MSE Forum Poll: Do you check the menu online before eating at a restaurant/pub?

MSE_Daniel

You've finally manage to find a date that works for everyone and even picked a venue for dinner. 

But, you've never been there before?

Are you going to have a sneaky peek at their online menu, or do you just turn up on the night and take it from there?

subjecttocontract

I check the menu online BEFORE booking a table because some restaurants have an absolutely abysmal, &/or a very limited choice. Some themed restauants.....went to one last night in Milton Keynes......leave a lot to be desired. We won't ever be going back. So, your option choices don't really fit my requirements. Perhaps you need to take a bigger view ?

BridgetTheCat

I’d love to be spontaneous but since I was advised to restrict certain foods by my doctor I’m always going to check that there’s at least 2 choices on the menu that I can eat and enjoy ( in case one item is off for some reason).

MyRealNameToo

Picked I've done a menu deep dive and already decided what I'm having.  Its not 100% accurate as I probably will have shorted listed some options rather than actually having selected what I want plus have to deal with the are we having starters or desert question. 

I dont like seafood nor offal, whilst I wouldnt classify myself as a picky eater there are increasing numbers of places, at least in London, who do specialise. I'd rather know up front and make my decision in advance than agree to go and see the menu is full of tripe, liver etc... your not always even guaranteed a vegetarian option with PittCue infamously saying that the only vegetarians they serve are on the plate. Even their bread was made with beef dripping. 

Emmia

I wouldn't book a restaurant unless I'd at least had a perusal of the menu - this could be online, it might be when walking past, before booking later but there is no way I wouldn't have a reasonable idea of the cuisine, dishes and ballpark costs at the time I booked.

soolin

I always check as I'm gluten free so can't risk a restaurant without checking the menu, and usually also phoning to make sure they can accommodate me.If it is a spur of the moment thing, as happens a lot as I eat out frequently, then I wouldn't allow myself to be seated until I have asked about gluten free. 

Vitor

I post the menu/wine menu to ChatGPT to have the AI comment on what's likely the optimal choices for our likes and the best value for accompanying wine 

twopenny

Look online isn't quite true.
I tend to see a place I like the look of and read the menu in the window. 
But I may check online at a later date to see if it's the same. 

JadedAngel88

I'd have to check the dessert menu first before I'd choose somewhere to eat. Some places do some really naff desserts. 

Albermarle

subjecttocontract said:

I check the menu online BEFORE booking a table because some restaurants have an absolutely abysmal, &/or a very limited choice. Some themed restauants.....went to one last night in Milton Keynes......leave a lot to be desired. We won't ever be going back. So, your option choices don't really fit my requirements. Perhaps you need to take a bigger view ?

I do the same, and also look at the wine list/drinks menu. Not so much because I am that fussy, but more to see the price level.

Emmia

subjecttocontract said:

I check the menu online BEFORE booking a table because some restaurants have an absolutely abysmal, &/or a very limited choice. Some themed restauants.....went to one last night in Milton Keynes......leave a lot to be desired. We won't ever be going back. So, your option choices don't really fit my requirements. Perhaps you need to take a bigger view ?

Themed restaurants are nearly always terrible.

My other avoidances are places that are "wine focused"  that usually means overpriced wine and so so food.