However this can become an expensive activity especially if alcohol is thrown into the mix. Which is why I rarely go to eat out unless I have found a voucher. According to a recent article in Glamour magazine, I'm not the only one! In this 'economic climate' or 'austere' times (gotta love media jargon) in which our wages no longer stretch to as much as they used to, people are no longer afraid to pull out a voucher at the end of the meal. These days in fact, its a lot more swish for those who have a smartphone- simply download the voucher to your phone and present it to the waiter who will write down the code.
So how to find these tasty deals? Well my first port of call is usually VoucherCodes, and more specifically, their restaurant section.
(Image from Google Search)
The only downside is that clearly only certain restaurants sign up because it is usually the same ones featured and mostly Italian. Not that I don't love Italian food but I do like to mix it up! Similarly you may find that sometimes the offers aren't actually that enticing, it would appear to be pot luck.
More recently, my boyfriend found an awesome app for his iphone called VoucherCloud.
(Image from Google Search)
What makes it so awesome I hear you ask? Well it sources the best deals in your location. Not just for food but for other activities. For example, I had been banging on about how much I wanted to see 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' and a deal popped up saying that the Vue in Westfield were offering 'buy one, get one free' tickets- perfect!
If you don't see the restaurant you have in mind on either site then check their own website- restaurants like Yo! Sushi and Giraffe have a section on theirs. Oh and check to see if they have a Twitter- often they tweet about their offers or give you the chance to win vouchers.
So there you have it- how to indulge without spending all your pennies. I'm sure most of you are aware of how to score a bargain but in case you don't usually bother or are too embarrassed- don't be! Everybody's doing it ;-)
One word of advice...make sure you read the Terms & Conditions- a lot of the vouchers have specific days (i.e. not weekends), dates and locations.
To finish off this post, I'm going to share my most recent tried and tested deal...dishes at Yo! Sushi for £2.12! http://www.yosushi.com/offers/celebrate-2012
No need for a voucher for this one- just pop to the participating restaurants (which are listed on the page) and say you would like the £2.12 menu. I went with Katie last week and the food was divine! We ordered a couple of hot and cold dishes plus a desert dish and a drink, with the bill coming in at £12 each.
I have been trying to photograph my recent 'haul' a few times but the pictures have come out rubbish and I refuse to post them! There's supposed to be some sunshine over the next few days so will try again soon.
Thanks for reading!
Smaz xx
P.s. Just to clarify, I was not paid to do this post by any of the websites or restaurants mentioned, I just wanted to share the voucher love. I never say no to a free meal though if anyone would like to offer one :-)
