Many of the entries you will read on my blog were a result of a solo sojourn. My first experience dining solo was when I worked for a company that required frequent out of town travel. I sometimes would eat in the restaurant of the hotel where I was staying. Sometimes male diners would try to send me drinks or try to invite themselves to my table. Savvy, protective servers would intercept these unwanted advances. Sometimes I just ordered room service. In cities where I knew someone in the area I would make arrangements to connect with the person while in the area or ask which restaurant they recommended.
One dining experience I will never forget happened while I
was in Palm Springs California on a mini-vacation in the early 2000s. I had read on the internet about a restaurant and decided to visit. I made the reservation and showed up. The hostess showed me to my table and gave me a menu to read. A couple nearby spoke to me. It was soon apparent that the couple was inebriated. The husband declared, 'you are too pretty to eat alone'. He and his wife got up from their table; he plopped in the seat across from me. The wife slid into the seat next to me at the adjacent two- top table. Nearby diners looked on horrified that the couple had resettled and were now simultaneously grilling me about why I was dining alone and recommending what I should order. The restaurant manager arrived soon thereafter and helped the couple back to their table to collect their belongs and guided them out of the dining room. After a few minutes the manager returned apologizing profusely.
Fortunately, the experience didn't ruin the rest of my mini-vacation in Palm Springs or my desire to explore other dining venues.
Here are my suggestions for making the most of solo dining sojourns:
- Make a reservation for your desired dining time. Many restaurants will accept reservations for a party of 1 (I have list of online booking tools on my blog). I am aware that some restaurants have setup their booking systems not to accept reservations for a single party. If I really want to go the restaurant I will call the restaurant and see if I can make the reservation over the phone.
- Know that the restaurants are generally busiest Friday and Saturday evenings and if that is the evening you want to dine consider going early or going late. When I dine early I often plan another activity afterward.
- Dine on Sunday thru Wednesday - the restaurant is quieter and the chances of getting that special table.
- Consider dining a the bar if full service is available at the bar. I generally taking reading material with me. Sometimes another person at the bar will make small talk, and there's often another person at the bar dining. If you are uncomfortable for any reason let the bartender or restaurant manager know as soon as possible.
- Engage the server- ask questions about what's good on the menu and what they like. Most servers want to engage with their customer. Smart, savvy servers know that a happy customer could turn into a repeat customer who refers friends and tells those friends to ask for that server.
- Bring a newspaper, magazine or book with you to read while waiting for a beverage or meal to arrive. I often catch up on my reading and note writing while dining.
If you do dine solo often, what has your experience been? Do you have other suggestions?
I hope my suggestions have made you rethink taking a solo sojourn.
Bon Appetit!
Technicolor girl
