Singles serving

A dramatization of the author’s big night at DuMont Burger.

Photographs: Zandy Mangold

As a freelance writer, I work at home, alone. I live alone, travel alone and occasionally go to the movies…alone. I also happen to be single. Lately, I’ve noticed that dining alone is easier than ever—at a growing number of restaurants (Mercat, the Momofukus, Degustation), the bar is the hottest seat in the house. I decided to test the trend and see if the dining bar could be a worthy pickup-spot substitute for the boozing bar. I gave it a shot at three promising destinations—a sushi restaurant, a burger joint and an enoteca—alone.

Monday
Gari (370 Columbus Ave between 77th and 78th Sts, 212-362-4816)

7:15pm
I peer inside. Two thirtysomething guys, perhaps on a man-date, are a good distance from the sushi bar where I plan to settle. The remaining space hosts a mix of women and well-heeled couples. Not promising.

7:18pm
I claim my reservation for one. (Good news, singles: OpenTable does solo rezzies.) The hostess guides me to the sushi bar, and there he is: a lone guy reading a magazine, wearing—oh no—a wedding ring.

7:25pm
With four empty seats between me and my wedded friend, and five unclaimed spots to my right, I am in no-man’s-land. The most accessible male is the sushi chef, Peter, who takes my order: “Traditional sushi or Gari-style?” Gari-style, of course! I pop some seared yellowfin tuna annointed with a tomato compote into my mouth: phenomenal. Who cares if no one’s next to me?

7:42pm
A woman settles to my right, coolly opens her menu and orders a Sapporo. Rosita (as she introduces herself), a consultant from Austin, regularly dines alone. I blow my cover, and Rosita confirms that my strategy could bear fruit, as she recently met her boyfriend while dining at the bar. I am suddenly optimistic.

8:16pm
Rosita and I are now in sync with our omakase, savoring each bite together as she recounts her various solo-dining anecdotes. According to her, “The best conversation starter is food.” With my newly gained wisdom, I am determined to find a love connection on my next outing.

NEXT: Tuesday »