They gave me a Doggy Bag !

I wonder if my friend can give me a doggy bag when we go for dinner? She is a great cook but puts out huge portions, I have politely asked for a smaller portion to no avail. Two courses are more than enough for me but she does three plus a cheese board. I normally eat half the starter and half the main course. Last time we went I declined the dessert and she was rather put out as she had obviously put a lot of time and effort in to making it. Of course we all have different appetites I just wish I could get my friend to see that without her taking offence.

A few years back DH and I went for tea which consisted of dainty sandwiches, scones with cream and jam and a slice of cake with a pot of tea. Even a greedy guts like me couldn't finish it so we accepted the doggy bags so we could enjoy the cake later. It was lovely but filling.

This thread has been a revelation to me!
I thought I was the only person with a small appetite.
Sometimes, if it’s possible, I have a starter as a main course. But there’s always someone who says, “Is that all you’re having?”

I don't see why we should have to do that Ladyleftfieldlover it is surely not beyond the wit of restaurant staff to prepare smaller plates of food. Seems the customer's wishes are not high on their agenda.

OH actually asked for a doggy bag recently. We had been to Cote and he foolishly had a pate starter, which was almost the size of a house brick! So when his Main course arrived - half a chicken - he asked for most of it in a doggy bag. They were happy to do this. He has recently had a hernia op a d it seems that he can’t eat as much as he used to. When we went out for lunch yesterday he had two starters and a pudding.

I rarely leave enough to bother with a doggy bag but I would have no problem with taking my left over food home. I was rather surprised when eating at a restaurant with a large group of people, some good friends but I did not know everyone. One lady I had not met before just picked at her food saying she had a very small appetite. She asked for some foil to wrap up her meat to take home but then proceeded to go round the table asking if she could also have their left overs. She was quite open that the food was for her, no pretence that it was for the dog! Not only that but she also left early leaving cash for her share - it wasn’t until the bill came that we realised that she had not paid for her drinks or for her desert!

What a cheapskate!

I think calls have been made for takeaway boxes for leftovers to be available as a matter of course. It's very wasteful the way things are at present. I'm with Redhead a large plate of food is off putting for me, my husband always serves gravy in small jugs on the side. ( I love gravy ).
I don't see why smaller portions should be restricted to older people, there must be many people who prefer small meals. I really don't see a problem for kitchen staff, it's the same meal just less of it.
I always carry plastic bags with me and take home anything suitable for our dogs.

We usually buy from the seniors menu but it is only available at lunchtime not in the evening. Sometimes I get 2 entrees instead of a main meal.

I cannot stand a massive plate of food put in front of me it puts me off straight away. If a gravy or sauce comes with a meal I like it served separately in a little jug not poured over it. I like banquet mezze or tapas small plates with lots of choice. It’s my preferred way to eat when we go out. The few restaurants we do eat at are very happy to wrap food to take away.

We’ve never been refused a ‘doggy bag’ one bag was literally for the dog, scraps of steak left on plates and they were very happy to do it, in one restaurant the foil bag was in the shape of a swan!

I went out for a meal on Saturday with my daughter and granddaughter. They both ordered pizzas which were huge, also a big bowl of beautiful chips. The restaurant gave them boxes, before they asked, to take the leftovers home. Most places will do this if you ask. We've even done it in Wetherspoons!

I do wish they weren't called 'doggy bags'. We use them to pick up the poo!

It`s strange how it tastes better in the comfort of your own home.

I find it very off-putting to plough through a huge plateful but apparently make no inroads into it. I actively avoid restaurants and cafes that offer huge helpings.

I agree entirely. However, most restaurants do a "seniors" menu here in Germany. (There is also usually a kiddies menu) I think they avoid richer and spicier food, too. I have no compunction asking to take the rest home if I did order a normal-sized portion and they always oblige with a smile.

In America, they will offer you a "box" even before you ask. Some will even give you the box so that you can pick out which bits you want to take. I once had one that did me three further meals!

I've never been able to eat restaurant sized portions and it amazes me where people put it all. Why do they give you such a mountain of chips for example? No wonder there's an obesity crisis. No-one needs that much food. I wish as a previous poster suggested that you could ask for small portions. I hate to see food wasted. Doggy bags are a great idea, but they don't do them everywhere.

I wish mine had ( decreased I mean) I could still eat for England

My appetite has decreased but unfortunately my weight hasn't! The Chinese waiter actually put the food in microwave containers so it's easy peasy

Will you be eating the Chinese meal cold ? Greenfinch

Glad we are not the only ones with small appetites. We used to eat the lot, prawn cocktail, chicken in the basket or steak and chips, followed by Black Forest gateau. Plus the wine. What piglets we were.

We had exactly the same experience NanKate today. We had a meal for two at our local rather upmarket Chinese restaurant. I was amazed when the waiter asked us if we would like to take the rest home.That's tomorrow sorted!

I quite often have two starters instead of a starter and a main.

Kali good idea shame about the ‘Seniors’! They could just call them smaller portions!

Many places do “ light bites”, but not usually in the evening.

I can eat a lot less than I used to. One of our local restaurants has a lunchtime menu option for 'Seniors' - smaller portions and a bit cheaper.

Same here. I ask for a doggy bag, as I enjoy it more later at home. I don’t really enjoy eating out, especially if we are out with other people, another of my social phobias.