It turns out that the specials menu is not that special.
We all know how persuasive waiters can be when they start reeling off dishes you've never heard of.
"Today we have the chef-recommended amuse-bouche, paired with a bouillabaisse and a boeuf bourguignon."
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Alright, if you have some knowledge of French cuisine, you'll know what those dishes are.
But for most of us, we'll just keeping nodding our heads along like we know what the waiter is on about.
"Oh that sounds good," or "Hmm that would be great," is what the default responses normally are - before you order the good ol' steak and chips.
Sorry if you feel attacked, but we are all living the same life.
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Anyway, do not order from the specials menu, says US-based food writer Brian Udall.
In a piece for TastingTable, the Ohio writer insists that you'll be making a big mistake if you do.
"In practice, this means that when you order a daily special, you are likely ordering a subpar recipe cooked with subpar ingredients," he explained.
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"This is especially true if you see that the daily special is already listed on the regular menu.
"When we think of the best restaurant dishes we've had in recent years, none of them are going to be offered as daily specials because customers are purchasing those ingredients often enough to keep up with the inventory."
However, the writer clarifies that he is speaking 'generally' and that 'exceptions will exist'.
"The practice of daily specials isn't all bad, though. The Steelman argument for daily specials is actually quite persuasive," he adds.
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"For one, it reduces food waste. If the head chef notices that they overbought a few items and business has been slow the past few days, listing something as a daily special means they are more likely to sell those ingredients before they spoil.
"If you know that the restaurant makes good food, you're perfectly safe ordering the daily special so long as you keep in mind that you're probably not getting produce that's fresh off the truck.
"It's a good way to support a restaurant you love while enjoying something delicious.
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"Still, if you're trying to impress your date, maybe don't order them the daily special because the dish is the restaurant equivalent of scraping the bottom of the barrel.
"There are plenty of avoidable mistakes we make at restaurants, this doesn't need to be one of them."
Topics: Food And Drink
Anish Vij