Publication Date: Friday Oct 27, 2000

Restaurant Review: Table for one

Eat out alone for dinner? At a nice restaurant? My husband thought I was crazy. Girlfriends thought I was brave dining out by myself. Unfortunately, there's still a stigma attached to solo dining, especially for women. "Sooner or later, everyone faces the challenge of dining out alone," says Marya Charles Alexander, editor and publisher of SoloDining.com, an online newsletter. She promotes solo dining, and gives tips on how and where to do it.

Alexander advises making reservations--something most solo diners don't do--and asking about bar or chef's table seating, or communal tables. Sure, it's easy to go to a fast-food place or a casual restaurant (pizza parlor, burrito joint), but Alexander recommends formal dining establishments, because staffs are usually trained to be sensitive to solo diners, who dread being asked,"Only one?"

Armed with her advice, I mustered up my courage and made reservations (under a different name) at area restaurants for an informal survey on solo dining. Service, not food, was the focus. The following list is compiled in the order of best to worst table-for-one experiences.

Dal Baffo: Upon inquiring about solo seating, I was told, "I'll seat you at a table in a corner close to the front, where my staff and I will take care of you. My name is Regina and I'll be here to take care of you."

True to her word, Regina and her staff took care of me, from having the table set for one ahead of time, to checking on me often. Regina told me Dal Baffo has many solo diners, and she usually seats them in the front dining room, "So I can watch out for them."

By the time I left, I felt like one of the regulars. My visit to Dal Baffo was the best of all eight solo dining visits. Keep in mind a minimum $15 food charge per person.

Dal Baffo, 878 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, (650) 325-1588.

Chez TJ: When I reserved a table for one at this rather romantic restaurant with a prix fixe menu, Mohammed said, "Oh my goodness. It is unusual for a lady to call and come here by herself. We look forward to it. It will be a pleasure having you dine with us."

When I arrived, Mohammed, the maitre d', knew me by name, and my table for one was waiting. He brought me a glass of kir royale, compliments of the house. This nice touch made me feel extra special.

Chez TJ, 938 Villa St., Mountain View, (650) 964-7466.

Zibibbo: I accepted a seat at the chef's table, overlooking the kitchen action. It's great for solo diners, where you can be entertained while you eat. Plus, you may strike up conversations with fellow diners, as I did over the merits of Kate Spade handbags.

Zibibbo's small plates were perfect portions for solo diners. Shani, my server, checked on me often enough that I never felt alone. There was even another lone diner at the chef's table that night.

Later, General Manager David Salk said about 5 percent of his guests dine solo. Zibibbo trains servers to treat all parties the same, whether they're a table for eight or a table for one. Zibibbo has many options for seating for those dining alone, including the chef's table, bar or cafe in the back. Zibibbo, 430 Kipling St., Palo Alto, (650) 328-6722.

John Bentley's: I was greeted by name, and the second place setting was whisked away discretely as I was seated. The atmosphere was so cozy that I became fast friends with a table of four next to me, even sharing their bottle of wine.

My server Jan was attentive, and told me John Bentley's often has solo diners, and that there had been a solo gentleman diner the night before. About dining alone, she said, "Oh never be intimidated!"

John Bentley's Restaurant, 2991 Woodside Rd., Woodside, (650) 851-4988.

Adobe Creek: At Adobe Creek I was offered a choice of tables, which was then prepared for one. Greg, my server, was friendly and talkative, and he and the staff checked on me often and made me feel at home. Although I declined dessert, he brought a chocolate treat anyway.

Adobe Creek, 127 First St., Los Altos, (650) 917-2000.

Left Bank: When I arrived, a solo female diner was in the bar area. Once I was seated, the second place setting was immediately removed. Because the restaurant was lively, I didn't feel out of place or too alone, and Jennifer's service was prompt and attentive. I noticed another woman dining alone as I was leaving.

General Manager Kate Beasley says about 5 percent of her customers dine alone, many being regulars. She encourages solo diners not to be intimidated, adding that, "Anybody who has a passion for food and the French environment, whether they're alone or together, will have a good time here."

Left Bank, 635 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, (650) 473-6543.

Straits Cafe: This was a trying visit. The second place setting was not removed when I was seated. After a long wait, my server approached to ask, "Are you expecting another?" No hello or greeting. I was the only table for one, and felt diners and staff looking at me. When other tables were seated a server immediately approached, greeting diners with "Good evening."

Straits Cafe, 3295 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 494-7168.

Spago: The toniest place was my worst solo dining experience. The host left the second place setting. And it was five minutes before a server approached and asked, "Are we expecting another?" Again, no greeting. He brought two menus and put one down at the other place setting.

I said, "I think you've misunderstood, it's just me tonight."

But he still left the second setting. Finally I had to request it be taken away. At this point, I was ready to cry. My server greeted other tables immediately, handing diners an open menu, which he did not do for me. I also noticed the most stares from diners and servers here.

Spago, 265 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto, (650) 833-1000.

My solo dining experiences were mostly positive, and I'd definitely dine out alone again. Making reservations made the difference, as restaurants were prepared for me. Servers take note: You may think solo female diners don't tip well, but believe me, we're generous when treated well.

I've yet to find a restaurant in this area that has a communal table. It's a very popular concept in New York and even San Francisco. However, many other places around town offer full bar and chef's counter seating, including Il Fornaio, Bistro Elan, Evvia, L'Amie Donia, Wild Hare, and 3 Fish (see addresses below), where manager Rick Davis told me that 10-15 percent of his guests are solo diners. At all of these places, and those listed above, bar and chef's counter seating are first-come, first-served, but all accept reservations for a table for one. Bistro Elan, 448 California Ave., Palo Alto, (650) 327-0284. Evvia, 420 Emerson St., Palo Alto, (650) 326-0983. Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana Restaurante, 520 Cowper St., Palo Alto, (650) 853-3888. L'Amie Donia, 530 Bryant St., Palo Alto, (650) 323-7614. Wild Hare, 1029 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, (650) 327-4273. Have a tasty tidbit or comment? Contact Food Editor Mary Orlin at (650) 326-8210, ext. 312 or at morlin@paweekly.com. 

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