Alone!!!!

It happens to all of us. You’re on a business trip, or temporarily relocated away from home, maybe you just live by yourself, or your wife is in Wisconsin. You’re tired of cooking, eating things wrapped in paper ordered by number through a speaker, or doing room service.

So, you’re faced with going out, and here you are a party of one (there is another whole story of business travel with the “group eat” syndrome – for another time). The first thing you have to decide is whether you want to “dine” or just “eat”. This is quite important, because there’s a world of difference. Just putting fuel in your body is easy (number two with a coke, please), but it’s a much more difficult problem if you would like to have a nice culinary experience. Maybe it’s just me, but I always enjoy food more when there is somebody to share with. If you’re sitting by yourself at a restaurant table, you can’t lean over to the next one and say “Wow! Look at the presentation of my Salmon!” or “Try this great sauce on the rack of lamb”.

So, I have found dining alone in a big deal restaurant is pretty much a waste of time. Sure, you get to see a special place, and the food might be wonderful, but you’re relegated to examining the presentation, tasting this and that, and just staring around or eavesdropping on adjacent table conversation between courses. Not so fun. This is where the restaurant should earn its stars. Do they seat you at a two top next to the station? Do they clear the extra place settings? Are you treated as an afterthought by your sever as he/she takes care of a larger party? An experienced server should take the time to “read” you and determine if you would like to chat occasionally, or just leave you to your thoughts (and please, please, not blackberry or cell). Hopefully a rated restaurant will recognize all these things and make your experience as pleasant as possible, since next time you might bring a party of four. Even though you don’t generate as much revenue (or tip) as a larger party you should be treated with respect. But, by and large you walk away with an empty feeling with only a story to tell somebody at a later date.

IMHO a much better solution is to seek a restaurant where you can eat at the bar (with hopefully the full menu available). First of all, your drink is almost immediately served, and you have a built in opportunity for conversation with the barkeep, not to mention with others in a similar situation who somehow always seem to gravitate to the bar. A lot of very nice restaurants also have a very nice bar, and you don’t tie up a table. If you like the place and food, and the opportunity exists for a re-visit, you’re on your way to becoming a “regular”, get a friendly greeting and pass the evening more easily.

Just a thought, and even though you’re solo, you must

DFD