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Eithne Shortall: Want to take your grandkids to lunch? Better start saving now

While anyone would sympathise with strapped café and restaurant owners dealing with inflation, high prices for bad value and shoddy service would make you stay home

'Maybe that’s the secret. Tea in a pot equals feeling like a valued customer’

Himself was perusing the aisles of Tesco a while ago when he overheard another customer talking about a recent visit to an unnamed restaurant. She was unimpressed with what her money had bought her. “Sure, you’d make better yourself,” she said.

Himself, having no idea what eatery was being discussed, jumped in to agree. “I’m always saying the same,” he said.

Then he came home and recounted the interaction as he unpacked the milk and ...