Mouthful - Alone, but not lonely

A few choice spots for dining solo

I’ve never been nervous about eating alone, but I know lots of folks who feel self-conscious about it. I can understand why. Dining alone in America often has an odd, unfounded stigma attached to it, as if by venturing out for a meal on your own, you’re some sort of friendless, loveless outcast. That’s absurd, of course, though eating out for most Americans is largely a social event, a backdrop for the evening’s entertainment. Furthermore, many restaurants in the U.S. are geared toward volume: They want large crowds and quick turnover, and they aren’t always warm and hospitable to single diners.

But whether you’re traveling, escaping your life for a night or you just feel like treating yourself to a memorable meal after a shitty day, dining solo has its merits.

An ideal restaurant for eating alone is one in which the food is worthy of the diner’s attention — and yet it isn’t too outrageously innovative either. Quiet satisfaction is what you’re after. You’ll find it at the following six restaurants.

Au Rendez Vous

This Brookhaven charmer is the ideal place to bring a book and a half-bottle of wine (it’s BYO Whatever) to settle in for a couple hours. For some of the best prices in town, you get a classic French bistro meal — complete with the relaxed Parisian service. Don’t skip the dessert crepes. 1328 Windsor Parkway, 404-303-1968.

Floataway Cafe

When you’re fed up with the world around you, this is the place to disappear. Ask for one of the tables in the back, and take a deep breath as you peruse the daily-changing menu. Vegetables taste fresh out of the ground and the seafood would have you believing that Atlanta is poised on the water. Go ahead, splurge and order a cheese plate. 1123 Zonolite Road, 404-892-1414.

La Tavola

This is one of my most frequent stops for solo dining. Sidle up to the bar, where a fun, quick bartender will set a place for you and serve you fastidious renditions of classic Italian dishes. Half-orders of pasta make decisions easier — I always end up ordering both spinach and veal manicotti and spaghetti with meatballs, greedy-guts that I am. 992 Virginia Ave., 404-873-5430.

Rincon Latino

Sometimes you just want to try something funky where no one knows your name, much less speaks English. Give the beaming server your order by pointing at the menu. It’s the pupusas you’re after — warm cornmeal cakes stuffed with white, melty cheese and and shreds of pork (if you’re feeling omnivorous). The guacamole ain’t bad either. 5055 Buford Highway, Chamblee, 770-936-8181.

Soto

OK, this is an exception to that non-innovative rule, but it’s still the best place in town for remarkably fresh sushi and outrageous riffs on Japanese fusion. Since single spaces frequently open at the bar (which is where everyone wants to sit), lone diners are at an advantage. Flash your best smug smile as you walk to the front of the line and take a seat where Chef Sotohiro Kosugi himself stands front and center, preparing his mad-scientist concoctions. 3330 Piedmont Road, 404-233-2005.



Chowed alone at any good spots lately? E-mail bill.addison@creativeloafing.com.






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