We find the expectation of a nice meal out somewhere, is hope over experience.
Case in point, Sunday we thought we'd treat ourselves to Sunday Lunch for a treat. Went to a local pub which was part of a chain, but always used to be very good. Now taken over by C&B and the meal was edible but didn't warrant the £24.49 it cost us for two.
We both had meat pie. I had two lumps of gristle and hubby had four, you needed a search warrant for the meat and when you found it, it was chewy. Mainly gravy with a pie crust sitting on top that disintegrated once pierced with a fork. The best bit of the meal for me was the glass of rosa wine which was very nice. Won't be going back there.
When I think of all the meals we have out, most of them only rate at about 5 out of 10.
The exception for good value is WS pubs, were at least they don't fleece you and the food is quite good.
I must say the best meals out we have had are generally in little county pubs that cook their own food. We are Londoners and although you could get every type of food known to man, good English grub is hard to come by.
