I've just come back from eating alone, it's not the first time, and I doubt it will be the last time. I'm a a premier inn with a brewers fayer attached. I'm here for work so I know I'll eventually get paid back for dinner, and I've already poked around the town - aldershot in this case, not that it would really make any difference to tonights experience I suspect - so I know there isn't really anywhere more exciting for food , well, there was a very nice independent Italian cafe, and the pasta a fellow lone diner had smelt amazing, but alas, it closed at 7 and I wasn't hungry then.
Anyway, so I'm resigned to eating at a brewers fayer, and to make my life easier, or maybe ease my lone dining experience, they include a copy of the pub menu in the hotel room. I've already been to tescos, I've got supplies (cider and popcorn for later). If I was with someone, my wonderful husband for instance, part of the excitement about eating out is looking over the menu, discussing options, maybe bargaining over choices so you can share something. It doesn't have to be romantic, even discussing a menu with a friend is all part of the fun of eating out.
So, having decided on a stodgy oven roasted chicken (my relationship with meat is something. I'll explain a little more in future I'm sure) I walk across to the restaurant. I know what to expect, I'm no brewers fayere novice, and there's something comforting about chains, you know what to expect, which is all part of the appeal I suppose.
I've ordered my chicken, and my disappointing pint of strongbow - knowing fully well I've got excellent local cider in my hotel room - and as I'm waiting for food I look around. I can spot another lone diner, and older guy and then probably a bloke around my age comes in.
I'm not on the prowl or anything, but I'm suddenly struck by how silly, or I suppose British this all is, all around there are people sat, on their own, playing with phones, or completing crosswords on a table for 2or 4, which believe me even a table for 2 feels big on your own, when the ideal solution hits me, a lone diners section. A big friendly looking set of benches, the kind you see in German bier houses or wagamamas.
Wouldn't that be lovely, lots of lone diners chatting to each other, about well anything.
Anyway, so I'm resigned to eating at a brewers fayer, and to make my life easier, or maybe ease my lone dining experience, they include a copy of the pub menu in the hotel room. I've already been to tescos, I've got supplies (cider and popcorn for later). If I was with someone, my wonderful husband for instance, part of the excitement about eating out is looking over the menu, discussing options, maybe bargaining over choices so you can share something. It doesn't have to be romantic, even discussing a menu with a friend is all part of the fun of eating out.
So, having decided on a stodgy oven roasted chicken (my relationship with meat is something. I'll explain a little more in future I'm sure) I walk across to the restaurant. I know what to expect, I'm no brewers fayere novice, and there's something comforting about chains, you know what to expect, which is all part of the appeal I suppose.
I've ordered my chicken, and my disappointing pint of strongbow - knowing fully well I've got excellent local cider in my hotel room - and as I'm waiting for food I look around. I can spot another lone diner, and older guy and then probably a bloke around my age comes in.
I'm not on the prowl or anything, but I'm suddenly struck by how silly, or I suppose British this all is, all around there are people sat, on their own, playing with phones, or completing crosswords on a table for 2or 4, which believe me even a table for 2 feels big on your own, when the ideal solution hits me, a lone diners section. A big friendly looking set of benches, the kind you see in German bier houses or wagamamas.
Wouldn't that be lovely, lots of lone diners chatting to each other, about well anything.