They thought everyone did this!

Ill look when deciding where to go but certainky dont choose because there night be a specials board.
And anyway I will probably have looked at several places so wont remember what each one was offering

I think it increases the fun to start thinking about what you might eat beforehand, kind of extends the time the experience lasts

I read on arrival as I change my mind so often. X

I will check the online menu as I am something of a fussy eater, also have some allergies, but don't make up my mind what to eat until I am at the restaurant.

I pretty much have the same Chinese/Indian meal.
But when out with friends I read the menu.

Just asked my 23 year old. She looked astounded and said of COURSE she does.

All part of the experience apparently

Christmas work meals usually involve having to look /choose what you're going to eat.

Otherwise no. I'm not particularly fussy

I look at the menu online (if poss) to see what gluten free choices are available.

I always make sure there is something on the menu my teeth can cope with.

I sometimes look beforehand, but usually I open the menu, choose the first thing I see that I know I would like, then close it again. I ask the waiter to recommend a wine to go with it. I usually only manage half anyway, and take the other half home for next day's lunch. I must try and remember to ask if they do half portions

I look online, if the menu is available, just so that I can have a good idea of what I might like. I find that when we are sat around the table in a restaurant, having a drink, and chatting, I don't get to look at the menu properly and everyone ends up waiting ages for me to choose!

It has never occurred to me to look at the menu on line before getting to the restaurant but after reading these posts I studied our local pub’s menu before meeting friends there tonight for a meal and decided before arriving what I would order. What a great idea - I am usually so distracted and interested in chatting when we get seated I end up ordering the first thing I see when the waitress starts hovering - plus I didn’t have to rummage for my reading glasses to read the menu in bad lighting. Much better!

I like to look at the menu beforehand to get an idea of what they do. I never actually choose until I’ve seen the full menu and specials. I really dislike going to dinners where you have to choose every course weeks before.

Oh, I have just been out for a meal tonight, and looked at the menu on line beforehand, and was a bit disappointed, and thought what on earth am I going to eat, as I don't really fancy anything.
However, when they brought the menu out this evening , it had completely different things on it, so the other one may just have been a sample menu. It was similar quality food, but different, if you know what I mean!
I had the most delicious venison in red wine casserole with mashed potatoes and winter vegetables. (And shared a bottle of red with two other guests!)
After late DH had his stroke he found menus complicated and tricky to read, so it really helped to look at it online and take him through it beforehand.

I had a look, it all looks delicious but yes, I will wait to see if there is a 'specials' board too, minimoon

Never choose in advance- unless requested to do so for a group event.

I usually look at online menus to check that there’s enough for me to choose from as I’m pescatarian. Something might appeal but I choose when I’m there, usually very quickly.

I sometimes look at the sample menus online.
Often though, I just go and expect to be delighted with what's on offer.
How can you decide beforehand, when you haven't seen the specials board?

I always check for gf offerings but have been caught out when a menu says 'gluten free option available' as that sometimes just means that they hold back any gluten containing ingredients- like gravy or toast with pate.

If I'd looked I'd have forgotten by the time I got there I've even forgettenwhat I've ordered for husband's works Christmas do!

I'm vegetarian so generally check beforehand. I like to know that there is more than one veggie item.
I will often try the board for the dish of the day once I'm there.

I must make sure the restaurant I have booked for a family party is vegan friendly.

Assuming it’s a good restaurant as opposed to a Steak House or Indian, a nice fish dish, something I wouldn’t cook myself. Whichever restaurant I go to, a meal that is worse than I can do myself is not acceptable, an upmarket place that does that is going to get a 1 star review, a steak house usually does a good meal without frills.

This idea has never occurred to me! I just go along and see the day's menu.

If I'm going somewhere new I like to look at the menu to see what sort of food is on offer. If I'm going out with my grandsons then I definitely need to know that the restaurant understands and caters for allergies; two of my grandsons have very severe sesame allergies.

I’ll look at the menus to see if they’ve got a good choice at a price I like but I don’t choose in advance - I see what I’m in the mood for once I get there