Meal time is almost always a social time. However, there are instances when a meal alone can be just as relaxing and refreshing as it would be with friends and family.
But, where can you go and eat alone without feeling on display or actually feeling alone? Where can you eat surrounded by strangers, but feel as if you're in the comfort of your home?
The Food Critics will show you the best places to eat out alone. This week's panel includes host Charles Ferruzza of The Pitch and Fat City Blog, Mary Bloch of Around the Block, Emily Farris of Feed Me KC and Chris Becicka of Ingram's Magazine.
Providence New American Kitchen
1329 Baltimore in The President Hotel
Kansas City, MO 64105
Pierpont's Union Station
Great Restaurant Week Menu
Loved the root beer-braised short rib
MARY:
Reserve at Ambassador Hotel
1111 Grand
Food was excellent, easy to find parking
“Sexy” dining room
Gaslight Grill
5020 W. 137th Street (Former Plaza III Spot)
Excellent Food
Salmon with Leek Risotto
CHRIS:
Metropolitan KC in the Marriott
200 W. 12th Street
Wonderful remodel
Cold-smoked pork chop
Tandoori Fresh Bread For All Cafe
536 Westport Road
Mediterranean
Beef - delicious
Order at the counter
French fries - great!
CALLERS:
Carl - caller
Hotel Phillips - 12 Baltimore
Kitchen open late, weekends live jazz
Nola - caller
Lebanese Flower in Lawrence, just north of the Grenada on Mass.
EMILY:
715 in Lawrence
715 Mass St.
Arctic Char - Great!
Ada - caller
Shrimp and Grits at Chaz on the Plaza
Lisa - caller
Pierpont’s - Love the cosmopolitan feel
Tips for eating alone
- Bring reading material / and ask about the food
Recommendations:
Kristina
Cafe Gratitude KC - Don’t feel weird eating alone there
Chris
The Bristol - Out South
Zach - Liberty
Book, magazine, newspaper
Pizza Bella - counter
The Rieger -
Georgia - caller
The Elephant Bar or Cheddar’s
Forest - caller
Works retail, eats alone often
Andrew in KCMO - caller
19th and Main -best happy hour
Felix in Lee’s Summit - caller
Have 200 to Blue Stem, okay to go alone?
Vikci in Olathe - caller
Single since 1980s
Writes poetry, balances checkbook
Beth - email message
Better to say “will anyone be joining you tonight?”
Will in Lawrence - caller
Eating alone in NJ while on business - woman asked to join him for dinner
Then once with wife another woman sat down at their table
Christy - caller
Brio on the plaza - Restaurant week lunch, man across the bar paid for her lunch
One place to eat alone:
Chris - Brio
Mary - The Rieger
Emily - Urban Table