Recently, I was pleased to be able to review a couple of products for Small Niche Games.  Today's review is of Tavern Menus: Fantasy Food and Drink, which is a short (8-page) pdf consisting of 6 different menus suitable for use in a fantasy inn/tavern sort of backdrop.

If you are anything at all like me, sometimes you get stuck on what's being served when your players' characters stop over at an inn for the night.  Tavern Menus solves that problem, as each of the 6 menus are unique, with bills of fare ranging from the high-end to the bottom of the ladder (dining at the The Dead Boar, anyone?).

The visual design is nicely done, with the relative quality of dining establishment clearly evident. Prices are not included, since I believe the author recognizes each game is going to have its own cost ratio, but suggested prices are given a brief introduction elsewhere in the document.

It'd be nice to have a fill pdf where you could enter and customize the name of the establishment, but really, that's the only gripe I have with this product.  It does exactly what it sets out to do, and at $2.99, is a great bargain for adding a bit more immersive flavor to your session.  

A short review for a short product, but hey, what do you want?  My players were wowed by this product, had a lot of fun picking out their orders (though thankfully not to distraction), and I feel like Tavern Menus  fulfilled its side of the deal.  I'll happily recommend it to anyone looking for the same sort of experience/prop.

Hi Zach.  Thanks for this review!  To those interested in menus, we also have Pirate-themed menus available now, and Old West and Asian-themed menus soon to be released.  

Zach, if you see any other SNG/ERSP products you're interested in reviewing, let me know and I'll send you a copy.

Thanks again,

Pete

I suppose people aren't really interested in hearing about how most medieval food, except for feast days for the rich, was pretty bland and dreary.

"Tavern Menu:  Hard Black Bread and Pea and Onion Soup with a Tiny Fragment of Bacon.  Just like we've had every day for the last six years"

"Bar Menu:  Thin Unhopped Ale; Murky, Sediment Filled, Sour Red Wine"

Quote from: Old GeezerI suppose people aren't really interested in hearing about how most medieval food, except for feast days for the rich, was pretty bland and dreary.

"Tavern Menu:  Hard Black Bread and Pea and Onion Soup with a Tiny Fragment of Bacon.  Just like we've had every day for the last six years"

"Bar Menu:  Thin Unhopped Ale; Murky, Sediment Filled, Sour Red Wine"

True.  Of course, most PCs are RPing people with far too much disposable income.  However, I haven't seen too many look at the reprecusions of blatingly ordering food that most people haven't even tasted in their entire lives.

Quote from: Old GeezerI suppose people aren't really interested in hearing about how most medieval food, except for feast days for the rich, was pretty bland and dreary.

"Tavern Menu:  Hard Black Bread and Pea and Onion Soup with a Tiny Fragment of Bacon.  Just like we've had every day for the last six years"

"Bar Menu:  Thin Unhopped Ale; Murky, Sediment Filled, Sour Red Wine"

And: Bacteria and disease from unsanitary conditions included in the price.  

Good thing these are fantasy menus and not medieval ones.  

Pete

Thanks for the review, Zach. You pretty much summed it up nicely.

QuoteI suppose people aren't really interested in hearing about how most medieval food, except for feast days for the rich, was pretty bland and dreary.

I actually did a good amount of research for these visual aids, more then what I probably needed. And of course after learning so much, I realized that most of the "historical truths" about dining during those ages would make horrible aids to any game. That said, there are some authentic dishes in the menus, and some represent the quality of meals pretty well. Ideally, we wanted these to be fun and feel authentic.

QuoteTrue. Of course, most PCs are RPing people with far too much disposable income. However, I haven't seen too many look at the reprecusions of blatingly ordering food that most people haven't even tasted in their entire lives.

We tried to give a feel for each menu, so you have some that fit very low-end, common taverns with food appropriate for the dwelling. . . although whether they would historically serve any of it is really pushing believability.

For more of a historic and closer look  at food and taverns, we have a cooking supplement being finished up that covers all kinds of info on foods, beverages, etc.

Quote from: Rick HersheyI actually did a good amount of research for these visual aids, more then what I probably needed. And of course after learning so much, I realized that most of the "historical truths" about dining during those ages would make horrible aids to any game.

I agree completely.  My first reply was entirely smart-ass, not a serious criticism of the work.

Just like I never expect to see a 14th century sourcebook called "Plague: The Dying".

Quote from: Old GeezerMy first reply was entirely smart-ass,

We know, OG.  We just use any excuse to talk about our products.  

I'm looking forward to seeing the Asian-themed menus, myself.  Rick, are the dishes going to be numbered like at authentic Chinese restaurants?  

Pete