AIBU to want to eat top-notch food on my own?

[surroundedbyvulpices]

I've been working my way through a list of Michelin starred restaurants in London, trying to get a booking just for me as a treat for when my DH goes swanning off on holiday without me (whole different thread). I'm coming up empty. They all ask for a booking for two or more. AIBU to want to pig out on an all-evening tasting menu (the kind of thing philistine DH wouldn't appreciate), and drown my sorrows with various posh wines as I wallow in my desertedness? If not, does anyone have any recommendations?

Hey, I'm pissed off enough that DH is in this evening instead of out like he promised.

No solo enjoyment of cauliflower cheese bake for me tonight

I couldn't begin to say why, because I do in fact quite like him, but his presence will utterly ruin it.

Is that just a default online thing though? Have you tried ringing directly?

Haven't you got a friend who you could go with? And no reason why you shouldn't treat yourself.

Book for two, then pretend to be stood up and then say “well I may as well enjoy the food” and go to town! You may get a load of sympathy free stuff too

I guess the more expensive places don’t want a lonely looking diner? I’m not saying you are lonely but that’s how they might be seeing it.

I have had the same trouble before, I went to a spa weekend alone and the fancy restaurants in the near by town wouldn’t let me book for 1 which was a shame as I didn’t want to eat at the spa every night.

I’ve eaten alone before at J Sheekeys because the business contact I was due to meet didn’t turn up. They were lovely and the food there is amazing if you like fish? A restaurant with a seated bar area is perhaps easier than a table for 1? I’m sure if you ring they’d accommodate you. It can’t be that unusual?

Yanbu, sounds heavenly op. I hope someone will give you a table.

It's because a table for one is the same size as a table for 2, but they only get money for 1 person. Book for 2 and get stood up.

sounds like heaven, can I join you??!

(more seriously - book for two and get 'stood up'. I'm sure they won't refuse to feed you!)

We've been to Le Gavroche a few times for special occasions, there's been solo diners at lunch and the one time we went at night. We did the tasting menu with matching wines once, it was amazing.

Can you try booking with bookatable? Link has options and availability for one diner. www.bookatable.co.uk/campaigns/michelin-star-restaurants-london?page=1&dateTime=2019-08-10T19%3A00%3A00&covers=1

Strange. It never occurred to me that that would be a problem! (But then, I don't really have a fancy restaurant type of personality...)

I'd assume it's because they don't want too many empty chairs. A table with one person probably (usually) means less money than at least two per table.

( at the suggestion to book for two and then have the other "person" just not turn up!)

I’ll come with you

Go for somewhere with seats at the bar. DH and I often eat in Bocca di Lupa in Soho when we're in London separately.

Hey ill come with you. Bet be more of a laugh then with DH about anyways lol.

Cocktails anyone??? lol

I'll come with you, I'm always up for a decent dinner in London, not far away and like to invest my money in lovely meals rather than anything else!

I would imagine it's just the default on online booking tool. Try ringing the restaurant.

I just book for two and then at some point say my friend can’t come now. It’s never a problem esp once you’ve got your first drink and therefore owe them some money

Book for two, then pretend to be stood up and then say “well I may as well enjoy the food” and go to town! You may get a load of sympathy free stuff too

I wouldn't. Some of the cancellation fees are almost as much as a meal! (funny that)

Call to book, solo diners are no problem. Lots have seating at the bar/kitchen for solo diners.

Is the issue the taster menus as opposed to the single booking maybe? As in they are made for t least two so a single serving doesn’t work for them. Not that it’s your problem but wondering if that’s the issue.

If I lived in London I’d join you. I love food esp Michelin star.

In my absence I agree you should book for two then say you’ve been let down (though check their T&C’s that they don’t charge for a no show)

Please report back in full and unedited detail about all you eat, with pictures, so I can scoff vicariously

Not sure I have the guts to book for two and be 'stood up'! I always feel bad when taking up a space where another paying guest could sit (restaurants with bar seating are a good idea).
I will try booking direct rather than trusting internet booking systems with standard options. Although, quite a few restaurants state on their websites, before you even get to the booking stage, that there have to be at least two of you to book a tasting menu. Makes me feel like I'm doing something I shouldn't!

Why feel bad? It’s the restaurant that decides not to make spaces for single diners thus forcing there to be an empty space. Agree you need to check re cancellation charge but other than that I do it no bother ( but not routinely..only if they won’t book me as a lone diner the first time)

To all those people offering to give with OP, she wants to go on her own!