Solo dining in NYC

http://www.newyork.com/articles/restaurants/the-solo-diner-8-best-places-to-dine-alone-in-nyc-08762/

BabboSince opening in 1998, Babbo has consistently been one of New York City’s toughest reservations, but solo diners can usually squeeze in at the bar with no wait. The buzzy front bar – run by especially friendly, knowledgeable bartenders – is a perfect spot to dine while watching the downtown crowd flow in and out. But chances are that your attention will be on your plate: Chef Mario Batali’s seductive pastas are all the companion you need. Taste your way through the famous chef’s superlative pasta menu, from black tagliatelle and silky garganelli with mushrooms to agnolotti al pomodoro. The setting, too, caters to soloists: The cozy townhouse feels like a friend’s well-appointed home. And, the excellent negronis are the cherry on top. 110 Waverly Pl., 212-777-0303, babbonyc.com

Sushi of GariThis soothing sushi experience is ideal for the solo diner. Instead of losing yourself in chatter with a companion, concentrate on watching the artistry and skill of the sushi chefs at work. Grab a seat at the sushi counter and put yourself in their hands by ordering the Gari’s Choice, an omakase (tasting menu) made up of the best seasonal items of the day. Dishes might include steamed monkfish liver, deep-fried bean curd, pale-pink shrimp and black seaweed. Leave the books and magazines at home – this is one culinary experience that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the belly.  402 E. 78th St., 212-517-4340, sushiofgari.com

DinerIt’s been a long week. You deserve a burger. And not just any burger, but the legendarily juicy burger from a teeny-tiny diner car – Diner in Williamsburg. You could grab one of the booths with friends, but then your attention would be diverted from the main event: the meat. Instead, snag a solo seat at the counter and sip a draft beer or cocktail while musing over important questions like: What’s better – the anticipation of the burger, the burger itself or the memory of it after it’s gone? Once satiated, explore the rest of Williamsburg, which is tailor-made for solo revelers – pop into one of the many boisterous pubs, quiet wine bars and lively pool halls. You won’t be solo for long. 85 Broadway, Williamsburg, 718-486-3077, dinernyc.com

Gotham West MarketFollow your nose to Gotham West Market, an indoor emporium of temptations, from ramen to tapas to Italian sandwiches. Markets and food courts are made for solo diners, and Gotham West Market is a perfect example. Communal seating and ample counters are scattered about, so you’ll find plenty of spots to sit comfortably alone. Plus, with no companions judging your gluttonous ways, why not taste your way through a bunch of the stalls? Start at the counter of Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop for a bowl of noodles before nibbling gin-cured scallops and pungent cheeses at Cannibal. Top off the meal with a meticulously prepared coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee or a glass of wine at El Comado. Cheers! 600 11th Ave., 212-582-7940,gothamwestmarket.com

TerroirUninterrupted wine and cheese = the perfect solo evening. With a nice long bar and roomy tables, Terroir in Tribeca calls out to wine geeks. The affable staff at this “Elitist Wine Bar for Everyone” is seriously well-informed about every bottle on the list – so go ahead, get chatty and ask a few questions. Your conversation will likely spark an impromptu wine tasting, where you can sip your way down a line of glasses until you settle on a favorite wine. Refuel on cheese, gourmet snacks like calamari salad and duck Panini and another glass or three. Life is good. 24 Harrison St., 212-625-9463, restauranthearth.com

Harlem ShakeNot every solo meal needs to be a production. Sometimes you just want a big ole plate of comfort food. For that, turn to the no-fuss Harlem Shake. The burger is comprised of two (yes, two) Pat LaFrieda patties topped with melted cheese, piled onto a classic potato roll. Other favorites include the hefty chili-cheese dog and a gooey grilled cheese with a pickled cherry pepper-bacon relish. Wet the throat with one of their signature Harlem Shakes (red velvet flavor – yum) or go for something stronger, like a frothy draft beer. Order right at the counter, and then grab a table with views out the floor-to-ceiling windows of buzzing Lenox Avenue.100 W. 124th St., 212-222-8300, harlemshakenyc.com

AldeaA long gleaming bar with high-back stools: This is seating made for the solo diner. At Aldea, get ready for a savory night: The 9-course tasting menu by Chef George Mendes highlights tastes from Spain and Portugal, from warm croquettes with garlic aioli to mussel soup to octopus with smoked-cinnamon paprika. Make a reservation in advance for one of the six coveted seats at the counter that overlooks the busy kitchen – these are the best seats in the house. And by all means, splurge on the paired wine tastings: Dining alone is the perfect opportunity to expand your wine knowledge by discoursing with the sommelier. 31 W. 17th St., 212-675-7223, aldearestaurant.com

ButterAny place named after butter has to be good. And it is: Thick-cut veal bacon, homemade ricotta with fennel, crisp pork chops with collard greens. This is not the kind of food you want to share. And at Butter, you don’t have to. A long bar and communal tables appeal to solo diners, where you can relax over a cocktail before digging in to the farm-to-fork delicacies. And the dessert? You won’t want to share that either. Try the raspberry beignets with vanilla dipping sauce or chocolate malt ice cream with brandied cherries. 70 W. 45th St., 212-253-2828, butterrestaurant.com



http://firstwefeast.com/eat/table-for-one-10-great-places-to-dine-alone-in-nyc/

HIDE-CHAN

Neighborhood: Midtown East
Address and phone: 248 E 52nd St, second floor (212-813-1800).
Website: hidechanramen.com

Why it's good for rolling solo: In Japan, ramen is the pretty much the official meal of rolling solo. Most ramen-ya have vending machine-style ordering systems so you don't even have to talk to anyone, and one place I went to in Tokyo recently even had dividers between seats so you could eat in privacy. Unfortunately, some of the best spots in New York, like Ippudo, are set up more like regular restaurants and aren't that great for the eater who just wants to hunch over the counter slurping for 10 minutes. And Totto Ramen, while excellent and more in-line with the traditional ramen-ya mold, is way too busy for rolling solo (waiting in line for anything by yourself is not the jam). Fortunately Hide-Chan, just across town and under the same ownership as Totto, offers the best of all worlds: fantastic tonkotsu ramen and a casual counter area that isn't perpetually mobbed. Grab some gyozo and a Sapporo, obviously, but the main event is the ma-yu ramen, speckled with charred garlic oil that gives the porky soup a deep, smoky flavor.—CS

GRAMERCY TAVERN

Neighborhood: Gramercy
Address and phone: 42 E 20th St (212- 477-0777)
Website: gramercytavern.com

Why it's good for rolling solo: One of the key things that separates a great solo-dining experience from a horrific one is service. Too often, a restaurant that would otherwise be ideal for solitary meal is ruined by ornery waiters who treat you like a leper. Not at a Danny Meyer joint. The king of hospitality clearly instills respect for the lone eater. To see for yourself, go at midday and sit in the Tavern room. You will be treated like a king/queen, plied with excellent bread and butter, and offered the opportunity to order the lunch-only burger featuring a coarse grind made in-house, a whole wheat bun that's way better than it sounds, and a spread of homemade condiments. At this time of year, you might even get some ramp mayo, and you want to be alone when eating ramp mayo, so that you don't embarrass yourself with your own elation about eating ramps. (Resist the urge to drop a #ramps tweet.) And if you think off-the-menu burgers are mook bait (fair enough), you can order from seasonal menu and be confident that chef Michael Anthony's kitchen will deliver something excellent. Whatever you eat, treat yourself to a beer from the short but solid list of craft options—Gramercy Tavern offers small pours, ideal for solo diner who wants to sip (fun and relaxing) without getting shitfaced (depressing and embarrassing).—CS

THE COMMODORE

Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Address and phone: 366 Metropolitan Ave (718-218-7632)
Website: Facebook page

Why it's good for rolling solo: These days, there's not a huge distinction between bar food and restaurant food—the hottest dining rooms double as booze-fueled parties, and barrooms are as ambitious as ever with their grub. Yet somehow, this casual dining culture doesn't translate into a whole lot of places that are fun to eat at alone. You don't want to be in a seething hot spot, nor do you want to drop $60 for a few fancied-up small plates and a glass of wine. The Commodore achieves that rare balance that you're looking for in a bar-food outing: It's divey and friendly enough to make rolling solo totally comfortable, and you can eat grub that's cheap and cheerful—a pimento-filled "adult" grilled cheese, crisp fried chicken—without feeling like your slumming it. After a shitty day when you just want to get away from everyone, you won't do much better than a can of Schlitz and the tremendous Commodore cheeseburger, which sports a well-seasoned LaFrieda patty, half-sour pickles, lettuce, and olive oil-drizzled tomato. A Martin's potato roll and, sometimes, a cocktail umbrella poking out of the top, finishes the job properly.—CS

CAFÉ CHINA

Neighborhood: Midtown East
Address and phone: 13 E 37th St (212-213-2810)
Website: cafechinanyc.com

Why it's good for rolling solo: Kung pao beef delivery has long been the culinary salve of the lonely, but Café China provides a rare opportunity to actually go out and have a nice, sit-down Chinese meal on your own. Tucked away on a sleepy stretch of 37th Street (between Fifth and Madison), the Michelin-starred restaurant has a throwback vibe to it, evoking a New York when Eastern flavors were new and restaurants didn't scream at 100 decibels. It's the type of place that inspired Edward Hopper's "Chop Suey." Duck in, grab a seat at the bar, and order three-pepper chicken. You may recall, fondly, the slightly less refined Sunday takeout fare of your youth (this is, after all, the type of food that should now be classified American comfort food). In this way, Café China rejuvenates the soul. You may eventually want to go with friends, but to go alone allows quiet ruminations on the old, real New York to take hold. Leave feeling, as you should after all great solo meals, a few steps closer to that elusive epiphany.–NS

COPPELIA

Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address and phone: 207 W 14th St (212-858-5001)
Website: ybandco.com/media/coppelia

Why it's good for rolling solo: Julian Medina's take on the New York diner refreshes the classic 24-hour Greek luncheonette—always a good bet for rolling solo in the first place—and transforms it into a destination-worthy Latin joint. From nachos (built here with short-ribs) and burgers (topped with pulled pork and crunchy chicharrones) to more substantial dishes like rope vieja, the menu is full of hits so you can go back time after time without getting bored. When eating alone—and doing so frequently—it's useful to settle on one regular spot, a place where you are equally at ease at the bar or in a booth. Situated just off the corner of 14th Street and Seventh Avenue, Coppelia is that place. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, super-late night munchies—they're all covered. The staff is attentive and efficient without being invasive. The power play is an order of lomo saltado at dinner—a heaping bowl of stir-fried beef short ribs with fries, tomato, onion, and perfect white rice.—NS

UNTITLED

Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Address and phone: 945 Madison Ave (212-570-3670)
Website: untitledatthewhitney.com

Why it's good for rolling solo: The logical place for a solo dolo meal in NYC is the standard New York diner. You've seen Seinfield, you know the score. But the diner, once so prominent on the Manhattan grid, is a dying breed. Danny Meyer has flipped the script, turning the basement of the Whitney Museum into a farm-to-table version of a local icon. Order an omelet and an egg cream with Fox's U-Bet, or a salad and the burger, a pimento slathered patty melted served on griddled rye; you can't really go wrong (just don't forget to end with a slice Four & Blackbirds salted-caramel apple pie). You'll come back, and you'll begin to treat this little gem not as a museum café but as your go-to- spot. The natural inclination is to grab a seat at the bar. Don't. Sit by the window—this is one of the few places in NYC where a solo dinner can enjoy the sun without facing the scrutiny of the many bastards passing judgement on these streets.—NS

SUSHI YASUDA

Neighborhood: Midtown
Address and phone: 204 East 43rd St (212-972-1001)
Website: sushiyasuda.com

Why it's good for rolling solo: Eating at sushi bars alone is a total power move. A great omakase experience is all about the quiet rhythm of the way the courses come out, the savoring a perfectly fresh sliver of a fish, the attention to the tiniest details paid by the master behind the counter—all things that you can better appreciate it without the distraction of other humans. There are many good spots to do this in NYC—honestly, if I ever had enough money to go to Masa, I would definitely go alone—but Sushi Yasuda may offer the best sweet spot of quality and value (of course, $80–200 is not cheap, but great sushi never is). The calm, Zen-like sushi counter here is a great place to sit back and submit to the talents of skilled hands (pause). As Eric Asimov wrote in his three-star review of the restaurant, "I’ve come to believe that Yasuda is best enjoyed solo, at the bar." Amen.—CS

SAINT AUSTERE

Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Address and phone: 613 Grand St (718-388-0012)
Website: thesaintaustere.com

Why it's good for dining solo: Sometimes you just want to head out, listen to some '90s rap, and hoist a few glasses of Italian red. At Saint Austere old-guard wine bar pretension is replaced by new Brooklyn's industrial chic, but there's no eye-rolling irony. The small plates are excellent, and with plenty of good by-the-glass options, you can piece together your own miniature wine-pairing dinner without blowing the bank. The polenta with with spicy sausage and chicken jus is perfect; match it with an acidic red to cut through the richness. Other good bets in the past have included the charred octopus and the pork-belly confit with tart agrodolce. This isn't a mind-blowing restaurant, but it is a very good one that delivers a delicious, comforting wine-and-food experience at the right price.—NS

L'ARTUSI

Neighborhood: West Village
Address and phone: 228 W 10th St (212-255-5757)
Website: lartusi.com

Why it's good for rolling solo: People talk about Babbo being a famed haunt for the solo diner, but really? Babbo? It's almost impossible to get into, it's pricey, and Mario Batali's playlists are terrible. If you want to treat yourself to a nice Italian meal, head a little further west to L'Artusi, wherechef Gabe Thompson executes his boldly spiced, classically executed brand of Mediterranean cooking. The long bar, as well as additional counter seating extending along the open kitchen, is well-suited for solo diners. Both options are good, since the bar staff is friendly and knowledgable about sommelier Joe Campanale's smart list of Italian wines (many available by the glass), and the open kitchen provides some light entertainment. As for grub, start with a pasta course—the cavatelli with chicken ragu and capers, or the orechiette with sausage, salumi, and pecorino—then move onto a well-portioned protein, like charred octopus with chilis and pancetta. The food is great and the atmosphere is buzzy without being overwhelming. Here's to a refined evening on the town, without the inconvenience of having to talk to other people.—CS

SEL DE MER

Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Address and phone: 374 Graham Ave (718-387-4181)

To me, there are days when it's the best restaurant in New York. I often feel a weird invasive shame when I bring company. And they will never love it as much as I do. For one thing, it's a neighborhood spot, and because it's myneighborhood spot, I obviously think it's that much better than yourneighborhood spot. But step back for a moment, and take the long look on the L-line to examine the ever-overcrowded restaurant scene of Williamsburg that's now importing Manhattanites all the way back to the Graham stop with New York Times-starred restaurants (e.g., Gwynnett St.), and there it lies, a bastion of low-key salvation from the all-too-glossy neighborhood trend-dining of the moment: Sel De Mer. The French-Mediterranian seafood spot of Jeff Slagg is, for some in the 'hood, a home away from home, especially at the bar, where one can order a steamed lobster and fries for a meager $20, and that's only where the offerings start. It has, quite literally, everything you'd want on a menu you regularly visit: An excellent burger, with great fries. Some reasonably priced raw-bar seafood. A managable wine selection. Daily specials. And a few orders of vegetbales—a beet salad here, an acorn squash salad there—that has more or less fed this writer for months on end. But what makes a great neighborhood dining spot, besides great food, and an atmosphere that's neither over-the-top nor low-rent? The ability to strike up a conversation as easily as you can enjoy the ability to be completely left alone. And in a place with more regulars than non-regulars and a generally affable staff, there's no one who can facilitate that conversation or take that hint quite as well as other people who frequent a spot for the same reasons you do: It's close, it's good, and you're hungry. That like-minded understanding and locality can truly make all the difference. —FK

http://guestofaguest.com/new-york/restaurants/dining-solo-8-of-the-best-places-to-eat-alone-in-nyc

BUBBY'S

It's late Saturday night and you and your friends have been running around town hitting up the city's best bars and clubs. But now it's time for you all to part ways, and just as you get in your respective cabs, you notice a rumblin' in your tummy. Sure, you can roll by the millions of late night pizza joints for a quick slice, but why not treat yourself to more creative, solo, late-night dining experience?  Bubby's, a TriBeCa restaurant that claims to have stolen their recipes from Grandmothers all throughout America, offers a "midnight brunch" from 11pm-7am that serves the perfect, post-partying dishes including "Borracho Nachos," mac and cheese, and of course, Bubby's famous pancakes. Making the extra effort to go to Bubby's will make you and your stomach feel much better, especially when things start to become clear the next morning. Bubby's, 120 Hudson St, New York