For more California restaurants, click: Contest Restaurants Sooner or later, EVERYONE — business and pleasure travelers, singles, those divorced or widowed, very-marrieds whose spouses are on the road, harried moms and dads, etc. — faces the challenge of eating out alone! THE How-to Booklet of Solo Dining Tips & Strategies: The Art and Satisfaction of Dining Alone — REVEALED! is now available for purchase in PDF format! Los Angeles Area San Diego Area San Francisco Area Los Angeles Area Asia de Cuba & Seabar - Mondrian Hotel — (323) 848-6000; 8440 Sunset Boulevard., Los Angeles, California Amenities: Five years after opening, Seabar, the sushi bar located in the Sunset Strip hotel's lobby, still sets the standard for communal grazing and "gazing." This sexy Philippe Starck designed underlit alabaster table (32 ringside seats), serving innovative sushi nightly, is ideal for solo diners and those wishing to socialize with other Seabarites. The convivial atmosphere is due in part to an extremely helpful and well-versed staff. AND to an engaging selection of specialty sakes showcased in square wooden boxes. (Offering a neighboring diner a pour of your bottle of yahiorino junmai koshu — aged eight years, a slight hint of strawberry — is an elegant conversation starter!) A famed celebrity haunt, Asia de Cuba draws its share of the celebrated. Recent sightings include: Samuel Jackson, Lara Flynn Boyle, Alicia Silverstone, Randy Jackson, Will Ferrell, Cedric the Entertainer and Philip Seymour Hoffman. (Alicia, a vegan, noshed on a Tofu Tasting and Wok Sauteed Vegetables, while Cedric chowed on Char Beef Short Ribs.) Asia de Cuba at Mondrian's sumptuous dining experience is matched by its surroundings. With its phenomenal patio and white-on-white interior palette, by day Asia de Cuba at Mondrian embodies the quintessential California lifestyle. But by night, the celebrated restaurant at the Mondrian is transformed into a sensuous soiree showcasing cross-cultural cuisine illuminated by views of the city. Cuisine: Innovative Asian-Latin Price: Dinner Entrees — $23-39 (Check out one of the most expansive rum lists in L.A., with aged, spiced and infused rums from 17 countries and regions. Neighborhood: Sunset Strip Return to Top CineSpace — (323) 817-3456; 6356 Hollywood Boulevard, Second Level, Hollywood, California Amenities: Movie-lovers/fine cuisine connoisseurs rejoice! Destined to be a "must-visit" for solo business travelers, not to mention locals, CineSpace offers a glorious synthesis of restaurant, bar and screening room (A convivial cozy bar/lounge is an aprés screening magnet!) — showcasing independent films, classics, documentaries, animation, music videos, short films, DJs and live video artists nightly. The CineSpace concept, reminiscent of "dinner theater," was inspired in great part because of co-owner Kimberly Herrmann's exposure to San Francisco's Foreign Cinema. In discussing the two dining/cinematic experiences, she mentioned that films screened at Foreign Cinema served primarily as ambiance, whereas "viewing" was of paramount importance at CineSpace. According to Herrmann, their seating was focused on the screen and that, indeed, the room was rearranged every night in response to the reservation book. Cuisine: Contemporary American Price: Dinner Entrees — $10-29 Neighborhood: Conveniently located one block west of the Pantages Theater (Dinner available on the patio Tuesday - Sunday, starting at 6:00pm.) Return to Top Zen Grill and Sake Lounge — (310) 209-1994; 6356 1051 Broxton Avenue; Westwood, California Amenities: A wooden communal table seating 12 is located mid-room near the bar area on the second floor. (This convivial touch is not surprising. Partner Adolfo Suaya owns the very solo diner-friendly Gaucho Grill chain of Argentinean restaurants.) To make sure you get one of those seats for dinner, management suggests arriving early or after 9:00pm. P.S. You can enjoy the full menu at the adjoining bar seating 10 or at the bar below seating 60. Cuisine: Asian Fusian Price: Dinner Entrees — $14-28 Return to Top San Diego Area Hob Nob Hill — (619) 239-8176; 2271 First Avenue, San Diego, California Amenities: Hobnobbing has been part of the scene since HNH opened in 1944, but it occurred only at the counter until the restaurant expanded. And friendly, informal chatting continued in force even when the original curving 14 seater gave way to a scaled down six seat version, and a hearty helping of booths and tables. During the weekly lunch crunch, the counter is home for a fast-lunch solo bunch — mostly secretaries and lawyers. In the evening, the tenor of its guests changes and the tempo slows. The solo "mature set" settles into favorite booths, some with books in hand, and all looking forward to chatting with favorite waitresses. "It's a growing city, but I pretty much know all the faces. A different one means they're from out of town." You can bank on Alex Ramirez’ word. He began working here in 1985 when he was 17 years old. He notices and knows the regulars — the ones who appear every single day or every other day — and those who never miss a Saturday. He also recognizes the out-of-town regulars from places as far flung as Florida, Washington, D.C. and New York, the fabulous fallout from a '97 Gourmet magazine article that mentioned HNH. Cuisine: "All American" Filling Food Price: $9-12 Neighborhood: Downtown — First & Juniper Return to Top Savory — (760) 634-5556; 267 North El Camino Real, Encinitas, California Amenities: The Four Seasons Aviara Resort's loss (Carlsbad, California) is Encinitas' (plus all of San Diego area) gain. Chef/owner Pascal Vignau, a former Four Seasons executive chef, is at home in a lively, informal restaurant of his own. Happily for solos, it features a snug harbor perfect for them. Manned (or womaned) by a staff member as conversant in food service as in bar tending, the convivial counter/bar is THE place for solos. Tucked toward the rear of the restaurant, the spot WAS an easy place to claim a seat. Since couples discovered its appeal (They, too, recognize a good thing!), unfortunately,counter/bar seating is no longer an impromptu option. Avoid disappointment. Make a reservation. Cuisine: French-Mediterranean Price: Dinner Entrees — $14-22 (24 wines by the glass) (Signature comfort dish: mac'n'cheese) Neighborhood: From Highway I-5, exit Encinitas Boulevard going East, make a left on North El Camino Real (at Mountain Vista). Return to Top San Francisco Area Boulevard — (415) 543-6084; One Mission Street, San Francisco, California Amenities: Among Esquire Magazine's (1997) 20 best places in the U.S. for solo diners, Boulevard is located in one of the few structures spared from the 1906 earthquake and fire and is one steeped in stories. A favorite is the one about the former Bulkhead Coffee Parlor's saloon keeper who held off firemen ready to dynamite to halt the spread of fire during the quake. In order to save the building, he promised them two quarts of whiskey apiece and a firehouse cart full of wine! A favorite of the local financial crowd, counter seating (12 seats) allows guests to watch the activity in the exhibition kitchen with its wood-burning ovens. (Another seating option — the 20 seat-bar.) Cuisine: Classical French sensibilities and fresh ingredients form the backbone of a seasonal and modern American menu. Price: Dinner Entrees —$19-28 Neighborhood: Embarcadero Waterfront Return to Top The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco — (415) 296-7465; 600 Stockton Street, San Francisco, California Amenities: Former San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Robin Davis writes: "Damien O'Riordan, manager of The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, which gets as many as 20 solo diners a week, says he tries to seat them near the front of the restaurant so they can watch what's going on." Well done! But we can't resist adding a couple juicy details: Concerning "seating near the front of the restaurant," one of the most choice spots is tucked into a corner, close to the harpist and features good lighting. (The full menu is available at the bar.) As for those "20 solo diners" — they include solo hotel guests, traveling for business and pleasure, and locals. The latter do solo diners proud. They know how to luxuriate in dining. One regularly begins with a fine sherry at the bar, where he communes with the sommelier over the wine selection. The staff is equally savvy — and not necessarily through unselfish concern. ("Single diners tend to have a high check average," reports O'Riordan, confiding he too, finds that condition hard to escape when he dines out by himself!) Schooled in sensing when to chat up a solo guest, the staff is ever at the ready with an array of reading materials. The Dining Room is also among the increasing number of cutting edge restaurants catering to solos at special events. The table for eight seating attracts individuals who are forthright about their delight in combining fine cuisine with an opportunity to meet other people. Cuisine: Contemporary French Price: Food only — Prix Fixe selection: Six-Course: $68, inclusive of dessert Six-Course Vegetarian: $89 Chef's Nine-Course Tasting Menu available upon request: $115 Neighborhood: Nob Hill Return to Top Farallon — (415) 956-6969; 450 Post St., San Francisco, California "Just read your write-up in the 'Via' magazine [AAA Club of Northern California], and wanted to tell you about a very nice experience I had eating solo. I live in San Francisco, where we have 4200 restaurants, and I enjoy eating out often. Usually I go with friends or my husband, although he is NOT crazy about the more expensive ones. A few years ago, on my birthday, I wanted to try 'Farallon's' fine restaurant. Most of my friends had already been there, but I made a luncheon reservation for two anyway, thinking I would find a companion. I didn't. But I went, by my self, anyway. I told the two YOUNG hostesses, that I wanted to try the restaurant, but 'my friend had become ill.' but I decided to come anyway." They were so VERY NICE. Gave me a WONDERFUL table overlooking an open part of their kitchen, where I could watch the preparation, when not eating. The service was excellent, and the food was also. I had a DELIGHTFUL time by myself. When I left, the same two hostesses wanted to make sure I had enjoyed my experience, and I assured them I had. Nice that they remembered me, as the restaurant is large, and was busy. Naturally I have recommended it to all who would listen." Marilyn Amenities: A table for two in the Pool Room (main restaurant), with its open kitchen and lots of action, is THE favorite seating of solo diners (primarily out-of-towners, gender-balanced, 75% walk-in — 25% reservation). Another fun and far more social option is the Jelly Fish Bar (10 barstools and six tables for two). No reservations are required; parties of all sizes are accommodated. (Steer clear of the balcony. More private, it's perfect for couples.) Cuisine: Coastal Cuisine, with an emphasis on local farm produce Price: Dinner Entrees —$26-34 Neighborhood: One block east of Union Square Return to Top Zuni Cafe — (415) 552-2522; 1658 Market Street, San Francisco, California Amenities: SoloDining.com thanks Beverly Wilson who tells it like it is! Great solo dining restaurant! I have visited between two and ten times a year for the last fifteen. Here are the reasons why I return: (1) They actually have two tables for one, both well-placed, i.e. not smack in the middle of the room OR next to the kitchen door. Those tables for one greatly improve your chances of getting a reservation! (2) I've always found the servers to be attentive and friendly without being intrusive. This is very nice when you're dining solo. (3) I like to read while I eat at a leisurely pace. This feels fine at Zuni, unlike many other good restaurants. (4) I've never felt like I was being rushed to vacate my table, although the place is always full." Cuisine: Simple Mediterranean — Southern French and Northern Italian Ingredients Price: Dinner Entrees — $16-28 Neighborhood: Civic Center Return to Top Planning a trip? Visit our sister website. Click here: SoloTravelPortal.com If you have questions or comments about this Web page or site, e-mail: webmaster@SoloDining.com. © 2008 SoloDining.com Return to Top