Recently I took myself out to a five star dinner. I called in advance to make the reservation and was greeted with the highest degree of pleasantry. I requested a 7pm reservation which the party on the other end of the line promptly agreed to and then they asked how many there would be. I informed them the reservation was for one and suddenly they were sorry ma’am, but they would only be able to seat me at the bar. Unacceptable I said. The only reservation they could offer for one, was at 5pm!! I relented.
Arriving at the restaurant at 5pm a few days later, I told the hostess that I had a reservation for one. She proceeded to lead me to the bar area. Unacceptable I said, so she took me to a small table for two and I sat down. A few minutes later a couple on a bad first date (or seven year anniversary) were seated next to me and moments later, the waiter came to take their order. As he finished with them, I cleared my throat and he came to check on me. I informed him I was ready to order and he looked at me with sheer surprise, asking if I was not waiting for anybody. No, it was just me. I couldn’t believe that after making an advance reservation for one, and the hostess knowing the reservation was for one, that the waiter still expected another! Apologies were made and my order was taken.
Overall, the food was satisfying and the following notes were taken between courses:
| Disadvantages to Dining out for One: | Advantages to Dining out for One: |
| The restaurant will try to seat you at the bar to ‘save’ their tables for larger parties. | You don’t have to share the bread. |
| The waiter won’t take your order until you ask him because he assumed you were waiting for someone. | The ‘pity’ service is exceptional – by dessert, they are begging YOU to come back, so they can pamper you more! |
| The pity stares from other patrons – too bad they have nothing else to talk about! | No need to make small talk with an obnoxious date! |
| The freak-out glare when you get up to use the restroom because they think you are going to dine and dash. | The surprised look on their faces when you leave the best tip they’ve received all night! |
4 comments:
It's even more exciting if you have dinner AND a movie for one! No one to distract you, tell you what's going to happen next, or nudge you(hard!) with their elbow. Heaven!
Yes V-Man and I recently experienced this when I went to watch Iron Man, although metaphorically, he was my date!
I eat dinner alone all the time and I love it!! I always bring a book so people dont look at me in pitty...dont feel sorry for me i love it!
AWESOME!!! so what do you do while dining? i have taken myself out a couple of times and the one place i love has terrible lighting so i can't read. thankfully, my neighbourhood is becoming kinder to the solo diners but i HATE the assumption that one should sit at the bar when wanting to enjoy a meal at a table like everyone else. we should make a date and got out to dinner... alone! i'll go here and you go there. it will be loads of fun
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