Imagine a typical four-course dinner at a linen-napkin restaurant. The lighting? Soft. The music? Refined. The date?
Missing.
This is the scenario that plays out each weekend for some of the country's 90 million singles and others without a dining partner.
For some of them, eating alone is a lonely experience. Many welcome it.
"I find it really nice," says Charly Laura Rok, 41, senior vice president of media at New York City-based communications firm Lippe Taylor. "I can read, I can work, I can daydream, and very often I strike up conversations with other solo diners."
Bite into the Big Apple
One spot catering to diners like Rok is New York's Gotham Grill. The Alfred Portale-owned restaurant in Greenwich Village plays host to dozens of deal makers and couples splurging on dishes such as Maine lobster risotto and frozen Banana Charlotte. But take a seat at the bar, and you'll be treated as if your check is the staff's biggest transaction of the day.
"They make everyone feel comfortable," says Rok, who eats there regularly. "The service is great no matter if you're dining alone or with a group of people."
Top tips
Similar spots exist throughout the world. The trick is identifying them.
Restaurants with sizable bars or communal tables provide a comfortable setting for those eating alone, says Liz Johannesen, restaurant marketing manager at OpenTable.com, an online reservation network for restaurants throughout the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Those saddled up to the bar may talk to the bartender and neighboring diners. Communal tables allow parties of one to blend into the crowd.
Scenery also plays a role, Johannesen says. While dining, nothing beats a stellar view when faced with an empty seat across the table.
That's what visitors to Chicago's Park Grill find. It borders Millennium Park along Michigan Avenue; those lucky enough to snag outdoor seating in the summer can take in frequent performances by live bands. In the winter, window seats overlook an ice-skating rink.
Reputation is also important. If your spot has received high ratings for service in local reviews or in the Zagat or Michelin guides, then it's safe to assume it will put a premium on pleasing solo diners.
But what if you're fortunate enough to snag a reservation for one, yet unfortunate enough to be placed at a table that's anything but pleasing—either right next to the kitchen or, even worse for some, in a corner far away from other diners?
Speak up. "As a guest, you're entitled to what you want," says Johannesen, who adds that hosts at spots offering fine dining make a point of seating guests at tables where they will be most comfortable.
She adds, though, that the bar might well be your best bet.
"Personally, I love banquettes," she says, "but if there aren't any available, I find that the bar tends to be the most lively and entertaining spot in the room."