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  3 0 When I dine out alone, I like to sit at the counter if possible. Except at really slammed places where the counter is just the spot where they sit folks who don't have a reservation, it tends to attract people who know food and leads to interesting conversations. If the staff isn't too busy, you may end up chatting with them as well. A few places where I've had terrific counter experiences: Joule Spinasse Steelhead Diner Michael @ Herbivoracious.com answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  2 0 My favorite places to eat alone are Kisaku (sushi), Joule (Korean-French-ish), Walrus & the Carpenter (oyster bar), and I think The Book Bindery and Staple & Fancy would also be totally worthwhile for a solo meal. The Walrus & the Carpenter has the most ambient light of all of those, and when spring/summer come along, there's an outside deck with tables where you would be welcome to lounge and slurp oysters to your heart's content. Kisaku isn't super lavish, but their fish is always extra fresh and both Nakano and Shinmi are great, friendly, knowledgeable sushi chefs and both are very funny. They would be more than willing to tailor an omakase meal to your tastes and could easily create an amazing meal for one. (Kappo Tamura would be the place for an elaborate omakase, but the staff isn't quite as friendly as Kisaku's). At Joule, you can watch the chefs dance around one another while creating beautiful, delicious food and can watch your own food being made. Seif and Rachel are always willing to answer questions about what they're making and any other queries you think up. Plus, every time I've eaten at the counter, I've made friends with the person sitting next to me and have even swapped bites on occasion. All that said, I enjoy eating alone but am happiest when I can sample as much of the menu as possible. Generally, this means I need to bring someone along. So, if you want company, let me know. I mean that in the least creepy way possible.   Julia Wayne answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report 4 comments by Julia Wayne, Julia Wayne, and MyrnaMinkoff… 0 0 Oh! and la bete. That place rocks. And there's lots of seating both near the kitchen and in the bar, with the whole menu available everywhere. Get the pork rinds and giggle to yourself as they pop. Julia Wayne commented about 1 year ago | Report 0 0 Um, and Art of the Table. If you go on Monday for Happy Monday, you can sit in the window and talk to Dustin and Phil while they cook you amazing things. Or, you can sit at the communal table any day they're open and talk to all sorts of different people--it holds 10 people, I think, so there's lots of potential for conversation, if you want it. Julia Wayne commented about 1 year ago | Report 1 0 Amazing. Thanks for the recommendations! And, your offer was not at all creepy. I'd love to take you up on it sometime in January? I would LOVE to have an enthusiastic dining partner from time to time! MyrnaMinkoff commented about 1 year ago | Report 0 0 sounds like a plan Julia Wayne commented about 1 year ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  2 0 You've GOT to hit the Corson building! Friday or Saturday night, depending on how lavish you want to be, you can dine family style at one of the best restaurants in this city, and the best part is that since it is family style you'll be surrounded by people who love and appreciate food just as much as you, so you won't be dining alone at all :) I also totally agree with the recommendation to dine at the bar/counter of any great restaurant. Crush is a wonderful place to do this, you'll have great conversation with the bartender and a front row seat to the ongoings of their luxurious kitchen staff. Cheese Vixen answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 0 I've also dined by myself at The Corson Building, and like most communal dining experiences I've had, it was a great time. I also recommend sitting at the bar, where you can read or chat up the bartender. As a food and travel writer, my career essentially entails dining alone, and I actually prefer it much of the time. I know that some restaurants can be intimidating to solo diners, especially women, but fuck those places. If I get attitude, I won't go back, but I never let my alone-ness deter me from trying a place. Don't be self-conscious; I promise you the only person dwelling on your situation is you. Worst case, have an extra cocktail--it never fails to ease any discomfort you may feel. Laurel Miller answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report 1 comment by MyrnaMinkoff… 0 0 Thanks for the great advice. And I will try not to be intimidated in the future! MyrnaMinkoff commented about 1 year ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 0 The bar at Anchovies and Olives, especially at happy hour. Doug Nufer answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 Good for you! If you haven't already you should read MFK Fisher's "A is for Dining Alone": http://www.gourmet.com/magazine/1940s/1948/12/mfkfisheranalphabetforgourmets Maximilien, Matt's, and Steelhead Diner down by the Market; Wild Ginger; the new Sitka + Spruce in Melrose Triangle if you haven't been by yet; and Monsoon for brunch. capicola answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report 1 comment by MyrnaMinkoff… 0 0 Thanks for the reference to MFK! I didn't realize she'd written on this topic. How fantastic. MyrnaMinkoff commented about 1 year ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 The bar at Golden Beetle; Needle & Thread @ Tavern Law; Sambar; Oliver's Twist; or for interaction with the kitchen wait for a seat at the Chef's window during "Happy Mondays" at Art of the Table. http://golden-beetle.com/home http://artofthetable.net/ http://www.tavernlaw.blogspot.com/ http://www.oliverstwistseattle.com/ http://www.sambarseattle.com/ hannahd answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 I love sitting at the counter at Rialto. A Caprice Kitchen is another favorite- it's tiny and the portions are perfect. RM answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 I have to say, I love the Pink Door - especially on Wednesday nights at 8 - Casey McGill and the Blue Four Trio - is great, and gives you something to focus on if you are alone. You can get there a bit early, sit at the bar, and enjoy the show - Lucas and Shandra (varying nights) are wonderful. Their antipasti is excellent - also great pastas there! I love Volterra - a friendly crew (Jim and Amy, yo!). Get the basic wild boar ragout, or the short rib (?) polenta appetizer. A perfect small main, if you get a salad - that's a meal. Always great wine there, too. I love Revel! New from the Joule crew, it is smallish plates, and you can sit at the counter and watch the cooks do their thing. A truly wonderful experience last Friday night - their first night open, and they seemed to have their thing down. those are just a few, but I eat alone a lot and I'll add more faves! Shannon Borg answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 There's already some very good suggestions here (I'm going to second/third/whatever Wild Ginger). If you've never been to Tidbit Bistro, you might find them inviting. I've not been there in a while (since they've moved, actually) but the food is outstanding. The Happy Hour at Via Tribunali is always a good solo option, and if you're light on cash for some reason you can't beat the price. The house red is actually pretty decent, as well. And if you're not averse to vegetarian food, Sutra is a perfect little space that won't make you feel like an outsider if you're sitting alone (particularly at the "bar" area), and for $33 you get a four course meal (with an optional wine pairing for an extra ±$20), plenty of lighting, and an unbelievably friendly staff. j_lee answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 I've got to agree with the experts on this. Sitting at the counter of the restaurants already mentioned (in particular: Spinasse, Joule, Crush, as well as the 'family dinners' at the Corson Building) are excellent suggestions for solo dining. For one, the food itself is interesting and delicious: ideal dinner company regardless of who's around you. *bonus if you get a seat that looks onto the kitchen! And secondly, the 'just enough closer' proximity of your neighboring diners at the counter/shared table is just close enough to allow conversations to spark up naturally and comfortably. The same is true for any sushi bar (I too love the sushi at Kisaku), plus the guys behind the sushi counter are usually quite adept at holding conversations with you as they work, should you be looking to chat. tofu oyako answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 I like the bars at Urbane and Mistral Kitchen. If you don't mind dining early, they both have great happy hours. keshmeshi answered in Eating Out about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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