Dinner for One without a Phone.

A 2020 survey (pre-pandemic) by The NPD Group showed that solo diners have increased to 35% of the restaurant industry’s clientele while groups of 2 and 3 have decreased - only 4’s have shown a modest increase. Now what do solo diners often do when they are by themselves at a restaurant eating in silence? They look at their phones…

Here are some tips for what to do when you are eating by yourself, OTHER than looking at your phone the whole time (aka multitasking at the table!)

• Talk to the people at the next table! You never know where a conversation will go.

• Talk to the wait staff, the chef, the owner. They probably have great stories to tell. (if it’s busy, then other diners are probably a better option for a relaxed conversation).

• Eat slowly, concentrating on the tastes and sensations of each bite.

• Focus on the food - many quality oriented restaurants will be proud to share information about their suppliers and give you an insight into their ingredients.

• Experience the atmosphere, the ambiance, the lighting, the sounds of the restaurant. Look around and notice things that you can only see if you look and might have missed if your eyes were on your phone.

• Fully immerse yourself in the experience. You will come away refreshed and nourished on more than one level.

So make a reservation for one, and enjoy the experience in real life in full!