Coping with not-so-delicious food from restaurants

It’s got to be one of the most embarassing, if not excruciating experiences you could ever remember. That is, the moment when you ordered strange foods from a foreign restaurant only to find out that you are not used to eating raw, odd-tasting and very much Fear-Factor-like delicacies. (Sorry, pictures are not available to preserve everyone’s sanity)

And last week this happened to me as some of my friends, who got an absolutely weird taste for food invited me for a lunch-out at a certain restaurant along the Metro. Being full-blooded Filipino, I am just not used to eating foods which look and taste different from the ones that I have tasted before. So during that time, you could imagine how I felt eating at an expensive restaurant where I didn’t actually like the food at all!

So what tips could I share with you guys to cope-up with such a disaster where the only thing that you have in mind is:

To not embarass your friends and pretend that you are liking the food that they suggested

Well here are my suggestions:

1. If you don’t know, don’t go
First of all never ever forget to ask where you would eat when invited. And in case you find the name of the restaurant new to you, at the very least, ask what kind of food they serve. If you find it not good enough for your taste, well make all the excuses not to go to avoid yourself from further embarassment and waste of money.

2. Order only the stuff more familiar to you
Well let’s just say you weren’t able to make the excuses you need for #1 and you just had to give-in and go with your friends. What do you do next? When you’re already in the restaurant trying to get your order, MAKE SURE to order only the food you’re most familiar with. If you find the name of the dishes to be strange, don’t be shy to ask the waiter what it’s made of. If you’re used to eating pork, order one which has pork in it. I’m sure every restaurant has some sort of food you are more comfortable to eat.

3. Prepare the drinks
You know that you wouldn’t be satisfied with the food since you don’t like it from the very start. If this is the case, make sure you already have your drinks ready by your side in order to get rid of unwanted food immediately.

4. Ask for soup, if there is
Soup can be your saviour. If everything seems hard to swallow, soup can still help you to have something to eat just to make you a bit full.

5. If all else fails, just be honest
If everything else fails, just be honest. Tell your friends that you just don’t like the food. I’m sure, they would understand you if you really are good friends right?

These are just some of the things I would suggest in case you come to a similar encounter I had last week. Ever had the same experience? I’d be happy to hear them.