Restaurants with the "party of one"
Oct 27, 2014 | 5:49 pm
#16
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I often dine alone when traveling on business. In such situations I tend to sit at the restaurant's bar-- assuming a reasonable menu of food is offered there. Service is faster, as there's usually no waiting to sit and it's easier to flag the bartender's attention when I'm ready to order than it is to catch a waiter's attention. Sitting at the bar also offers opportunities to socialize, both with the bartender and with fellow customers.
Oct 27, 2014 | 7:14 pm
#17
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One thing I do like about US restaurant culture is the bar with food. In Europe it's really not so common. With the exception of hotel bars, I can only think of two restaurants at the moment in London with a bar suitable for lone eating...
Oct 27, 2014 | 8:03 pm
#18
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Funny and timely thread 
I really noticed this effect on my latest Aus trip.. Several places "Is it just going to be you?" And often that correlates with a need to be very proactive about receiving service..
Found more so in business eating establishments which expect groups to be dining..
I really noticed this effect on my latest Aus trip.. Several places "Is it just going to be you?" And often that correlates with a need to be very proactive about receiving service..
Found more so in business eating establishments which expect groups to be dining..
Oct 27, 2014 | 8:34 pm
#19
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Oct 27, 2014 | 8:58 pm
#20
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Higher end places are always more awkward anywhere when alone, and I'm not one to be intimidated by snooty waiters or that sort of thing
Oct 27, 2014 | 11:29 pm
#24
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I had a French one in London who I swear had come straight from Central Casting. My dining companion spoke fluent French, I did not. When I asked a question about the menu he stared down his nose at me as though I'd just crawled out from under a rock and pretended as though he couldn't understand what I was asking about.
Me to friend in a slightly raised voice: You'd think they could at least hire employees who can speak English.
Waiter: Excuse me I can understand you.
Me: I know.
Good times.
Me to friend in a slightly raised voice: You'd think they could at least hire employees who can speak English.
Waiter: Excuse me I can understand you.
Me: I know.
Good times.
Oct 28, 2014 | 9:19 am
#26
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The problem isn't the eating at the bar. It's the fact that usually that question comes with a tone of "don't waste my time seating/serving/taking care of just one person," instead of a "in case you are interested and didn't know, we do serve food at the bar as well." Because it should be my choice, not something imposed on me by someone who doesn't know how to do their job well.
Oct 28, 2014 | 12:33 pm
#27
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The problem isn't the eating at the bar. It's the fact that usually that question comes with a tone of "don't waste my time seating/serving/taking care of just one person," instead of a "in case you are interested and didn't know, we do serve food at the bar as well." Because it should be my choice, not something imposed on me by someone who doesn't know how to do their job well.
Oct 28, 2014 | 1:06 pm
#29
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The problem isn't the eating at the bar. It's the fact that usually that question comes with a tone of "don't waste my time seating/serving/taking care of just one person," instead of a "in case you are interested and didn't know, we do serve food at the bar as well." Because it should be my choice, not something imposed on me by someone who doesn't know how to do their job well.
Oct 28, 2014 | 1:22 pm
#30
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agree, and service expectations should vary - it is not logical to expect "good" service in a "bad" restaurant .. and or "full service" in a "restaurant" (being used generically) that is not a full service restaurant