Do you mention the food in a dinner invitation?

I usually just let me guests know if it will be a "simple supper" if I am serving what you listed... I usually don't tell them what I'm serving.

They always get it.

Years ago it seemed fashionable to mention the food being served in the invitation and I think it helps people with food restrictions and it also helps w/ too many people putting their 2 cents in on the menu. They know upfront it's steak/tacos (whatever) and they're less likely to challenge it.

It's like you set the ground rules. This is what we're eating damnit!!!

The latter. I can't be arsed about telling them beforehand what they're gonna eat. But I make it a point to find out about their special dietary requirement, if any. Which is why I never invite anything with -an or -ian trailing behind their arses.

That's the problem SP.....the minute you start w/ the whole "dietary requirement" thing it never ends.....this one doesn't do dairy, that one doesn't eat shellfish, the other one has a peanut allergy.

It's much easier to say 'I'm making Thai peanut beef stir-fry Saturday, would you like to join me?"

Are you saying you send written invitations to have people around for dinner? Email I suppose is ok.

No I wouldn't tell them what I am serving, because chances are I don't even know until the day before. But I would ask if there is anything they won't eat.

No, I'd just say "Hey Zoe, I want to have you over for a chicken dinner Friday night, can you make it?"

I'd say, 'No thanks, Manch. I'm a vegetarian. But if you can give me a side of veggies I'm there!'.

It depends. For a 'real' dinner party, no. For something very simple, yes. I don't think you can serve pizza to people you've invited for dinner, unless you've made the pizza yourself perhaps, but "Wanna come over for pizza before we go to the movies?" should be OK.