Sick of eatting out and it’s not that good!

[Greekdream]

Second time this week eatting out one was a birthday celebration and today for father day
both times spending over 100 quid and the food worse then you make at home

just don’t wanna go it anymore unless it’s somewhere really good
tricky when it’s special occasions tho

Be careful! I was told by a friend who worked in an upmarket restaurant that if you send food back (for reheating, for example), it gets spat on! Dreadful thought, but I can believe it, unfortunately.

I never would eat out Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Too busy. Sevrice is always bad. Prices always go up.

I have a few local restaurants where we eat for a reasonable price. The mid market chains (eg Bills, The Ivy, Cote etc) are usually the ones that leave me disappointed although sometimes you can be lucky.

I’m afraid that 99% of the food that you have out, whether it be chains or independents all use either Brakes or Bidfood. (I know, I’m in the trade)
it comes in a box, the only skills you need in the kitchen is to know how to read the instructions and how to arrange it on the plate. A handy little picture is attached for that.
Nothing is fresh or cooked from scratch.
when was the last time you walked into somewhere and smelled the Sunday roast (etc) cooking?
the only difference in the venues is the price, the food is the same.
granted some higher price pubs/restaurants can cater for the more upmarket food but that because they can afford the higher prices in the wholesale catalogues/websites.
having been in the trade for 35 years there has been a huge decline in food quality and prep. The bottom line is it’s far cheaper to buy in bulk, make a guaranteed profit on it and have less waste

Surely it depends on what people choose to spend money on, for some its expensive handbags, shoes and cars etc, for others its eating out

It’s really hard to find a decent Sunday roast. I found one pub recently great for meat but the veg was definitely frozen/packet. And the cost is too much for what it is. I do prefer a cafe non chain for a good brunch rather than dinner out. It is often better at home.

@SpidersAreShitheads I like mine medium so brush with a little melted butter and grill.
OH prefers well done so I wrap his in foil, pop it in the oven fof 10 minutes then unwrap and grill along with mine.

I work in catering, a few years ago we were making all the things like coleslaw, roast veg, and other side dishes ourselves. Management decided it was to expensive now it's all bought in...its a shame.

Yesss! I’m veggie too and want to eat vegetarian, not vegan! It puts me off going out.

Agree completely, the price has gone up and the quality has gone down. I prefer the food I cook and I find it annoying to pay a lot for food that I can cook better.

I haven't eaten out in ages (too skint) - but I do know how to cook a steak, thanks to asking the local French Chef.

Steak needs to be room temp. Heat lashings of olive oil and butter in a good solid pan. Cook steak over high heat to taste. Leave to rest on plate and THEN season with salt/pepper. Meanwhile turn all the caramelized gubbings left in the pan into a sauce jus of choice.

Thanks/merci Flo, I can now turn most cheapo steaks into a right treat. I used to always season before cooking.

I’d have a dessert and no pizza tbh.

Even our Indian takeaway has doubled in price since Covid - my last curry had 8 small bits of chicken swimming about in a lake of sauce.

On the rare occasions we eat out it's lunch at the golf club or a small cafe as it's about £7 cheaper for a main course

Good point. If I go out then it’s usually lunch.

@Redpeach

Surely it depends on what people choose to spend money on, for some its expensive handbags, shoes and cars etc, for others its eating out

Of course, but I feel like 20 years ago it was relatively more affordable to eat out so more people could take the gamble of having a meal out even if they weren't sure they were going to enjoy it and thus could be more adventurous. Nowadays that could be prohibitive so people are more likely to stick to what they know.

And at least a handbag or a car will last, whereas a meal won't.

Don't get me wrong I'd far rather spend money on good food than handbags, but I have definitely cut back.

Totally agree. We used to go out about once a month to eat as family. Probably been out once or twice (when away on hols) for meals so fat this year . Meals are getting expensive and quality declining.

I've been out for meals with friends but we've started meeting for breakfast - yummmm poached egg on toast.

We do go to the park cafe though which is cheap and cheerful and we go to a few Japanese places.

I don't mind 'pub classics' done well but they often aren't and the prices - sheesh! Why's fish and chips nearly £20 now? With cheapo tartar sauce from a jar when it's easy and so much better to make your own. No effort made, churn it out, freezer food.

I'm happy for someone else to do the roast dinner occasionally as I find it a lot of faff but I want a proper yorkshire pudding and fresh veg and meat that isn't overcooked. One place we used to go to fancied itself as a bit of a gastro pub but couldn't get things right. They advertise pork with crackling to make it sound tempting but should be honest and say pork with a limp piece of fat.

We tend to stick to our local Thai or Indian restaurants, or a family run Italian and we’re rarely disappointed
I get it though, chain restaurants can be rubbish- and expensive

We had an exceptional dinner in the Talbot Inn a few weeks ago. In Mells. Possibly close enough for you?

The strawberry mousse was something i will never forget!

But if you dont need a handbag or a car, then eating out is far better value

Am with you, I spent £70 this weekend on some great food which had done 2 meals, fed 7 one day 5 the next. I cant justify spending over £100 at a restaurant for ok food. We rarely eat out now. Though we did visit the most amazing pizza restaurant a few weeks ago which was worth every penny.

wells ?

The last time (and I mean that literally) we ate at Miller and Carter we had a tomohawk steak - supposed to be one of their signature dishes. It was practically unbeatable - fatty and tough. Staff were snotty when we complained - didn’t offer an alternative, just a small discount on the bill. Never been back.

At home, someone has to cook and wash up

I still love eating out, but avoid most chains

I value word of mouth recommendations, go to mostly independent places or use Groupon or Wowcher for a bargain if I just want cheap and cheerful - usually under £30 for 2 including a drink

I noticed the decline about 20 years ago. Tried Nando's and Pizza Express etc when they first opened and found them all crap.

Used to love an Indian meal as they were independent and had individual styles and tastes. About 20 years ago they all started tasting the same and I realised they were all getting the same generic vats of sauces from a central supplier.