There is little as pleasurable as an opportunity to eat out in the evening. Enjoying a meal at a restaurant is not only an enjoyable way to spend an evening, but you can relax knowing that someone else will be cleaning all the dirty dishes, so you have nothing to do except eat and enjoy the company of your dining companions.

Find the perfect restaurant

While dining in a restaurant should be one of life's pleasures, sometimes it doesn't work out as well as you had hoped. Occasionally, the problem can be caused by your dining companions, but sometimes, difficulties can arise because the restaurant you have picked isn't a great fit for your group. Here are three things that you should check before choosing a restaurant for your meal.

What's on their menu?

If you are going to a restaurant, the content of the menu is important not just for you but for everyone who will be dining with you. If possible, try to obtain a copy of the menu in advance. Seeing the menu early will ensure there are no unpleasant surprises when everyone is seated at the table. Try to pick a restaurant that has something for everyone. Some people love to eat steak, while others prefer fish or pasta. It's helpful to have at least a general idea of what everyone wants before selecting a dining venue. This can be particularly important if there will be children in the dining party and they require a kids menu, rather than choosing from the adult menu.

Special requests

If your party only wants to pick items straight from the menu, you may not have too many difficulties. If, however, you have people who like to substitute tortilla chips for regular chips, or who want the tomato removed from their burger, it's best to find out how the restaurant deals with special requests. Some places may buy their meals ready-prepared, or they may be unwilling to make changes. Asking questions before you confirm the booking makes it easier for everyone. A related concern is allergies. While most restaurants will be happy to list any dishes that contain allergens, it is always good to ask the restaurant if anyone in your party is sensitive to a particular ingredient.

What's the cost?

No matter how great the meal has been, there is always a bill to pay at the end of the evening. Ideally, you will have checked the prices before sitting down to eat, and you will have checked that everything is included in the quoted price. It is also important to check with your group so that you are clear on how the bill will be split, so that you can ask for separate bills to be provided for different groups if necessary.