Y'know, I just don't get how some people can't eat alone. Don't get me wrong, I love good company over a nice meal and a few drinks, but damn I don't need to be smothered with it all the damn time. I'm the type of person who doesn't mind going behind her boyfriend's back (Not really, Babe. It's just an example) to grab something eat at the cost of their joint account. After a long day at work I don't want to talk to anyone. I talk to people all day. I feel so alive when I'm by myself. Everyone else is so involved with their dinner/cocktail socializing that it just makes me appreciate the fact that I have the confidence to go out on my own.
--Existential Funk Thought: Do you ever go throughout your entire day without saying one word? Like, go for hours and realized that you haven't talked to anyone...not even sung a song aloud? If you don't ever say anything, do you even exist? Does your existence only mean something if you have other people reaffirm your thoughts, ideas, anything? Yeah, that's the kind of shit I think about when I dine alone.--
Usually I'll go ahead and prop myself up at bar extra solo. I intentionally isolate myself from anyone else at the bar because I want to keep it solo. If I want to make friends, I'll find something to talk about with the bartender. That's what they're there for right? They get paid to mix up something that will make you feel extra sassy and continue on with whatever small talk you please.
Last time I went out to eat at a bar by myself was at the Paragon Restaurant and Cafe at the Claremont Resort in Berkeley. I went after a long day at work. A much needed glass of wine, Ferrari martini, and samples of a grapefruit infused vodka and lemonade cocktail followed short after...I may have missed a drink or two in there somewhere. The bartender was super nice. Everything that he was mixing up I eagerly asked what was in it. I find myself to be a better mixologist than a cook, hence my interest. I'm sure my boyfriend can vouch for that one. The bartender wasn't busy, and it seemed like he needed some help getting the old man to my left to get off his back who was ranting about nonsense politics that I'm sure was going in one ear and out the other. It's funny how far just asking a few questions can go. I asked how they infuse their vodka, and he instructed me how. The bartender poured my red zin in a bordeaux glass to make me look important. You know, as an indicator that I bought myself the most expensive glass of wine on the wine list when in reality it was their house zin. Oh, it's the small details that can make someone feel like they matter. The slight gesture definitely made me feel a little more at home...and made me look like I knew what I was doing.
The food was great. Their San Jose location, which doesn't exist anymore, had some of the best apps ever. So, at the demand of my taste buds I ordered what I was familiar with from the South Bay. Their tuna tartare with taro root chips followed by the bread budding. I didn't even really eat that much because I have a tiny tummy, but what I did have was great. I won't lie to you, the Paragon in San Jose had the BEST tuna tartare ever. This particular one was interesting because it had pumpkin seeds in it. Really interesting contrast with the tartare itself. Ok, if you ever go to Paragon in Berkeley you must order the Banana Bread Pudding. It is seriously amazing. The warm bourbon caramel sauce over the bread pudding is for those who have the sweetest of the sweet tooths. Ordering it a la mode truly makes it heaven on earth.
Overall, I say sitting at the bar by yourself if a real treat. No awkward pauses and no real obligation to talk to anyone that you don't want to talk to. It feels good to do things on your own. For me at least, every time that I've sat at the bar to have dinner and drink by myself, the bartender has been real sweet and has let me taste a few drinks for free. It's either I'm really cute or they're just trying to make me feel a little more at home...I like to think both. At the end of my meal I found that the bartender had given me the employee discount on food, two free drinks and a jar to take home and infuse my own vodka. Shit, goin' out on your own can be real treat. So, if I may advise, take yourself out alone one day. Sit at a table by yourself or find a seat at the bar. You might end up going home with more than you bargained for.
If you really need some help on how to eat out on your own, read this article--
How To Not Feel Humiliated When Dining Alone.
Or, if you really dread eating out on your own, feel free to give me a buzz and I'll keep you company. Dinner on you?
No comments:
Post a Comment