StingingVelvet: 2 days in Belfast, 3 days in Dublin and 3 days in London. We're renting cars and not staying in the cities though, I'm slowly planning the activity schedule.

darthspudius: They have pretty much taken over which is a bloody shame. Two of every chain on every street.

tinyE: Do you have annoying chain "theme" places over there like TGIFs, Outback, and Pasta House? I refuse to believe the English could sink so low as to open one of those places up.

darthspudius: No Edinburgh, Sterling or Inverness? That is terrible! No one does tourism better than the Scots! A nice long walk along Lochness with some Bacon Butties is always a good day!

darthspudius: Just avoid any large restaurant chains and you'll be fine.

StingingVelvet: Hahaha... London was actually a last minute addition, I don't think we can add any more ;)

Ireland was the main attraction since I have strong Irish ancestry.

HertogJan: IMO when it comes to British food, even the US junk food chains like McD, BK and PH can be considered alternatives.
Though the British breakfast is good after a night of drinking.
Though obvious, definitely stay away from any road side restaurant. Even the ones near shopping centres which are looking good serve crappy food.
Some pubs offer good food, some don't. That's a gamble, though the better ones are usually found in the smaller towns.
Eating at places the local eat isn't a guarantee in the UK.

darthspudius: I hate those big restaurants. The voices in my head are bad enough without 100 others around me... and the fact the food is usually cold when it arrives. :P

StingingVelvet: I import Doctor Who DVDs from Amazon UK. Each DVD is about £7, which is a loooooot cheaper than $25 or so in the US.

However my girl and I are planning an Ireland and UK trip in about a month and I have been looking at hotel, food and driving costs. I was surprised to see that most things, like for example a steak dinner, are about the same number of pounds as in dollars here in the States. For example a steak dinner here in the States is about $20-25 in a "normal" restaurant, while the steak dinners I see on British menus are about £25, which actually equals over $40 when converted. Same thing with average Hotel price ($55 and £55) and on down the line.

So basically my question is how come DVDs seem to be adjusted to match or even undercut US prices but a Steak dinner is the same amount in pounds as in dollars, making it actually much more expensive?

Any insight for my trip would be appreciated :)

HertogJan: Next time, you might want to consider a few days in Cork. Go south and simply follow the coast and drive a bit in land. Great country site and some nice coastal towns.

Fever_Discordia: Ooh - which part? Me Dar's from Wicklow!

Fever_Discordia: Ooh - which part? Me Dar's from Wicklow!
Fever_Discordia: If you get wrapped fish and chips from a fish and chip shop they'll usually assume you want salt and vinegar on them unless you tell them otherwise, which I do because I hate vinegar, most other Brits seem to love it though - weirdos!
Other than that you don't tend to get vinegar served on your chips in restaurants - there's usually sachets or even a glass shaker to add it yourself...