Finding a good place to eat can be a really difficult task, especially if there is a group of you heading out for a meal together or you have children. Everyone will have their own preferences, and finding a place to suit all tastes is no mean feat. This list contains some of the things you might want to think about before booking a table.
Allergies and Intolerances
One of the most important things that you will need to think about is if anyone in the group has any allergies or intolerances. These can make it really difficult for people to find a pub or restaurant that can cater for their specific needs. One of the most common examples is gluten, which most pubs and restaurants can cater for. However, more specific allergies may mean that you have to seek out places that have special menus. Most restaurants and pubs will be able to cater for them if you let them know in advance.
The Menu
The menu is a very important element when deciding where to eat. Most pubs will display their menu online for you to view beforehand, such as the hole in the wall Menu. They regularly update their menu to include events and deals that are happening. It may be a good idea to get everyone to look at the menu and choose what they want before you arrive. You could give the pub your order when you are booking the table if you are a large party, which will help them to speed up service and plan for you on the night.
Vegans and Vegetarians
Just like with allergies and intolerances, making sure that there are appropriate vegan and vegetarian options on the menu is really important. Most places are pretty good at catering for this, but others that are specialists in a certain type of food may not have as many exciting options on the menu for vegans and vegetarians. The other option you may want to consider is heading to a vegan or vegetarian restaurant. This can be a great way to experience new dishes, and it can be good to cut meat out of your diet from time to time.
Distance from Home
If you plan on being able to have a few drinks with your meal, you will need to think about who is driving and how far away from home you are. If you plan on getting a cab home, you want to choose somewhere that’s close enough to not require a huge taxi fare. If you are out with a group, you may be able to share the cost of a cab home, which can soften the blow.
Events on the Night
Finally, if you are heading to a pub or restaurant that regularly hosts events and or live music, you might want to know if there’s anything on before you arrive. If you have a date or a want a quiet family meal, it’s not going to be ideal if there are rock covers playing all night. On the other hand, this can be a great way to add some excitement to an evening, and you may want to actively find somewhere that has some entertainment to enjoy after your meal.