The topic often comes up - Dining alone

[LindaBabe]

Found this blog article and posted it on the Restaurant board.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34708495#post34708495

 

[SoloFriendly]

Thank you for sharing this, LindaBabe! Excellent article. I have to agree, that when it comes to fine dining, I'd almost rather eat alone, because then I can savor the food and live the experience "in the moment" without being distracted by someone else.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Yes but on my recent solo trip I found myself consistently at the most undesirable tables - next to server stations, emergency exit doors or entrances. This makes enjoying the meal a little more difficult because I always seemed to either be tucked away or right in the centre of the hub-bub.

 

[SoloFriendly]

PrincessTrisha, you have certainly had bad luck then. I don't think I've ever received an undesirable seat as a solo diner. Just the opposite, in fact. But then, I do tend to eat earlier than most people (5-6:30pm). I suppose it makes a difference how crowded the restaurant is when you arrive.

Have you tried asking for a window seat? You might have to wait longer for a table, but then at least you might get something good.

 

[MOmousefan]

This past September I took my first solo trip. My dining experiences were varied. At Chef's and Tokyo Dining I had good seats and enjoyed the food. At the 50's it seemed all of the groups were having more fun then me. The server was good as was the food, but not the experience I anticipated. When I ate at Teppan Edo, I was seated with two great families and we had a fantastic time. However, the Biergarten experince was a downer. The others were very quiet and talked among themselves. My attempts at conversation went unnoticed. I did not enjoy the food here as it seemed too institutional and lacking flavor.

 

[SoloFriendly]

This past September I took my first solo trip. My dining experiences were varied. At Chef's and Tokyo Dining I had good seats and enjoyed the food. At the 50's it seemed all of the groups were having more fun then me. The server was good as was the food, but not the experience I anticipated. When I ate at Teppan Edo, I was seated with two great families and we had a fantastic time. However, the Biergarten experince was a downer. The others were very quiet and talked among themselves. My attempts at conversation went unnoticed. I did not enjoy the food here as it seemed too institutional and lacking flavor.

Sorry to hear about the bummer experiences. I don't know why people sit at these communal tables (like at Biergarten) if they're not willing to engage in conversation with people sitting next to them. How antisocial. It really makes it hard for the solo diner.

Did you try to set up some group dinners with other DISers who were traveling at that time? At least then you know you're with people who are fun and will engage in conversation with you!

 

[MOmousefan]

Did you try to set up some group dinners with other DISers who were traveling at that time? At least then you know you're with people who are fun and will engage in conversation with you!

I should have thought of this, but of course I did not.

 

[LindaBabe]

Sorry to hear about the bummer experiences. I don't know why people sit at these communal tables (like at Biergarten) if they're not willing to engage in conversation with people sitting next to them. How antisocial. It really makes it hard for the solo diner.

Did you try to set up some group dinners with other DISers who were traveling at that time? At least then you know you're with people who are fun and will engage in conversation with you!

Communal tables are easier if the other people at the table are other singles or couples instead of a single large party. The single large party people tend to act like the singles/couple are interlopers at 'their' table, rather than treating it like a communal table.

At LeCellier, one trip, I was seated in one of the dark back corner booths. There was a large, rowdy, badly behaved family blocking me in and I felt like a prisoner in an asylum. NEVER again. If servers attempt to seat me at a table I consider a substandard location, I no longer have any hesitation to request to be put at a better table, even if I have to wait for it.

 

[disneylove69]

This past September I took my first solo trip. My dining experiences were varied. At Chef's and Tokyo Dining I had good seats and enjoyed the food. At the 50's it seemed all of the groups were having more fun then me. The server was good as was the food, but not the experience I anticipated. When I ate at Teppan Edo, I was seated with two great families and we had a fantastic time. However, the Biergarten experince was a downer. The others were very quiet and talked among themselves. My attempts at conversation went unnoticed. I did not enjoy the food here as it seemed too institutional and lacking flavor.

I went solo in September also. I would agree for the experience at 50's you have to be in a group. Even when I went with other person bigger groups had more fun, but the food was good. All the other restaraunts I was at I got good service except Ohana which has never been good but I always got a table facing the castle.

 

[SoloFriendly]

Communal tables are easier if the other people at the table are other singles or couples instead of a single large party. The single large party people tend to act like the singles/couple are interlopers at 'their' table, rather than treating it like a communal table.

Right, and so why in God's name do large groups sit at these tables? The whole point of a communal table is that it's for solos or twosomes who want to meet and engage with others. The servers really ought to be trained in how to ask the right questions before seating people at one of these tables. Like "You realize sitting at this table is like a dinner party right? And you'll actually have to be friendly and speak to strangers who sit here with you?"

At LeCellier, one trip, I was seated in one of the dark back corner booths. There was a large, rowdy, badly behaved family blocking me in and I felt like a prisoner in an asylum. NEVER again. If servers attempt to seat me at a table I consider a substandard location, I no longer have any hesitation to request to be put at a better table, even if I have to wait for it.

You've got the right idea. I think it takes a few instances like this before solo diners realize that they don't have to accept a bad table. If you want a window table, ask for one. If you don't want to sit right next to the bathroom or kitchen, say so. You may have to wait awhile for the table you want, but so what? Your dining experience will certainly be improved.

 

[Bete]

I've only done one solo trip so far and it does vary on your experience. I did Teppan Edo and I did feel left out. There were two other groups with me. One group was on the opposite end and I really couldn't have a good conversation with them without screaming at them; so, I didn't try. The other was a mom with her teenager daughter and a friend of the daughter. They were cordial when we first sat down, but they had no intention of including me in any conversation with them and I did try to get them to talk with me a few times. They talked with each other, but was not interested in an outsider. It's a longer affair to have dinner there and I felt somewhat compelled to make a conversation there, but it didn't work. That meal seemed to last forever. I did manage to have fun with our chef.

I can understand the 50s Prime Time not being a good solo experience. I would think Sci Fi might not be a good situation, either. Even as a a couple once we had a unfriendly group at Biergarten; because, the others at the table were together and we were the outsiders. I won't do that place again; unless, we are a bigger group ourselves.

I had a wonderful experience at Coral Reef with a couple sitting next to me by the tank in the front. We talked throughout our meal and it seemed we both enjoyed doing it.

At Le Cellier there was another solo traveller next to me and we had a good time with each other.

I made a few ressies with disboarders on that trip, too which turned out to be good.

I will say if I do it again solo I will probably stick with more counter service meals with the exception of a few TS meals.