DINING OUT WITH FRIENDS

Location, Location, Location…

Deciding on where to eat with friends is a key ingredient to having the perfect time. Whether you’re looking for a cosy midweek night out with a few special friends or wanting to celebrate that milestone birthday – choosing the right location will guarantee a memorable time, full of cherished moments.

An easy-to-access, central location is always a great option. Choose a spot that everyone can easily get to, whatever their mode of transport. If you’re the designated driver, look ahead to check out the parking options.

With ASK Italian restaurants across the UK, from sunny Scarborough to the far west of Yeovil and leafy Lichfield in the middle, we have plenty of spots to choose from. And with most of our restaurants in either towns, city centres or on high streets getting there couldn’t be easier. And remember, you can always chat to one of our friendly team for directions or pop onto our website and use the “near me” feature to discover your closest restaurant and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Once you’ve sorted where to eat with friends, give some thought to how everyone will get home at the end of the evening. Just a quick conversation before the night begins could help someone in your group relax if they know their travel plans have already been taken care of.

Let’s talk about money

Is there anything more awkward than falling out with friends over paying the bill? Avoid the drama and pick a price point early that everyone is happy with. Nothing derails a plan faster than someone panicking over the mains, so choose a place where the menu sits comfortably in the middle of the group.

When it comes to value for money, choosing restaurants for catching up with friends doesn’t come much easier than ASK. With a menu bursting with variety, we have dishes to suit all taste buds and budgets. And with our ASK Perks Rewards App you can get rewarded for every moment around the table. Simply download the app and sign up to start enjoying all the benefits. From reward vouchers, birthday treats to discounts on our Set Menu there’s something to tempt everyone.

If you don’t want the bill to spiral out of control you could always opt for a mix and match affair. When eating out with friends why not share the cost by choosing several starters and sides instead of a main. That way, you not only get great variety but your purse will thank you too. And if you want to end your meal with something sweet but don’t want to splurge on a full dessert, then many restaurants will serve a mini dessert alongside your coffee. Now, we may be biased but we think our Mini Dolce board option is the perfect finale to your Italian feast. Who could resist a scoop of our moreish gelato with a hot espresso shot?

And one final tip: when it comes to money and the best restaurants for groups – give some thought to how you will settle the bill. A great restaurant will flex to the needs of your group. Maybe you’re lucky and you have a generous friend picking up the tab but more likely, you’ll want to split the bill in several directions. When you dine with us, you can wave goodbye to any embarrassing moments of agonising over the bill. Our friendly team are always on hand to help.

It’s all about the food

When it comes to choosing the best restaurants for catching up with friends the menu often tops the priority list. Think about who is eating in your group. You may have picky eaters, those with ginormous appetites and friends with allergies and intolerances. So, whether you need vegan or veggie options or you like your food sweet, spicy or salty, choose a restaurant that you know will satisfy everyone.

Maybe you’ve got a few health-conscious friends in your group? Look for menus that feature plenty of grilled, steamed and baked items and of course the kcal number will highlight even the most calorific dishes on the menu. Here at ASK we boast a diverse menu that caters to all vegan and vegetarian tastes and with allergens clearly marked it is always easy to choose the right dish. You can even ask for your dressing or sauce on the side if you’re watching the waistline. And of course, our friendly team are always on hand to point you in the right direction if you get a bit stuck.

And whilst we’re on the subject of food, let’s consider next the joys (or perils for some) of sharing.

Choosing the right vibe

So, you’ve sorted the location, the budget and the menu – now it’s time to think about the atmosphere. There are many ingredients that go into serving up a great atmosphere. We’ve listed a few to get you started…

• Service. When it comes to service, you want to feel like a guest in someone’s home. At its best, service should be effortless. Think, nibbles on arrival whilst you browse the menu, drinks magically topped up without asking and a bill that lands just want you want it. Service should be attentive, not intrusive. Here at ASK we like to think of ourselves as one big Italian family – fully of energy and passion and always ready to help. We’re always on hand to help with your request – whether that’s finding the perfect table to suppling an extra blanket if you’re dining al fresco with us and feeling chilly. We can’t always guarantee the weather will match our warm Italian welcome!

• Surroundings. When coming up with dinner ideas with friends, the right surroundings can take your evening from mediocre to memorable. From outdoors to indoors, you want to relax into your surroundings when choosing where to eat with friends. Think soft lighting to perfectly designed décor and music pitched just at the right level. From the moment you step into any of our restaurants, you can expect to be transported to dreamy Mediterranean regions with quintessentially Italian interiors that come alive with bespoke wall murals and photography.

• The perfect match. From a quiet night out with a close friend to toasting a big birthday, there are many occasions when you find yourself eating out with friends. If you’re a big group, look for restaurants with private dining options or areas that can be sectioned off so you get that VIP experience your group deserves. With many of our restaurants offering private space, both indoors and outdoors we are the perfect option when eating out as a group. From big tables to shareable food and staff that won’t flinch when you say ‘table for eight’, ASK offers the best restaurants for groups.

…Oh, and remember to read the reviews as people rarely lie about the atmosphere. We think we’re pretty great at getting the atmosphere just right but don’t take our word for it. Check out Google for some of the lovely things people have said about us.