It is such a shame that Brasserie Tatin closed. They treated me very well when I went there alone.

Usually when I eat alone, I'm not eating at the kind of place that has a maitre d'. Which I guess is the long way of saying I'm useless again.

I think Stone Mill is a great spot to dine alone. The food is comforting in winter and fresh in the summer and there is great people watching.

How about the bars at Grand Cru, or Cinghiale?

Does Grand Cru have any real food? EL

I first found Pei Wei in Orange County, CA, in November on a business trip, having been given erroneous advice that it was a good local joint. A gentle reader of this blog pointed out that there was one in Towson, and I have been several times since. One of the things I like best is the "bar" looking over the "open kitchen." (Since it's all one open space, please take these descriptions with a grain of salt -- no, make that a splash of soy sauce!) I bring a book or an article, or just sit there and watch and smell the action. I can take or leave tofu in most preparations, but watching that crew handle it made me want to try it, and it is now one of my favorites there.

I've always like Linwoods for alone dining. They have one or two small tables that are next to pillars where no one notices you and you can watch and hear all.

Linwood's also has a dining bar for solo diners that runs along the edge of the open kitchen.

Cross Street Market.

The best places to dine alone are the ones that aren't too crowded or happening.

There's few dining experiences more unsettling than sitting alone at a place that becomes busy and having nervous/antsy/increasingly frustrated couples and groups of diners not yet seated giving you the evil eye because you're dining alone at a table that could seat two or more.

That happens a bit in tiny places, especially rough when they seat you near the entrance and the glaring eyes of those waiting. Drama!

Thus, I eat at the bar a lot. Any place in Maryland will do for that.

I think the last time I dined alone was at Junior's Wine Bar...I walked by, it looked good, and I hadn't been there since it was Vespa. I sat at a hightop by the bar area, which was perfect for my solo dining situation. I'd recommend that sort of setup.

City Cafe is a good option for eating alone, but only in the coffee /counter area.

By in large, I find only bars or places with counter service work when dining alone. I'm not sure if there really is any place with table service that really works for the solo diner.

AK, unless it's changed, I wouldn't recommend dining alone at Cross St. Market -- unless you want to end up with a funny story like this one. Many years ago, when I was single, I went over to have some steamed clams at Nick's with my New Yorker (magazine). Sat down at the bar, opened the magazine, and was greeted by a large lady next to me who asked loudly: "Honey, where's your lover?"
I replied: "Good question, ma'am," and found another seat.

Grand Cru can put together a cheese plate and the like, but you can also buy food anywhere in the Belvedere market and take it over to eat with your glass of wine--I believe (it's been a while since we were there).

The Prime Rib, and I say this after eating there alone on my birthday http://steamedfemale.blogspot.com/2008/07/table-for-one.html but also then on New Year's Eve - I swear! Maybe by then it was old hat, but what I found was that no one was so bored that he or she spent time fixating on me sitting alone. Again, just like on my birthday, the staff could not have been more gracious and in fact, after 30 years of eating there, I had the best waiter - ever. I will never hesitate to eat anywhere alone again.

Last time I was at a sushi bar, I noticed a few people who came in by themselves. Seems like a good idea, because, if you choose, you can interact with the chefs or fellow patrons. In my experience, I have noticed that most sushi chefs are very good at gauging what level of interaction diners are up for.

When I was single, on Friday nights in the summer I used to treat myself to dinner at Sabatino's, then a gelato at Vaccaro's and then wander around Little Italy watching the people gather for the outdoor movie. The staff at Sabatino's were wonderful. I was always treated kindly, always got a good table--not stuck back in a corner--and never felt rushed by the waitress to finish up. And because of all the activity, I somehow never cracked open the book I brought along as company. Too much fun to people-watch!

I like SoBo Cafe on Cross Street to dine alone or The Abbey. Both of these places have nice bars where you can sit and enjoy your meal.

As far as I'm concerned, any restaurant that I would like to eat in is a good place to dine alone. There are, of course, some that are cozier or whatever, but I don't see any reason to deny myself a lovely meal out just because I don't have a companion. I often travel alone, so I have eaten alone in Paris, in Italy, in Latin America and in the US and have always been treated very well (and sometimes especially well because I'm alone). I never take a book or otherwise feel that I need to create a diversion for myself, and it has never occurred to me that anyone would be paying any attention to me or thinking that I'm pathetic for being there without a companion.

I have nice wine and take my time with each course--just as I would if someone were sitting across from me.

It's actually a great pleasure to be able to concentrate on savoring the meal, observing the drama of the scene in front of you, and--in the case of a foreign setting--having the leisure to carefully observe the cultural differences and discreetly listen to bits of conversation.

And when I see other women dining alone (and clearly enjoying themselves) in good restaurants I always think, "Brava! You know how to take good care of YOURself too."

I have eaten at Atwater's alone and I have seen people eating alone on multiple occasions. It is a very friendly place meaning you can eat without interacting if you chose and it is very easy to have a pleasant engagement and the food is very good with quick service. It is an inviting solo experience.

The last time I ate alone was at the Pier V Ruth's Chris at the bar. I was waiting for a show at Pier 6 and my friends were coming later. I thought it was very nice.