Where to eat
Comments
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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If any of you happen to be in Quimper next summer the Bar Iode will give you a good lunch. Even fish and chips, which is all the rage in France these days.
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On a month long trip, we might eat out perhaps three or four times but generally we, well actually OH, cook in the van. In my defence in these egalitarian times, my responsibilities are logistical planning, navigation and driving.
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When 'living' away in Europe we cycle all over and it's a treat to find a local hostelry and sample a bit of the local fare...incl the vin.
as ET shows, we would then be eating far cheaper (and differently) than when we are touring at home..We do cook in the van however, it is nice to call into a pub and have something nice for the journey back.
last week, we were in Brockenhurst and made use of last year's Christmas present from our son and partner...a three course dinner at The Pig....just the pre dinner drinks and wine cost more than we would normally spend on the whole meal....a nice threat though.
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My sister in law recently went to The Pig in Brockenhurst, she lives fairly near. I don't think they paid but when I looked at the menu I did think it was a bit over priced especially the wine! Might have to stick to the Snake Catcher next time we are in Brockenhurst
David
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We would have a cereal breakfast and a meal out every day except for a Saturday evening and that would be a Chinese Take Away. It was budgeted for in our holidays. On rare occasions we would have a Barbecue, as we both worked until we were 68 because we wanted to it was our treat.
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For anyone staying at the club's Carnon Downs site (or nearby Carnon Wallos) or just visiting Trellisick, we always used to recommend The Punchbowl and Ladle at Penellewey. But it changed hands a couple of years ago and wasn't as good though it may have improved again now, so must give it another chance.
But just a little further down the A39, in the village of Devoran, is The Old Quay Inn which we visited for the first time today and will certainly return. The place was absolutely heaving absolutely heaving at lunchtime but we still managed to get served very quickly. Good beer and food and very dog friendly too.
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We had lunch today at a local farmshop, hadn't been for awhile and it's totally transformed itself into a food heaven whilst still surrounded by "rustic" appendages like sheds full of farming machinery and it's a busy farm. We had some very tasty food. Dog friendly. There's GF food available and it's an excellent stop off from the A303, very easy for cars & motorhomers. Rural Somerset at it's best! It's close to the turn for Crewkerne, accessed from both sides of the A303.
If you're interested here's a LINK to the Old Dairy Cafe, Bower Hinton nr Martock.
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Thanks Brue, one to note👍
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Couple of places to note following our recent stay near Ludlow.
We used to buy some nice food from Ludlow Farm Shop (on A49 just north of Ludlow exit) when in the area so stopped en route to our cottage to stock up and have a coffee. The experience was very disappointing. The coffee was the worst I've had in a long time and the deli no longer exists. The butchery does but we weren't interested in that. Cheese counter was ok but overall the impression was it isn't as good as it used to be and we wouldn't now make an effort to call in.
Better experience having a meal at The Maidenhead which lies on the B4361 near Orleton, about 2 miles off the A49. Might be useful to anyone staying at the AS Morris Leisure site or any of the local CLs in the area. Excellent food and they also catered well for my GF requirements, even having a locally produced Bitter from Hobsons.
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If anyone visiting Coventry for any particular reason I can recommend The Golden Lion situated near the Cathedral. AC16th. pub, laid back, good local beers on tap and ALL the food is Gluten Free. Plenty of Dairy Free available as well.
A few diners in there didn't need GF but pronounced themselves well satisfied.
We enjoyed our meals.
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