Where to eat

I'm a grump on this one, If you eat out it costs a fortune, especially when you add a decent drink. I love cooking and to be honest how often have you eaten something better than you can cook yourself. We take a lot with us and then buy good fresh local produce, so we are putting something into the local economy. Does anybody else bother going to the same lengths when away or do they eat out most of the time.

 

Colin

We very rarely eat out when away in the van,,normally,  only when visiting others

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I am no cook so I have to be careful what I say!!!! But I appreciate that Margaret does appreciate the odd day off cooking now and again whilst away. Whilst I don't suppose we eat out a lot but we do try and have the odd meal out when we are away. I think also it allows you to try different cuisines which are probably more difficult to recreate, especially in the van!!!! So depending on where we are we do try and eat our at least once during a trip away. Especially nice if there is no driving involved so the whole experience can be enjoyed. I am not bothered whether it is a branded restaurant or something more exotic. Not hobby related but last weekend we went out with a family gathering to a Tapas Bar which was a bit different. JVB might appreciate this as it is housed in one of the former Wolverton Railway Works buildings?

David

I do a lot of cooking, always have done. If I didn't have to do other household tasks I'd be happy in the kitchen cooking food every day. I nearly did it as a career but had a change of mind. I love a good meal out, both ordinary or more special. I had a lovely dessert at a good hotel recently, far more elaborate than I'd attempt at home. All  cooks need a break!  

Next week it will be mince pie time...I prefer home cooked ones, but after making 3-4 dozen I'll be glad to have a coffee and cake in a cafe. 

I don’t think anyone is a grump for thinking before eating out, with the price of any drinks added it can get pricey. Even fish and chips are becoming expensive. I have also had meals out where I have thought that I could cook better myself. However, when meeting up with friends I often enjoy a meal out, not just for the food but the company and often the ambiance of some places. Even a bbq takes some prep, so nice to meet friends in a more relaxed way. At our static we have often suggested the local Indian restaurant, now friends who have been with us always suggest going back there as a first option. It’s called Aladdin’s, and is just outside Stratford Upon Avon on the Tiddington road. Excellent food and service. Also we have taken to converting our Tesco Clubcard points into vouchers for some restaurants, it’s rather limited but worth exchanging for meals out when we are away.

Eating out, either at home or on holiday, is a treat for us. We prefer to go to somewhere we know is very good occasionally, than more frequently to (for example) basic Pub Grub. 

I can't say I enjoy cooking - It's just something that has to be done, day in day out. Farmers and hungry teenagers want something hot and filling at 12:30  5 days a week, so my usual meal plan revolves round roasts and various casserole type meals. All of which have to be ready if someone puts their head round the door at 12 and says "how long will dinner be?", or sit in the bottom Aga oven for an hour if they're late.

Weekends there's just the two of us, so it's easier and I have been known to make a bit of an effort.

It's the thinking and planning that sometimes gets me down.

Goldie, worse than ‘how long will dinner be’ in my book is, ‘what’s for dinner’, Sigh. 

I love it when we are asked to my cousins for a meal, she is an amazing cook and never disappoints, main or desert. However, I had to laugh when I recently complimented her on this and her husband said, ‘ yes but you don’t know how many disasters I have had to endure to get a good one’. They sometimes put their foot in it don’t they, and if looks could kill. Still it made me feel less inadequate.

We have been known to do a 6 week tour around bits of the UK and not eat once, relying on cooking for ourselves. However when we take the Mother-in-Law with us to a cottage we'll eat out 3 or 4 times in the week a she insists that I have some down time from cooking.

I must admit that I enjoy cooking but hate the planning, made worse by this dratted allergy that started 6 years ago. The 2 Ladies both eat the same as myself so no having to cook 2 lots of different recipes or use different ingredients.

I really don't see the difference in having a meal when away on tour or in a cottage from buying local produce. Both support the local economy, even eating in a national owned pub or restaurant provides wages for local people.

and not eat once

Obviously that is rather a restrictive diet.😱

It should read "and not eat out once"