Eating Alone – Make it a Pleasure

There are two types of single travelers.  Some are delighted to call it a day, whether it’s business or pleasure travel, and seek solace and sustenance by calling room service and vegging out.  They may have done too much shopping and/or sightseeing or had too many meetings and are peopled out. Their rooms are havens and their destinations of choice.  They want to be ready for what the next day brings. They’re delighted to have the opportunity to read, watch television and/or prepare for the following day’s meetings. Some people have eaten large lunches and prefer a light snack (or nothing) before they hit the sack. There’s the second type of person traveling alone who isn’t the solitary type and wants to eat out. Their idea of eating is not McDo’s. In Paris, as is the case in most cities in the U.S. and the EU, there are places where you can go and have wonderful meals and not feel alone. Some single women travelers are more restaurant-challenged, not wanting to appear on the prowl. The reality in Paris ise0TeBSZ that unless a woman is on the hunt, she’ll rarely, if ever, be bothered… unless she’s wearing come hither clothes. There’s a recent trend and it’s becoming global. Bars in some chic Paris restaurants have place settings during meal times.  Why not squeeze in a few extra covers?  It’s essential you reserve at some; however, it’s more than likely the restaurant manager will be able to squeeze in a solo as contrasted with a couple.   Wine Bars:   Wine bars generally serve food at the bar. Sometimes the food isn’t a five course dinner but often it is. People should always take something to read. But wine lovers share an affinity and frequently end up discussing the merits of different appellations.   Some wine bars that score high on the lists: Juvenile’s   47 rue de Richelieu 75001 01-42-97-46-49 Closed Sundays and Monday lunch. The owner is Scottish Tim Johnson and the bar attracts a lot of Anglophones.   Jacques Melac 42 rue Leon Frot 75011 01-43-70-59-27 Closed Sundays This wine bar is an institution and the owner is a character. The plats du jour are hearty but most people stick with the wooded boards loaded with charcuterie.    Willie’s Wine Bar   13, rue des Petits-Champs 75001 01-42-61-05-09 www.williswinebar.com Oeniphiles hang here to sample good to great wines. British owner Mark Williamson servers up more than presentable bistro fare.   Another favorite among the Anglophone group:   Cuban-American Juan Sanchez opened a wine store and soon after, followed with a restaurant called Fish.  Don’t get the wrong idea that only fish is served – rather, its connotation is “drink like a fish.”  The wine selection is extensive and the food is actually good. Regulars from the neighborhood stop by for a glass of wine and/or something to eat. The bar scene attracts all ages and it’s hard not to end up speaking with a neighbor.   Fish 69, rue de Seine 75006 01-43-54-34-69 Open for lunch and dinner everyday but Monday.   Sushi – Sushi! And more Oriental   Part of the fun of sushi restaurants that serve brochettes is sitting at the bar watching the chefs perform their culinary show. Again, singles don’t feel lonely even when they’re alone. If you want to strike up a conversation with your neighbor, you know what to talk about.  If you don’t feel like talking, tant pis. That’s up to the diner to decide.   Abuzu 3, rue Andre-Mazut 75006 01-46-33-72-05 Closed Sunday lunch and all day Monday. This Japanese restaurant is very upscale and the prices reflect it. As is the case with Japanese food in Paris, it’s expensive compared to the US. If you’re having Japanese food withdrawal, financially you’ll make out better if you go for lunch where there are moderately priced formules.     Japotori 41 Monsieur-le-Prince 75006, 01-34-29-00-54 Open every day and moderately priced. No matter where you look in Paris, there appear to be Japanese restaurants popping up. The adage that you can tell how good a restaurant is by the number of Orientals sitting at the counter may not be a bad one. When Japanese tourists come to Paris, they eat as if there’s no tomorrow.  Americans may find Japanese food expensive in the City of Light. But the Japanese pig out since it’s so much less expensive here than it is in Japan. Plus, they can order salmon which isn’t available at home.     Noodle Shops   If you’re on a budget or simply love Oriental noodles, you will think you’ve died and  gone to heaven if you walk down the Rue St. Anne in the first arrondissement. There are noodle shops everywhere. If you can’t read the menu, all you need to do is sit at the counter and point. Do bring your own reading material unless you can read ideograms.     French Diner with a Flair! …