Although my wife is a wonderful cook, and frequently prepares absolutely marvelous meals for us to eat at home, nevertheless, as we’ve grown older, we really enjoy going out to eat.

Fortunately, since neither my wife nor I have any dietary “restrictions” and since we both enjoy an assortment of culinary experiences, we have the ability to choose from a wide variety of restaurants in our area, which makes for some great eating experiences.

However, I realize that not everyone is as fortunate as we are, and eating out can present some significant challenges, especially as we get older.  Some foods just don’t “agree” with our ability to process and metabolize them, and we pay the price later.

I know my wife has to be careful because she is subject to acid reflux, which is quite common as we age.

I also recognize that eating out may present issues, other than the food, which may be difficult to overcome.

For example, the size of portions may be significantly larger than one can comfortably eat, or should eat. In addition, ordering beverages can be problematic … and not just the specific drink … but also the cost.

Except for an occasional glass of wine, we try to limit our beverage choice to water. The mark-up for coffee, or for that matter any beverage, is exorbitant. And, frankly, water is much better for you.

In fact, my wife will often ask for several slices of lemon for her ice water … mix in a packet of sweetener … and have a lovely lemonade. Or … she might ask for a cup of hot water, along with several slices of lemon, mix in a little artificial sweetener, and have a delicious hot beverage.

Regarding the portion size … we almost always split our order. Primarily because as we’ve gotten older, we’ve discovered we can’t eat as much, and a split order seems just right for our eating enjoyment (and comfort).

It’s also much more economical, especially if you like to eat out often. In fact, because of our eating habits, and the portions we receive, several of our favorite restaurants afford us the opportunity to take home enough for another meal later in the week.

One additional tip (no pun intended) is how you reward good service:

Now I realize that not all service is equal. You just might be unfortunate to get a server who is having a bad day, and they’re taking their frustration out on you.

But my experience is that if you treat your server with respect and a smile, you’re likely to get treated in kind. And when you do get “good service”, it’s really important to tip well.

Eating out may not be possible for some seniors, either because of physical limitations, budget restrictions, or dietary issues. But … for those who can … we are fortunate to have a great selection to choose from.

So … bon appétit!