Eating out with Pub Food and Enjoying a Bar Meal

We all like to eat out once in a whilte and with the choice of  restaurants, bars and cafe's available it seems we're sometimes spoilt for choice.
Of course the expectation is that you will find better food in relation to the surroundings and cost - but is that really the case? A resaurant might look plush and you might recieve waiter service but is the food on a par in taste and value with that served at a local pub or diner?

The typical British bar meal on a pub menu will be a little more than a snack in reality with fish and chips, chicken dishes, scampi or steak being pretty much the mainstay of the pub food and bar meal industry. The chances are that many of the ingredients of these meals will be deep frozen and only used when demand dictates.In addition the microwave has been an essential tool for the bar meal trade as good food can be produced quickly and easily. Whether this method of 'cooking' pub food is reflected in the price is another matter.

Restaurants are honour bound to produce more 'properly cooked' meals and are under the guidance of legislation to make sure their kitchens, work surfaces and methods of cooking are in line with health and safety regulations. The chances are that they actually will employ a cook with some culinary experience which is not absolutely essential for some of the pubs serving a bar meal or pub food using the methods mentioned above.
A meal in a restaurant should be, of course, much more than just a meal out. It should be a healthy eating out experience with good company, maybe some fine wine and the whole thing should be an adventure to enjoy.

The balance is therefore between a cheap bar meal in a cosy pub, scanning the pub menu and knowing what you're likely to be getting or spending a bit more cash for a real eating experience in a restaurant.

Eating at home seems to be growing as a choice as the meals are much cheaper and you know exactly what is in the food however, bar meals are an esential part of the culture in most societies and it seems that the ordinary family or couple will enjoy and evening out and a good pub meal once in a while - and why not?

It's probably because it's the overall eating out experience that counts!