Choosing from the menu - something new every time or same-old same-old

Victoria Sponge · 11-02-2008, 12:34

When you go to your favourite restaurant or a new one, do you tend to pick the same/similar thing every time?

I tend to choose fillet steak (medium rare) and chips every time I go somewhere new, as it's the one thing I KNOW can never go wrong. A friend of mine is the same and always orders chicken caesar salad (no anchovies) wherever we go.

What about you? Are you more adventurous?

TommyGavin76 · 11-02-2008, 13:11

I eat everything and I mean everything. Normally at a restaurant I would gladly eat any item on the menu, but I nearly always have Fillet Steak if it's there.

Kacey · 11-02-2008, 13:11

Depends on the restaurant - at my favourite Indian restaurants I tend to choose the same dishes - but thats because I visit the same few so often that I've tried most of the menu! In other types of restaurant I'm usually restricted to whats on offer for vegetarians unless I'm visiting my favourite veggie restaurants, whereby I'll try to choose something I've not had before.

I do like to have something new where possible and I'm always pleased to see something I've never cooked myself.

RAINBOWGIRL22 · 11-02-2008, 13:27

Depends on how I feel.... Sometimes I can take forever to pick something from the menu and other times I will know what I fancy before I even get there.

Luckily my friends and BF always tend to try something new so if I am having an old faithful dish then I get to try theirs

Minky_Bum · 11-02-2008, 13:35

For me it depends where I go. If it's just a quick bite after the cinema or something then it'll probably be a pizza, and the same one as always : fiorentina. I

If it's a bit more upmarket, I'll try something different but still along the safe road - e.g. if greek, it'll be a meze.

If it's somewhere mega posh or overseas where I might not go again, I'd make sure I had something really different. For me, it would be a shame to go to a great restuarant as a one off, and order something that I could probably cook at home.

Porcupine · 11-02-2008, 14:25

I always set off with good intentions to try something different whenever we go to our fav eatery .... but then nealry always hear the words 'steak and kidney pie' coming out of my mouth when i order !!

Justabloke · 11-02-2008, 14:34

I always try something different from the menu unless I'm in a place I've been to so often/ for a long time in which case I can't order something new

newkid30 · 11-02-2008, 15:00

I regularly try and order something different, and there have been alot of disasters, especially abroad.

Ja'mie King · 11-02-2008, 17:45

I usually go for roughly the same things when I go out, but so does OH.

Mariaella · 11-02-2008, 18:31

I usually take ages to decide, then when I see other people's food, I wish I'd ordered what they're having instead!

TommyGavin76 · 11-02-2008, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mariaella

I usually take ages to decide, then when I see other people's food, I wish I'd ordered what they're having instead!

I once spotted a cracking looking meal in a Japanese restaurant and when they took my order pointed at the person and asked for what they were having.

Minky_Bum · 11-02-2008, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mariaella

I usually take ages to decide, then when I see other people's food, I wish I'd ordered what they're having instead!

The old dish envy. Hubby and I normally choose the best two dishes and share it anyway. All you see if forks of food being passed across

. Best way to eat is sharing though IMO. Why I love tapas, mezes etc

Espresso · 12-02-2008, 11:46

If I go to a restaurant and they have whitebait, I will always order that. Always. I've only ever seen it as a starter - if it was up to me I'd have it for a starter, for main course and probably for pudding too!

That's the only thing that I absolutely must have, if it's on a menu. Anything goes after that. Either we always go to really good restaurants or I'm so non-discerning that I'd eat a fried welly and pronounce it delicious; but I've never had a bad experience with trying new things.

Last time my other half and I were out for dinner, I ordered the vegetarian option. Just because I liked the sound of it and I'd not had it before, not because I'm a vegetarian. It was gorgeous, too.

fannyadams · 12-02-2008, 12:01

Depends where I am eating and what's on the menu. Usually go with whatever I think sounds nicest. Also, I often ask the waiters what they recommend, and hope they are not palming me off with something they want to get rid of!!!

shazzyfizz · 12-02-2008, 12:43

Depends on whether I feel like healthy eating or comfort eating - When I was taken out for my birthday on Sunday I was feeling a bit decadent:and opted for the following:

Beetroot and goats cheese salad

Chicken with Calva Nero, Carrots & roast potatoes

Banoffi Pie

washed down with lots of sauvignon blanc

Followed by a long nap

Hogs Head · 12-02-2008, 12:48

If I've been to a restaurant before and ordered something that I've loved - I guarantee the next time I'll go there, I'll order the same thing again. I just worry that I might order something else & it won't compare! So I order the same thing to ensure that I will enjoy it! I really must start being more adventurous and order other things too!

alan29 · 12-02-2008, 18:23

I always eat someting I wouldn't cook at home.
Alan

TommyGavin76 · 12-02-2008, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Espresso

If I go to a restaurant and they have whitebait, I will always order that. Always. I've only ever seen it as a starter - if it was up to me I'd have it for a starter, for main course and probably for pudding too!

That's the only thing that I absolutely must have, if it's on a menu. Anything goes after that. Either we always go to really good restaurants or I'm so non-discerning that I'd eat a fried welly and pronounce it delicious; but I've never had a bad experience with trying new things.

Last time my other half and I were out for dinner, I ordered the vegetarian option. Just because I liked the sound of it and I'd not had it before, not because I'm a vegetarian. It was gorgeous, too.

I agree with you on that one! You seldom see Whitebait anymore so it's always first on my list. I've even convinced the missus to try it after her initial fears of eating whole fish.

Beer Monster · 12-02-2008, 20:02

I always go for a steak, dunno why, i eat anything

ice cream · 13-02-2008, 16:32

Not adventurous at all. It's the same old same old for me. Prefer to stick to the foods that I know and like best.

Midiboy · 13-02-2008, 16:59

If it's Thai I always have Mussaman curry, if it's Indian then it's a chicken dhansak as they're my faves. Most other restaurants I'll check out the specials first, then take ages choosing and will change my mind several times before reaching my definite choice.

It usually goes something like -

Starters: generally mussels (between Oct-March), squid, prawns or duck.
Entrees: steak (beef, bison, ostrich, kangaroo etc.) or fish - very rarely order chicken

I rarely have dessert but if I do it's either sorbet or cheesecake depending on how full I am.

Marco PW · 13-02-2008, 18:23

It depends on the place. If it's bog standard chinese then I'll go with dished I know I like, or if they have something different to the norm that looks nice I may try that. The same goes for Indians, I've tried most of them at least once so know which I like.

At other restaurants I just generally go for things I can't or don't cook at home.

tanstaafl · 13-02-2008, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge

When you go to your favourite restaurant or a new one, do you tend to pick the same/similar thing every time?

I tend to choose fillet steak (medium rare) and chips every time I go somewhere new, as it's the one thing I KNOW can never go wrong. A friend of mine is the same and always orders chicken caesar salad (no anchovies) wherever we go.

What about you? Are you more adventurous?

If I go for the steak then it does have to be fillet. Any other cut of steak tends have have a large element of luck in its quality.

And leaving the anchovies out of anything should be classed as a gastronomic crime.

TommyGavin76 · 13-02-2008, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanstaafl

If I go for the steak then it does have to be fillet. Any other cut of steak tends have have a large element of luck in its quality.

And leaving the anchovies out of anything should be classed as a gastronomic crime.

Depends where it is. I've had Rump Steak in a Michelin starred place and it was amazing.

The problem with Fillet is it has no fat on it and fat means flavour.

tanstaafl · 13-02-2008, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyGavin76

Depends where it is. I've had Rump Steak in a Michelin starred place and it was amazing.

The problem with Fillet is it has no fat on it and fat means flavour.

True, but as I really hate visible fat (except on bacon) . . .

However, fillet in a Beef Wellington - sheer ambrosia!

11-02-2008, 12:34	#1
Victoria Sponge Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Garage, GoT, Brasil & steak Posts: 10,505	Choosing from the menu - something new every time or same-old same-old When you go to your favourite restaurant or a new one, do you tend to pick the same/similar thing every time? I tend to choose fillet steak (medium rare) and chips every time I go somewhere new, as it's the one thing I KNOW can never go wrong. A friend of mine is the same and always orders chicken caesar salad (no anchovies) wherever we go. What about you? Are you more adventurous?

11-02-2008, 13:11	#2
TommyGavin76 Inactive Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,886	I eat everything and I mean everything. Normally at a restaurant I would gladly eat any item on the menu, but I nearly always have Fillet Steak if it's there.

11-02-2008, 13:11	#3
Kacey Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Birmingham Posts: 288	Depends on the restaurant - at my favourite Indian restaurants I tend to choose the same dishes - but thats because I visit the same few so often that I've tried most of the menu! In other types of restaurant I'm usually restricted to whats on offer for vegetarians unless I'm visiting my favourite veggie restaurants, whereby I'll try to choose something I've not had before. I do like to have something new where possible and I'm always pleased to see something I've never cooked myself.

11-02-2008, 13:27	#4
RAINBOWGIRL22 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 23,261	Depends on how I feel.... Sometimes I can take forever to pick something from the menu and other times I will know what I fancy before I even get there. Luckily my friends and BF always tend to try something new so if I am having an old faithful dish then I get to try theirs

11-02-2008, 13:35	#5
Minky_Bum Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,307	For me it depends where I go. If it's just a quick bite after the cinema or something then it'll probably be a pizza, and the same one as always : fiorentina. I If it's a bit more upmarket, I'll try something different but still along the safe road - e.g. if greek, it'll be a meze. If it's somewhere mega posh or overseas where I might not go again, I'd make sure I had something really different. For me, it would be a shame to go to a great restuarant as a one off, and order something that I could probably cook at home.

11-02-2008, 14:25	#6
Porcupine Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Suffolk Posts: 21,392	I always set off with good intentions to try something different whenever we go to our fav eatery .... but then nealry always hear the words 'steak and kidney pie' coming out of my mouth when i order !!

11-02-2008, 14:34	#7
Justabloke Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: up the stairs! Posts: 11,649	I always try something different from the menu unless I'm in a place I've been to so often/ for a long time in which case I can't order something new

11-02-2008, 15:00	#8
newkid30 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 7,477	I regularly try and order something different, and there have been alot of disasters, especially abroad.

11-02-2008, 17:45	#9
Ja'mie King Inactive Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: I am a girl! Posts: 7,333	I usually go for roughly the same things when I go out, but so does OH.

11-02-2008, 18:31	#10
Mariaella Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,295	I usually take ages to decide, then when I see other people's food, I wish I'd ordered what they're having instead!

11-02-2008, 18:36	#11
TommyGavin76 Inactive Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,886	Quote: Originally Posted by Mariaella I usually take ages to decide, then when I see other people's food, I wish I'd ordered what they're having instead! I once spotted a cracking looking meal in a Japanese restaurant and when they took my order pointed at the person and asked for what they were having.

11-02-2008, 20:27	#12
Minky_Bum Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,307	Quote: Originally Posted by Mariaella I usually take ages to decide, then when I see other people's food, I wish I'd ordered what they're having instead! The old dish envy. Hubby and I normally choose the best two dishes and share it anyway. All you see if forks of food being passed across . Best way to eat is sharing though IMO. Why I love tapas, mezes etc

12-02-2008, 11:46	#13
Espresso Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 17,127	If I go to a restaurant and they have whitebait, I will always order that. Always. I've only ever seen it as a starter - if it was up to me I'd have it for a starter, for main course and probably for pudding too! That's the only thing that I absolutely must have, if it's on a menu. Anything goes after that. Either we always go to really good restaurants or I'm so non-discerning that I'd eat a fried welly and pronounce it delicious; but I've never had a bad experience with trying new things. Last time my other half and I were out for dinner, I ordered the vegetarian option. Just because I liked the sound of it and I'd not had it before, not because I'm a vegetarian. It was gorgeous, too.

12-02-2008, 12:01	#14
fannyadams Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,060	Depends where I am eating and what's on the menu. Usually go with whatever I think sounds nicest. Also, I often ask the waiters what they recommend, and hope they are not palming me off with something they want to get rid of!!!

12-02-2008, 12:43	#15
shazzyfizz Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,210	Depends on whether I feel like healthy eating or comfort eating - When I was taken out for my birthday on Sunday I was feeling a bit decadent:and opted for the following: Beetroot and goats cheese salad Chicken with Calva Nero, Carrots & roast potatoes Banoffi Pie washed down with lots of sauvignon blanc Followed by a long nap

12-02-2008, 12:48	#16
Hogs Head Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 19,531	If I've been to a restaurant before and ordered something that I've loved - I guarantee the next time I'll go there, I'll order the same thing again. I just worry that I might order something else & it won't compare! So I order the same thing to ensure that I will enjoy it! I really must start being more adventurous and order other things too!

12-02-2008, 18:23	#17
alan29 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 20,497	I always eat someting I wouldn't cook at home. Alan

12-02-2008, 18:35	#18
TommyGavin76 Inactive Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,886	Quote: Originally Posted by Espresso If I go to a restaurant and they have whitebait, I will always order that. Always. I've only ever seen it as a starter - if it was up to me I'd have it for a starter, for main course and probably for pudding too! That's the only thing that I absolutely must have, if it's on a menu. Anything goes after that. Either we always go to really good restaurants or I'm so non-discerning that I'd eat a fried welly and pronounce it delicious; but I've never had a bad experience with trying new things. Last time my other half and I were out for dinner, I ordered the vegetarian option. Just because I liked the sound of it and I'd not had it before, not because I'm a vegetarian. It was gorgeous, too. I agree with you on that one! You seldom see Whitebait anymore so it's always first on my list. I've even convinced the missus to try it after her initial fears of eating whole fish.

12-02-2008, 20:02	#19
Beer Monster Banned User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: London Posts: 1,073	I always go for a steak, dunno why, i eat anything

13-02-2008, 16:32	#20
ice cream Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: In your head Posts: 670	Not adventurous at all. It's the same old same old for me. Prefer to stick to the foods that I know and like best.

13-02-2008, 16:59	#21
Midiboy Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 7,759	If it's Thai I always have Mussaman curry, if it's Indian then it's a chicken dhansak as they're my faves. Most other restaurants I'll check out the specials first, then take ages choosing and will change my mind several times before reaching my definite choice. It usually goes something like - Starters: generally mussels (between Oct-March), squid, prawns or duck. Entrees: steak (beef, bison, ostrich, kangaroo etc.) or fish - very rarely order chicken I rarely have dessert but if I do it's either sorbet or cheesecake depending on how full I am.

DS Forums

Choosing from the menu - something new every time or same-old same-old

13-02-2008, 18:23	#22
Marco PW Banned User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Davidson's hairy crack Posts: 82	It depends on the place. If it's bog standard chinese then I'll go with dished I know I like, or if they have something different to the norm that looks nice I may try that. The same goes for Indians, I've tried most of them at least once so know which I like. At other restaurants I just generally go for things I can't or don't cook at home.

13-02-2008, 18:28	#23
tanstaafl Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London Posts: 11,146	Quote: Originally Posted by Victoria Sponge When you go to your favourite restaurant or a new one, do you tend to pick the same/similar thing every time? I tend to choose fillet steak (medium rare) and chips every time I go somewhere new, as it's the one thing I KNOW can never go wrong. A friend of mine is the same and always orders chicken caesar salad (no anchovies) wherever we go. What about you? Are you more adventurous? If I go for the steak then it does have to be fillet. Any other cut of steak tends have have a large element of luck in its quality. And leaving the anchovies out of anything should be classed as a gastronomic crime.

13-02-2008, 18:35	#24
TommyGavin76 Inactive Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,886	Quote: Originally Posted by tanstaafl If I go for the steak then it does have to be fillet. Any other cut of steak tends have have a large element of luck in its quality. And leaving the anchovies out of anything should be classed as a gastronomic crime. Depends where it is. I've had Rump Steak in a Michelin starred place and it was amazing. The problem with Fillet is it has no fat on it and fat means flavour.

13-02-2008, 18:44	#25
tanstaafl Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London Posts: 11,146	Quote: Originally Posted by TommyGavin76 Depends where it is. I've had Rump Steak in a Michelin starred place and it was amazing. The problem with Fillet is it has no fat on it and fat means flavour. True, but as I really hate visible fat (except on bacon) . . . However, fillet in a Beef Wellington - sheer ambrosia!