I’d be impressed with sausages and a tomato salad though 🤷‍♀️

You are being ungrateful. The meal you were served sounds lovely for a light summer dinner. It’s been quite warm and muggy for the last few days and most people don’t want anything too heavy for pudding, especially after having a meal. Strawberries and cream is actually a perfect choice for this time of year and strawberries are in season.

OP, I have the opposite problem.

I always make one or more puddings when I have people over and I get sick of the performative 'Oh, gosh - I can't fit in another scrap!' or 'We never eat puddings' or 'Oh that looks stodgy/unhealthy!' 'I'll have to skip food tomorrow!' script.

I'm a very healthy eater, but when I have people over for a meal, I make a pudding. That's pretty much the only time WE eat them! But I always have just fruit as well, mainly to shut up the people who feel they have to recite all the virtue-signalling phrases above. And then, there'd better be plain yoghurt too or they'll lecture me about the cream!!

Best not come visit me. I often don't serve dessert even for guest!
I prefer a messy hospitality. I am as I am and will make you feel welcome as I can. Depending on my energy and time you may get anything from home grown and home made three course meal to ready cooked chicken and salad.

I think you are right - unexciting. I'd expect a bit more effort as I enjoy making something that people appreciate - that is part of the fun of having people over for me. I guess it's a bit show offy in a way. So presented with strawberries and cream I would clock it like you as no effort but I wouldn't think anything of it beyond 'people are different'.

Well I've had to stop reading this thread because my mouth is just watering at the thought of the lovely bowl of strawberries and cream!

You went to see a friend you weren’t on come dine with me

The dessert is fine

An hour isn't a long journey

Not everyone eats the way you eat, or prepares food the way you prepare food.

The meal she served you might have been a special meal in her household and something they don’t get to do often.

I bought cream the other day and it was so expensive!!

Your friend made the effort and your behaviour posting this to mumsnet is utterly deplorable.

Imagine if she were reading this!!

Sausages and salad is a weird main imho.

Strawberries and cream is fine.

This has to be a wind up.

I go and see my friends to see them not their "pleasant house" or worry about cheeses "even from Lidl" which are still pricey.

I had people round the other day and we had a BBQ and then... Strawberries and cream! It was low effort as I didn't have much time that day. However, if I had had time to make a pudding it would just have been a pavlova - strawberries are the star of the show at this time of year. We had a discussion whilst eating them about how much we all love fruit at this time of year and how cooked pudding isn't really necessary because fruit is so delicious. Maybe they were all lying....

I have a very varied palate, but the two things I can’t abide are tomatoes and strawberries. So for that reason I agree,

YABU. Your poor friend. I couldn’t care less what the food is - it’s about the company. Sounds like you went way OTT when she visited you.

Personally, I would have brought dessert 😇

You've just given me an idea for tonight's post-barbecue dessert, thanks!

I visit a friend to see them, spend time with them and chat (or do what we've planned). Not assess what a great cook they are! YABVU about strawberries!