rapunzel avatar
rapunzelBeach Fanatic
17,426 views
A friend just clued me into this site when I mentioned what a shame it was that there was no Zagat's for 30-A. It's been wonderful to find so much good advise. There is one feature of the Zagat's that is missing...the Dining Alone list. Always a godsend for business trips, I have used it everywhere and never minded eating out by myself. I am here for a few months and have made a few attempts to go out and it has been so uncomfortable. When I asked for a table for one, one hostess repeated loudly, "You're by yourself? No one else is coming?"

Any suggestions? Maybe a place where it's possible to eat at the bar?

Replies

103
Beachlover2 avatar
Beachlover2Beach Fanatic
#52
This certainly is interesting - last night I went out to dinner with my 83 year old mother and she told me for the first time in her life she went to a restaurant by herself last week - I replied - good Mom you should go out by yourself if you feel in the mood for a good meal - I asked her where she went and she said McDonald's - I was hungry for a Big Mac :rolling: :rolling:

Hey it might have taken her 83 years and it might have been McDonalds - but at least she did it. It was a big deal to her.
kathydwells avatar
kathydwellsDarlene is my middle name, not my nickname
#53
:welcome: Rapunzel. Eat, Drink, READ, Sing, Dance, whatever the heck you want to do. Who gives a SH@#. You think I am not going to do something because someone else thinks it makes me look pathetic???? GEEZ. Ok, so I am sure if I was finished with my book that I was reading while dining alone, and I went to sit at the bar and decided that I would have a few...ok, alot of teqillya...and let's say some jello shots, and a few beers and I fell off my bar stool....now that would be pathetic. But reading a book while dining alone.....I DON'T THINK SO!!!
CastlesOfSand avatar
CastlesOfSandBeach Fanatic
#54
Mr. Mouse and I went to undergrad together at Albion College. (small liberal arts college in Michigan, only Paula here has probably heard of it) then I got my MPP from University of Michigan, and he got his MFA from Michigan State.

Yeah, I know what they say about mixed marriages, but we have a shared love for Da Red Wings, so it actually works out pretty well.

All Right!!!! Another hockey fan on the Sowal board!!! :clap_1: I though I was the only one! Those Red Wings are doing mighty fine this season!!! I had to buy Center Ice so my son can watch all the games! :floor:
beachmouse avatar
beachmouseBeach Fanatic
#55
We've had Center Ice since the 97-98 season, not only for Da Wings, but also for Hockey Night in Canada because I've got to have my Don Cherry fix. If you're ever in SoWal over the winter months, the Pensacola IcePilots have usually been pretty entertaining bush league hockey, and you can get two ice level seats plus dinner for two at McGuire's for less than the price of one lower bowl NHL ticket.

(hey, if every other topic here eventually turns into SEC football, there should be room for the odd hockey tangent)
Jdarg avatar
JdargSoWal Expert
#56
I'm still recovering from the Santas in Speedos picture. 😱
katie blue avatar
katie bluekt loo
#57
I am sure if I was finished with my book that I was reading while dining alone, and I went to sit at the bar and decided that I would have a few...ok, alot of teqillya...and let's say some jello shots, and a few beers and I fell off my bar stool....now that would be pathetic. But reading a book while dining alone.....I DON'T THINK SO!!!

:lolabove: :lolabove: funny and true KD. Permission to squelch me if I ever become that woman!

I eat alone a lot and think nothing of it. Talking to a bartender is cool, but if I'm at a table (which is more likely) I enjoy waiting for my meal with a book or newspaper--my life is full and busy, that's a good time to catch up on reading. No offense to anyone, but it is a little bit sad to think there are people out there condescending and judging those of us who do as "pathetic." Different strokes, but that's a different world than I generally run in, I guess.

Personally, I give props to single diners for having enough self confidence to be comfortable alone. Heck, it's likely that they are deep and interesting, and must have their own good thing going on since they're not worried about the perception that they couldn't otherwise find a dining partner...does that make sense?
seagrovelover avatar
seagroveloverlittle sugar
#58
:lolabove: :lolabove: funny and true KD. Permission to squelch me if I ever become that woman!

I eat alone a lot and think nothing of it. Talking to a bartender is cool, but if I'm at a table (which is more likely) I enjoy waiting for my meal with a book or newspaper--my life is full and busy, that's a good time to catch up on reading. No offense to anyone, but it is a little bit sad to think there are people out there condescending and judging those of us who do as "pathetic." Different strokes, but that's a different world than I generally run in, I guess.

Personally, I give props to single diners for having enough self confidence to be comfortable alone. Heck, it's likely that they are deep and interesting, and must have their own good thing going on since they're not worried about the perception that they couldn't otherwise find a dining partner...does that make sense?




very,very well said KB....... :clap_1: I agree with you 100% ;-)
Jdarg avatar
JdargSoWal Expert
#59
Personally, I give props to single diners for having enough self confidence to be comfortable alone. Heck, it's likely that they are deep and interesting, and must have their own good thing going on since they're not worried about the perception that they couldn't otherwise find a dining partner...does that make sense?[/QUOTE]


I agree with you on this- I find solo diners interesting too. There is a sense of mystery there-

Now I've just made myself paranoid. I wonder if anyone thinks I look interesting and mysterious while chowing down and reading! :funn:
katie blue avatar
katie bluekt loo
#60
Jdarg, International Woman of Mystery!!
Sheila avatar
SheilaSoWal Insider
#61
Personally, I give props to single diners for having enough self confidence to be comfortable alone. Heck, it's likely that they are deep and interesting, and must have their own good thing going on since they're not worried about the perception that they couldn't otherwise find a dining partner...does that make sense?


I agree with you on this- I find solo diners interesting too. There is a sense of mystery there-

Now I've just made myself paranoid. I wonder if anyone thinks I look interesting and mysterious while chowing down and reading! :funn:[/QUOTE]

No, we just all think you look pathetic.:floor::floor::floor::floor:
Miss Kitty avatar
Miss KittyMeow
#62
I agree with you on this- I find solo diners interesting too. There is a sense of mystery there-

Now I've just made myself paranoid. I wonder if anyone thinks I look interesting and mysterious while chowing down and reading! :funn:

No, we just all think you look pathetic.:floor::floor::floor::floor:[/QUOTE]

Paranoid and Pathetic...now there's a combo!!!! Don't be Paranoid about it or you'll never be able to finish that book....you'll be too busy looking around to see who is staring at you thinking you are Pathetic!!!!
BeachsideBeach Comber
#63
A friend just clued me into this site when I mentioned what a shame it was that there was no Zagat's for 30-A. It's been wonderful to find so much good advise. There is one feature of the Zagat's that is missing...the Dining Alone list. Always a godsend for business trips, I have used it everywhere and never minded eating out by myself. I am here for a few months and have made a few attempts to go out and it has been so uncomfortable. When I asked for a table for one, one hostess repeated loudly, "You're by yourself? No one else is coming?"

Any suggestions? Maybe a place where it's possible to eat at the bar?

Borago's Bar is one of the best places to join locals for a dine alone evening; I have eaten there many times when down on business and met some wonderful local business folks. Try one of their Martini Marguerita's - awesome!
CastlesOfSand avatar
CastlesOfSandBeach Fanatic
#64
We've had Center Ice since the 97-98 season, not only for Da Wings, but also for Hockey Night in Canada because I've got to have my Don Cherry fix. If you're ever in SoWal over the winter months, the Pensacola IcePilots have usually been pretty entertaining bush league hockey, and you can get two ice level seats plus dinner for two at McGuire's for less than the price of one lower bowl NHL ticket.

(hey, if every other topic here eventually turns into SEC football, there should be room for the odd hockey tangent)

I checked out the IcePilot website! I see they have Jr. IcePilots as well! We will check them our for sure if we are ever around when they play. My son would love it! McGuires is pretty good too! 😀 Here, Here on the hockey tangent!! :floor:
CastlesOfSand avatar
CastlesOfSandBeach Fanatic
#65
No, we just all think you look pathetic.:floor::floor::floor::floor:

Paranoid and Pathetic...now there's a combo!!!! Don't be Paranoid about it or you'll never be able to finish that book....you'll be too busy looking around to see who is staring at you thinking you are Pathetic!!!![/QUOTE]

Jdarg, GTTBM and SS... you gulls are too funny!!!! :floor: :lolabove:
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#66
FYI- Anyone dining at Borago's for the next few weeks will truely be dining alone, because they are taking their Christmas Break. That's okay. Those guys work hard and deserve a break, and it just makes us love it more when they reopen.
Beach Runner avatar
Beach Runnerbeats on hood
#67
FYI- Anyone dining at Borago's for the next few weeks will truely be dining alone, because they are taking their Christmas Break. That's okay. Those guys work hard and deserve a break, and it just makes us love it more when they reopen.
Wha-wha-what? When will they re-open? My heart is fluttering.
Jdarg avatar
JdargSoWal Expert
#68
No, we just all think you look pathetic.:floor::floor::floor::floor:[/QUOTE]



Watch it babe- I am an International Woman of Mystery now dontcha know! :cool: (Thanks KB- I feel less paranoid and pathetic now)
tylerTBeach Lover
#69
wow. 67 replies to a thread topic titled "dining alone" in a little over 24 hours. we're a deep group aren't we.
kathydwells avatar
kathydwellsDarlene is my middle name, not my nickname
#70
wow. 67 replies to a thread topic titled "dining alone" in a little over 24 hours. we're a deep group aren't we.

Yes we are. No further comment.

Checking your forum account

Please wait while we verify your forum account.