Have you ever had that one friend who just can’t seem to order from the menu like everyone else? I have a friend like that, let’s call her Sarah. Sarah is lovely, don’t get me wrong, but when it comes to ordering food at restaurants, she can be quite the handful. Sarah always orders off the menu and at this point, I think it’s a game for her.
Picture this: we’re at a nice restaurant, the waiter hands us the menus, and Sarah immediately starts scanning it with a determined look on her face. I can already tell what’s coming next. Sure enough, when the waiter comes to take our order, Sarah looks up with a smile and says those dreaded words, “Can I order something that’s not on the menu?”
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for trying new things and being adventurous with food. But there’s a time and a place for everything, right? Most restaurants have carefully crafted menus, and chefs put a lot of thought into creating dishes that complement each other and satisfy their customers. So, when Sarah asks for something off the menu, I can’t help but feel a little guilty, like we’re disrupting the balance of the universe or something.
But Sarah is not easily deterred. She’ll go on to describe some elaborate dish she had once at a different restaurant or saw on TV, and she’ll ask the waiter if the chef can make something similar. And you know what? More often than not, the chef actually obliges! I have to admit, I’m always impressed by Sarah’s boldness and her ability to charm her way into getting what she wants.
Despite my initial reservations, I have to admit that Sarah’s off-menu orders usually turn out to be delicious. Whether it’s a custom pasta dish with a unique sauce or a dessert that’s not on the menu, Sarah has a knack for picking winners. And you know what they say, “The customer is always right,” so who am I to judge?
So, here’s to Sarah, the friend who always orders off the menu. Thanks for keeping things interesting and introducing me to some amazing dishes I would have never tried otherwise. Next time we’re out, I’ll let you do the ordering – just don’t be surprised if I follow suit and ask for something off the menu too!
