Screw icky table service. Picked up a steak for tonight.

One of the very few things I miss about business travel in Europe. I made a bunch of close acquaintances over the years there and we'd linger over dinner for hours.

We did too. 2 lbs, still have have over half left over. Cabernet reduction was perfect.


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A local Italian restaurant is open for walk in business today for mother's day . My wife and I have eaten there many times the food is always good . I gave my wife the option of dining in or take out . She just told me she wants to be safe and go take out . So for now we will continue with distancing .

On the news this morning it was stated that GA. Has tested over 235,000 folks and trends are going down . The state will continue to test and react accordingly based on test results . I hope the trends continue in the right direction .

what world do you live in where everything is so absolute? 2-3 kids? a decade? really?

very weird

and no I don't have kids and if I did, I would still eat in restaurants. As I said, I eat out at LUNCH time during the work week. What would having kids have to do with that, money? I have plenty of friends my age that had kids and still ate out a lot during the past decade

My parents had 3 kids and we ate out a lot. Yes, I fortunately grew up in a family that was well off financially so that's probably where I developed the love of good food and fine dining but we also went out for a pizza and not always crab legs

you know, its possible to spend less than $75 and 2 hours eating out? One of my favorite lunch places cost me $8 and takes about 30 minutes whenever I go there

I rarely spend more than $15 on lunch, occasionally $25 when it involves a meal that deserves a glass of wine

just because someone likes to eat out, does not mean they are always talking about an overpriced steakhouse

----I love steak and have never once in my life ordered a steak at a restaurant. I like to get things I cant easily make at home

Most Gen X folks (and millennials) seem to eat out constantly (even those with kids). I could never afford to at that age (and other patrons were far less tolerant of kids...so you had to get a sitter). Personally, I don't know how they can afford it now..as even though we are pretty well off...I find the prices crazy. Although my money seems to come pretty easily now, that was not always the case. I rarely even get fast food unless they have some sort of sale/special. It adds up...and there are plenty of other things I can invest in that do not pass in a day.

I'm 45, which apparently makes me part of the Gen X cohort. There are many people who cannot afford to eat out who are my age, but I have no idea where you get this idea that it is, in general terms, unaffordable for someone my age who is above, say, the 40% percentile of income to eat out.

I learned a while back not to paint with such broad strokes. Generalizations are rarely correct coming from me.

I’m s Gen -X. My circles, come from all walks of life. Way different family styles. Singles, “DINKS” married w 5 kids, 1 kid, and equally difference tax brackets. Way different.

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Generalizing is done because it's the ONLY way to recognize patterns in behavior. Otherwise, you're just not learning anything.

Are there generalizations to be made about my generation? Of course. But to say there are people who "don't fit" the stereotype is like "No *****, Sherlock"

I'm a Gen X-er, my girl is a Millennial 100%, and I employ a ton of Post-Millennials. At least a few dozen. I think we really need a better term than "Post-Millennials". One of the strongest generalizations I can draw about the PMs is that they are well-educated. Their millennial parents made sure they stayed in school, had good nutrition early in life, and were super involved in their activities like music, sports, etc. They are in general not as religious either.

(Nicely done Shaun. I would trust your reviews any day. At that price it ought to be right)

I think the last time I had an 8oz steak in a restaurant was a year or two ago. I don't know how some people can make a regular habit of it along with so many other bills, but who am I to judge. Even Taco Bell is creeping up to $9 meals. For sugar water soy filler and corn. No way. I was going to treat myself the other day and just kept on driving through. A $12 full slab of ribs from Aldi makes at least two large meals and a sandwich and heats the house in the winter.

One our favorite restaurants is The Vintage Press Restaurante in Visalia, CA.

It just NEVER gets old for us, including the 13-y.o. We are counting the days when we can go back for dinner.

https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x80952f66cb4bd927%3A0x9460091264f9 f781!3m1!7e115!4shttps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleuserconte nt.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOxr3vDX-3VKNKq1cv2sT3Mub-WKdLf09CQkei-%3Dw372-h280-k-no!5s%22the%20vintage%20press%22%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipO xr3vDX-3VKNKq1cv2sT3Mub-WKdLf09CQkei-&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi7j-jfqqrpAhUMKa0KHTOSBo4QoiowDHoECBEQBg

No Kidding. Generally speaking, I would have put a lot more of the posters here in the boomer bracket.

If you are in the 40% and can take a family out to a nice restaurant several times a week, I simply don't know how you do it and fund your retirement, children's education, etc. Those that I know that do have little or no savings, etc. Good for you.

You obviously manage your money much better than I do...as I could not. Even at the top 1 or 2%.

Dude, where the hell are you eating? Last time I laid down that kind of cash for a meal in a restaurant, it was accompanied by several cocktails. And I live in an expensive CA coastal city.

I'm a millennial and I love eating out, especially in my neighborhood. I miss seeing my banh mi lady and her husband, the young waiter guy at my indian place, the chick who works the front at the Taiwanese breakfast joint near my house. I miss kicking back with a copy of the New Yorker at Langer's, throwing down a pastrami sandwich and a chocolate malt while I people-watch. Getting loose with some friends over pitchers of ice cold Korean beer and spicy chicken wings, watching people go nuts over the Dodgers. Sitting on a street curb next to a taco truck listening to blaring Mexican tracks and sizzling meat. Trying to figure out if the cute girl who waits tables at the hot chicken place digs you particularly or is just really friendly.

Eating out is a community thing, a way to spend time with friends and people around you. The other day I picked up dumplings and noodle soup at one of my favorite places, and even with a bandana on my face and motorcycle helmet on, the waitress recognized me. Made my day to feel a little more connected to the people and society around me. I'd be really sad if their little spot went out of business.

I'd tip them 20% even if the service was mediocre -- if they got paid a living wage, the prices would be 20% higher anyway, and I've got better things to do than worry if my ass is being kissed sufficiently enough to drop an extra few bucks in the direction of a guy making minimum wage.

Maybe some of you guys need to venture outside steakhouses? Or places that put an emphasis on ostentatious service? Many of the cheap, local joints I go to have pretty spotty service, but you quickly learn that that's not the point. I prefer that to some fancy places where the waiter's interrupting you every 5 minutes to tell you a story about the wine or tell you the names of the cows who graze next to the field where they grow the arugula you're eating.

Not saying that there's anything wrong with eating at home, but talking about eating out with table service like it's always some kind of pointless waste of time and money blows my mind a little bit.

If anything, I feel like my peer group is even more inclined to eat out. Massive pandemic killing people, the second huge recession in a decade, ridiculous inequality, unaffordable healthcare...would rather live it up a bit with my friends now than dump every dime I have into some mortgage or physical possession that can become meaningless the second you get bad news from a doctor.

Generally speaking, this probably doesn't jibe with the outlook of some of the posters here. "I miss seeing my banh mi lady and her husband, the young waiter guy at my indian place, the chick who works the front at the Taiwanese breakfast joint near my house. I miss kicking back with a copy of the New Yorker at Langer's, throwing down a pastrami sandwich and a chocolate malt while I people-watch. Getting loose with some friends over pitchers of ice cold Korean beer and spicy chicken wings, watching people go nuts over the Dodgers. Sitting on a street curb next to a taco truck listening to blaring Mexican tracks and sizzling meat". Meat and potatoes can be a frame of mind.
Personally, I can't imagine not having our ethnically diverse dining and cultural scene.

Yeah, I realize not everyone has the same choices, but I still think there's a community aspect to it...even in the tiny town I grew up in, the restaurants were places that people gathered and hung out. Waiters and cooks at those places watched me and my brothers grow up while I watched them start families of their own.

I think that's the real tragedy of seeing so many small businesses go under. Just don't get the same vibe at a Buffalo Wild Wings.

But I suppose you're right -- easier to miss it when there's so much to miss.

I haven't missed it one bit, but it was easy.
Didn't dine in much.

I dont know what is going on with your steaks, Shuan, but that doesn't look right to me.

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She made this while I tended the fire.

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Mothers day for her and her sister. I served and bussed.

Great day.

I totally agree with you. I would bet most are boomers, as in more than 50%.

We're talking about "table service", not some $9 curbside hipster kimchi taco truck
A basic "table service" meal is $75 even in a backwoods rural shack.

$6 soup or salad, $15 Burger, $5 Beer = $26
Then you pay for the wife = $26
Share a desert = $7
That's $59.
Add tax, and you're at $64
20% for the plate carrier = $12

Total $76 for basically a burger.
I could have been just as happy eating a $1 can of tuna.

And sure, I could only order the burger and have a glass of water.
In that case, it would be about $40 for me to eat a burger.

Still a massive 10x waste of money. And time.
Blows my mind some people actually make a habit of this.

Can't tell if this is a joke. Sorry to break it to you, but these are not your friends. Did you call or email or text any of these "scenery" people during this quarantine? No? How do you miss people you literally don't even know on any meaningful level. If you died, they would not even notice.

Some folks must live on a different orb than I do....

Can't tell if this is a joke.

Now I'm wondering how good ice cold Korean beer is.

Absolutely miss going out to restaurants. I'm a Gen-Xer, DINK, own one car outright, mine is company provided. Extremely reasonable mortgage, not much else in terms of expenses. I live in a walk-able area, and miss heading to the local bar/restaurant Saturday morning when they're fairly empty. I get a couple of beers, and a pizza. Eat half the pizza, and give the rest to my FIL who lives next door. Bartender is cute, and the staff know me, and we usually chat up about various things.

Miss dinners out with the wife too. We don't usually go to steak houses, but bill is typically slightly over $100. Not a dessert person, but cocktails are expensive going out. Again, we frequent similar places, and like chatting up with the staff, or friends we see out.

80%+

Based on some of these responses I’m starting to think that the lockdown hasn’t really impacted many of your daily lives.:p

It has mine, I'm busier than ever. Even with two technicians we can't keep up.

way better on paper. my local Korean place..and there is only ONE of them. they serve local brews. thank goodness. HITE? OB? i have moved on from them. i dont think i have even had a Chinese beer for a decade.

Not sure if he has but I have and most of them I count as friends. They know pretty much what I like and I can tell you way more about their families than I should.
Interesting people in all walks really. Several of our local go to's have actually checked up on us.
We met this guy as a "kid" in a restaurant in Bali twenty some years ago and now he has a whole family we know. We still talk with him and his family on a regular basis and get together every time we go back. BTW, he also reached out to check on us.

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So your previous post about a filet you picked up was for two also and included sides in that 10 minute meal?

Yeah, I miss fine dining. I can cook as well as what I get in a restaurant but the food's just part of the experience.

I'd say I am surprised at some of the curmudgeons here but that would be a lie. From previous threads on clothing, shoes, cologne usage, haircuts and a dozen other things I have figured out that my expectations and goals are different than most of the herd here.

When the day comes, I'll spend my last nickel, not whine about it.

i'm with Java.

i have had some great meals at restaurants. i have ate a few and thought to myself, "i think i can make this". i will then proceed to grill the server. one time, i asked a server and vaporlocked her. she had no clue. the chef came out and talked to me about it. he gave me some clues on his tomato Bisque!! he was super cool.

i have had oyster shucking lessons right there at the meal, one guy took me back and showed me his braised turkey legs in action. it was way easier than i thought. this was in SF. a famous hofbrau. lately this one place had an awesome mac/cheese. the chef told me it was simple. i said, "i taste chicken broth"..he laughed at me and agreed. he made me promise to bring him a plate of mine. i havent yet.

restaurants can be a blast. letting the table next to you taste an appetizer, etc. make it fun. i am not checking off this planet being a loner.

We were sitting around talking about the stock market and some amazing growth stock once and my brother’s best friend said, “too bad I invested all of my money in restaurant meals... :)

That’s pretty much my mantra. Going out to eat at awesome restaurants w friends and living in a great city is such an integral part of life to me...I just could not imagine forgoing it. What are we all working for if not to enjoy life? A base model Kia will get you to some miserable job every day just as well as a Porsche, what’s the point?

Agreed with Denis. Had a great dinner with another couple on Friday night, awesome time even though the restaurant was trying to shake off some major cobwebs. Similarly had a wonderful Mother’s Day brunch with another family on Sunday. It’s not just about good food, it’s about spending time with friends. To me that’s worth every penny.

most excellent

I’m just barely a boomer, I guess. I am okay with affordable joints, defining that as up to $25/person including drink, especially if I can’t make it at home. Get much above that and I start having thoughts like “this is something I’m not going to do again for a while”. I’ve no problem spending $300 on ingredients for a dinner party and opening a couple 20 year old wines for guests, but if I spend that on a restaurant bill, it better be a meal I’m still reliving in my head years later.

I'm not sure of what to do...when finally entering a restaurant.
Seems like more than a year since dining in one.

And I can't wait.

There is actually a Chinese beer called "China Beer". It's not bad. When Spencer's market in Morro Bay used to be called Gong's Market, they carried it in the store. I think it was one guy trying to import beer from China into the USA and slapping in English label on the bottle. My dad met the guy and he gave us one case of his beer and we bought probably another two or three cases because Dad like to the guy.

I find Asian beers to taste the best at above 90% humidity and/or in the company of spicy food. (Though there are some pretty good microbreweries coming up in vietnam and taiwan!)

Spent a couple weeks riding around SE Asia and developed quite a taste for BeerLao, but I've never tried it in the US because I don't think it would translate.

Same for Korean beer -- probably would never buy a sixer on my own, but when splitting a cheap pitcher with friends and using it to cool my mouth off after some spicy wings, really hits the spot. Horses for courses, I guess.

Step back for a little second.

He's sofa king busy he cant be bothered to go out to eat. Plus, he's a self proclaimed industrious SOB, along with his friends. His friends, like him, know what's important in their station.

Yet he pisses massive time away on this old guy forum with a heavy slant on arguing, belittling and laying down his "absolutes".

It's a lie.

He's like Tabs without credibility.

A troll.