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.

I would be happy someone else made a meal for me! Strawberries and cream is fine by me! Have you had her food before?

Why are you banging on about an hour's journey? That's nothing!

Were you expecting a Vienetta, is that the issue?

For me visiting friends it's all about the company, I'm happy with a cuppa & a slice of cake. 🍰
Cooking stresses me out, so you definitely wouldn't be impressed by my offerings.

Was it a big MN salad?

I think the Op is a wind up with @TheRakesTale stirring the pot.

Is there something else going on here @Carefreebie?
The food sounds perfectly fine.

I’m not worried .

I wouldn’t invite you again.

I’d be pretty embarrassed to write this on a public forum.
and think your friendship is dead.

was it nice to see your friend?
where they warm and enthusiastic to see you?
if so I think that was the main point of the visit.

🙊

I would love to be handed that meal. They were probably upset at the unhealthy crap you served them.

Did you go to see your friend or did you go purely for a food experience?

No. It’s entitled to receive a perfectly good dinner and think it’s not up to snuff after travelling so far and then whinge about it on sm.

And it’s entitled to rudely describe sausages and three different salads as a kids lunch.

Firstly; how do you know?

I had fennel sausages and Mediterranean salads on holiday last week. It was enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

Second; wtf does it matter if they served up beans on toast? As a friend I would assume they were under pressure at work and be grateful to see them anyway. I wouldn’t go around thinking I’d been short changed and I somehow deserved better. How self important is that?

Oh God, I'm worried now! I have friends coming over for dinner tonight and am doing strawberries and cream for dessert!
I'm working a long day today and worked yesterday until 10pm. I've cooked a feast for the main course but thought strawberries and cream was fine for dessert - seeing how little time I have. Is it not?!

Oh come on. I actually like strawberries so no complaints there, but sausages? I rarely serve sausages at home and if I do it's a "oh fuck it's late and we've got no food in and I can't be bothered to cook" kind of thing from the emergency pack in the freezer, with beans and chips. Kids' food. Perfectly comforting for a can't-be-arsed meal if we are desperate but definitely not something on my regular meals list.

I would raise an eyebrow at a friend serving me that, and sausages don't go with salad (which is also not a meal)!

A quick pasta dish would be better.

It's the perfect time for strawberries and cream, not hinging wrong with it at all. I don't like cream and would be happy with a bowl of strawberries.

Wow what’s your definition of “exciting” food? You sound like a toddler tbh.

Strawberries and cream is a perfect dessert.

I’m guessing they were of the posh variety, not frozen Richmond ones. Which is perfectly fine for a summer dinner, a bit like when you go to a barbecue.

Strawberries and cream in high summer is a delicious pudding.

I went to a fancy pants restaurant in France a couple of weeks ago and we had the set lunch menu. Dessert was several slices of perfecly ripe melon garnished with muscat wine and chiffonaded fresh mint. It was delicious.

Sorry OP but you don't sound very nice

Do yourself a favour and please don’t go again, they don’t deserve rude friends like you.

Next time go to a restaurant! You don’t go around to a friend’s house to assess their cooking skills and effort levels. I have some friends who are not happy cooks - we order in - who cares, they are hosting - that takes planning and effort.
When I have friends around I never do starters and I never do pudding - we often do some cheese from Neal’s Yard or a friend will bring a pudding. Anyone wanting to eat restaurant style, I’m happy to eat out.

I've been to a friend's house and they served, ready made pizza and cookies. I didn't mind, it wasn't great but I went to see her and catch up. She works long hours and probably just wanted something quick and easy. I didn't want her stuck in the kitchen, when we could be sat down chatting.

"traveling."...hardly a 6 hour trek was it?

On MN a whole hour on a train is an expedition! Didn't she make you a flask of coffee and sandwiches for the return journey?