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So lay in my hotel bed now, the tribe asleep, full bellys all round, but, we've just been involved in a meal that's cost my sister nearly 800 quid. Her other halfs 40th, surprise "do" etc etc.
30 people there of which 8 were kids, Italian restaurant oop north, very nice it was but its just food, I've never got the whole "going out for a meal thing"
That's only £30 a head. You'd spend the same money in Pizza Express if you have alcohol.
It's not just about the sustenance though; the experience is part of it as well.
Spent more than that on a meal for 4 last year!
Sounds like good value. Did you all have a good time? That's the main thing.
And yes, have been treated to a fine dining experience which was nearly that much for four! (It was amazing but I wouldn't have spent that much). Don't forget though - everyone likes to spend their money differently.
If the meal fed and watered 22 adults & 8 kids in comfortable surroundings with attentive but not obtrusive service then that's only £36 a head, seems perfectly acceptable to me and i hope a tip was left by everyone if the service was decent. I tend to judge a meal out wi the reasoning "could i have done better?", quite often in Dumfries and Galloway the answer is "yes" - in which case i do not return to the restaurant in question, on the very rare occasions we go up to Glasgow to our fav restaurants for a meal then the answer is usually "No" - and it is worth whatever the bill comes to which is very rarely over £60-£70 a head (wine included) so not that expensive in the grand scheme of eating out which as it only happens a few times a year it is an expense and experience i'm happy to pay for.
There is only perhaps 2 or 3, perhaps 4 at a push restaurants in this area (see above) that i would choose or desire to go to for a meal out and friends own & run two of them and the other two i know the chefs that work there so we're pretty much guaranteed a good meal and service.
Saying that i much prefer having a meal up at a mates house, he used to run a very nice restaurant and can cope with having 14-16 folk round for a meal and a cracking night in which makes for a more lively and social gathering with the most amazing food possible and good company in private surroundings which makes all the difference.
Which restaurant? As said £30 per head is ok especially if that includes drinks. Though I expect the focus was on having everyone together and having a good time, rather than focusing on the food, as of that were the case Your sis could have taken the fella somewhere posh and spent that on a meal for 2.
Some people get all uppity when they hear of folk spending £lots on food, as 'its only food' as others will say 'it's only a push bike' or 'its only a coffee machine/woodburner/knife/whatever expensive thing stw is lusting over this week' but it your money, spend it on what you like. I like bikes and food, so I spend a high percentage of my disposable cash on it. You may like hookers and blow..... Your money, your choice.
somafunk - Member
There is only perhaps 2 or 3, perhaps 4 at a push restaurants in this area (see above) that i would choose or desire to go to for a meal out and friends own & run two of them and the other two i know the chefs that work there so we're pretty much guaranteed a good meal and service.
Could you give us a clue?
We struggled a bit to find somewhere that got consitantly good recommendations when up there last year.
Ta in advance.
That's about normal fare for a reasonable meal and booze.
I think it's all about expectations. I've been to double Michelin starred restaurants and had meals that cost a king's ransom for Kobe beef and Fugu, and it was a nice meal because I was expecting so.
Best meal I've ever had was a just-off-the-main-street Italian* that did a selection of starters, butter-fried veal, king prawn risotto, God's own tiramisu, each course washed down with a variety of limoncello-based sorbets, a few bottles of Moretti, for the price of a taxi there and back again.
*La Terazza, Sharrowvale Road, Sheffield, if you're asking.
[url= http://www.littleitalydumfries.co.uk/ ]Little Italy Dumfries[/url] belongs to a mate, booking essential and tell Rab (the owner, you'll meet him at front of house) that kenny says you've to get a free bottle of wine.....i give it 5 mins after that and i'll be getting a phonecall from him calling me all the bsartards under the sun and what the **** do i think i'm doing etc....etc....
[url= http://www.hartfellhouse.co.uk/ ]The Limetree Restaurant Moffat[/url], Matt only cook with what's in season and is fanatical with regard to the standards of the produce he will accept to cook with, no one is more critical of his food than himself, a bit of a drive out of Dumfries but well worth it.
[url= http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186516-d1932036-Reviews-Kirkpatrick_s_Restaurant-Kirkcudbright_Dumfries_and_Galloway_Scotland.html ]Tom Kirkpatricks Restaurant Kirkcudbright[/url], another drive from Dumfries but in my home town and well worth the journey, It may not look like much from the outside being perched above a cafe but believe me he is an exceptionally adept chef who's skill gets folk travelling down from Glasgow to eat here, and he is very down to earth despite chef'ing for some true/genuine celebs etc , I've never heard of a bad review nor someone unhappy with their meal from him.
[url= http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186516-d1747373-Reviews-Castle_Restaurant-Kirkcudbright_Dumfries_and_Galloway_Scotland.html ]Castle Restaurant Kirkcudbright[/url], Paul (and his wife fiona) is another exceptionally talented chef and runs a small but very cosy Restaurant and has exceptional waiting staff, all local sourced produce of the highest quality at very reasonable prices.
[url= http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186513-d2434289-Reviews-Daksh-Dumfries_Dumfries_and_Galloway_Scotland.html ]Daksh Indian Dumfries[/url] is good, not the usual Indian slurry curry that every other Indian restaurant in Dumfries serves up but well thought dishes with individual flavours and spices, not quite as good as some of the Indian restaurants in Glasgow but well worth a visit.
[url= http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g635934-d1717945-Reviews-Del_amitri-Annan_Dumfries_and_Galloway_Scotland.html ]Del Amitri Annan[/url], we haven't tried this one out personally but i've only heard very good things about it so it's firmly on our to-do list before easter.
There's not many in Dumfries as such but if you don't mind travelling then you'll be spoiled by the experience
Personaly I think Pizza Express is near the sweet spot for VFM / quality / consistency dining wise, but then I'm not that into food.