So for the last two evenings during the Winter Meeting, you've dined with your colleagues (whom you LOVE dearly), and you're feeling like you need some time out on your own—alone. Or you've come to the meeting alone—and want to make the most of the town even though your colleagues aren't along this time.
Don't despair. New York is a city full of singles, who attend concerts alone, museums alone, and who even dine alone, frequently—and love doing so. In January, New York restaurateurs would rather give a single person a table than have a table be empty, so don't think of dining out alone as limited only to bar seating. And you'll experience firsthand how single diners are welcome in the Big Apple.
Here's a handful of suggestions of dining possibilities—all welcoming the single patron.
Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant, “below sea level in Grand Central,” on the lower level of the newly renovated terminal. The Oyster Bar, with its immense white ceiling and cavernous architecture evokes the essence of old New York. On the balcony level, don't miss Cipriani Dolci that specializes in Northern Italian cuisine or Michael Jordan's The Steak House NYC, complete with a gift shop (yes, you are still in New York, not Chicago).
Located on the East Balcony overlooking the Main Concourse is Métrazur, a stylish American brasserie—a perfect stop for a light snack or a leisurely meal.
Grand Central Terminal also has many casual restaurants located on the dining concourse level that are like cafés (complete with table seating) such as Café Spice, Two Boots (cornmeal-dusted, crispy bottom pizzas), and Masa Sushi. And for rave New York desserts (still on the dining concourse level), you won't know which to pick: Junior's, a Brooklyn legend famous for its cheesecake; or Little Pie Company, New York's noted pie patisserie.
If you want to combine some shopping with dining all under one roof, head over to Columbus Circle to the new Time Warner Center where you'll discover a variety of dining choices. For a casual meal, head downstairs to Whole Foods, the largest supermarket in Manhattan, with a roomy café that features a vast array of freshly prepared foods at what may be the city's largest food bar with a variety of ethnic cuisines as well as American fare.
At Border's Books, you'll find Dean and Deluca's café—a perfect spot for a salad, a sandwich and/or coffee and dessert.
For a sophisticated dining experience at the other end of the spectrum, head to the fourth floor and to the Center's bar collection, including some of Manhattan's swankiest new restaurateurs. Your choices include: Per Se, Bar Masa, Café Grey, and Stone Rose Lounge.
Avra-Estiatorio, 141 East 48th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues
An exceptional Greek fish restaurant with an intimate bar area that includes small tables as well as bar seating.
P.J. Clarke's, 915 Third Avenue at 55th Street
In the mood for a legendary hamburger? This landmark saloon has a bar that welcomes the single diner.
Le Pain Quotidien, 833 Lexington Avenue, between 63rd and 64th Streets
Belgian farmhouse style patisserie and café with communal tables. With a 7:30 a.m. opening for breakfast, the evening closing is at 7:00 p.m., so go early if you go for supper.
Maloney and Porcelli, 37 East 50th Street, between Madison and Park Avenues
Perfect seating for the solo diner is available at “The Chef's Counter,” which looks into the busy kitchen
Paper Moon Milano, 39 East 58th Street between Madison and Park Avenues
Wonderful pizza as well as reliable Northern Italian dishes.
Solera, 216 East 53rd Street between Second and Third Avenues
Featuring tantalizing tapas. A bit pricey, but where else in Midtown can you be Iberian?
Vong, 200 East 54th Street at Third Avenue in the “Lipstick Building” (so called by New Yorkers)
Highly inventive French-Thai cuisine.
Union Square Café, 21 East 16th Street between Fifth Avenue and Union Square West
Where “seats at the bar always assure a great meal” (so says Zagat).
Dorothy M. Jeffries is director of public affairs for the American Psychoanalytic Association.