To eat alone in a high end restaurant in London on Saturday night?

[mayfairtroubles]

Just that really. Friend cancelled because of a family emergency, was really looking forward to it after separating from ex DH in November. It's a high end restaurant in London Mayfair, feel a bit silly all dressed up sitting alone on a Saturday night. Don't mind eating lunch alone, but don't know about eating alone in a busy restaurant on a Saturday night it's next week btw

Leflic sorry but that is fucking weird

If when eating alone, you asked me to join you and whoever you are dining with to your table, I’d be proper freaked out.

I much prefer my own company than a table of randoms wittering on with themselves

@Leflic - Lone diners don't want to be patronised by random strangers!

Do it!
My “hobby” is staying in a hotel in our nearest city, shopping, theatre, and always go to a nice restaurant for dinner.
Its my downtime, peace, quiet, relaxing, doing exactly what you want when you want.
And at the end of the day we all need to eat, so the choice is treat yourself or feel you’re not worthy to be out and about as others may judge you? Fuck that!

I've done this, and it's great. Don't take a book, just enjoy the fact that there's nothing distracting you from the lovely food.
I've also had a random stranger come over and ask me if I was alright sitting in a posh restaurant on my own. It made me feel a bit self-conscious, like I was being watched. If anyone is thinking of taking pity on a lone diner, please don't. It's not like we're there by accident.

I've done it,taken a tablet with my fim if choice loaded,blue tooth ear piece visible and people watched and dipped and out if the film.I did book a table with a wall behind me and the view of the room.
I noticed how my choices changed if no one was eating with me and choosing several starters instead of a main is fun .

You should definitely go. You'll look mysterious and important. Waiters will think you are a restaurant critic so the service will be first class. I think it could feel very liberating in a way and that's probably just what you need. Enjoy!

@Leflic

Fancy London restaurant is a bit odd. - No it's really not.

Who wastes that sort of money? - it's not a waste.

I also aware I feel a bit sorry for anyone on their own and always invite them over if I can. - no one wants or needs your pity. We are fine. Happy in our own company actually and would rather NOT join you.

So it's complete bullshit people don’t notice you. - I don't care. There's nothing to "notice".

I like doing things on my own and have to agree with those that would be freaked out if a complete stranger asked me to join them. I would refuse, politely of course. Even if it was a pre-Christmas event and there were crackers handy, I'd cheerfully pull it with myself and sit there, hat and all.

I hope OP went.

I absolutely would do this and I’m very envious that you can! When i was younger i would’ve been far too self conscious but now I wouldn’t give a shit. You will look confident and glamorous and every other woman there will be admiring your confidence. Do it and enjoy every moment!

I’d still take my Kindle though.

I have done and would do it. I still do it now (I’m married but I like having a lunch or two by myself with a good book)

london-prive.co.uk/en/male-escorts

No I wouldnt do it. I think many saying do it wouldn’t either . Save it for when can go with a friend and enjoy it then with company. I don’t mind solo meals out but I don’t think you’d enjoy this .. wagamamas lunch yes, this no

I thought this was why kindles were invented.

Yeah, @FlapAttack, we’re all bullshitting and won’t even go to the loo without bringing a friend.

I wouldn’t go on a Saturday evening, you’d be surrounded by couples on date nights and groups of people partying etc. It’s typically a restaurant’s busiest time of the week so I’d also be a bit self conscious about “wasting” a table when they could have multiple people sat there instead, spending more money. It would make me feel slightly uncomfortable, would the staff think I’m a bit of a nuisance? I’d assume they’d want me to leave as soon as I’d finished eating so the table could be free again.

However I’m fine going to eat by myself at a restaurant any other time. It’s actually relaxing spending my lunch break alone as my office is loud/chatty - full of drama and theatrics so it’s nice to get some quiet time! Also as the restaurant’s quieter you tend to get better service/more relaxed atmosphere

Go! Take a book you haven’t had time to read but want to, order whatever you want. If I was at the next table I’d be so jealous! I’ve done it - felt awkward and then thought god this is LOVELY.

If you can, I would highly recommend changing the time to earlier to miss peak time, or even the date.

Also I wouldn’t get “all dressed up” to go out by myself to a restaurant.

Do what you want.
It's all 'an experience'.
If you don't feel comfortable don't do it.
If you do........do it!

@leflic

No offence but I'd be horrified and really annoyed if you put me on the spot like that. If I'm eating alone it's because I want to eat alone, not because I'm lonely with no friends 😳

This fills me with so anxiety I couldn’t eat alone. If I’m away with work I order room service!

Oh I would for sure

I eat out on my own a lot...but I wouldn't 'dress up' for the occasion 🤷‍♀️

If I didn't eat out alone, I'd have to go hungry, as I'm away from home a lot for one reason or another...and going hungry is NEVER an option 😂

I also go to the theatre, cinema and concerts on my own...and eat out first. I'm really not fussed what other people think (in fact until reading this thread, it hadn't occurred to me that 'people' might actually be thinking anything!! How weird if they are!!)

I don't think I've ever consciously noticed a lone diner either...I'm really not that interested 🤷‍♀️

@Leflic please, please stop inviting lone diners over to eat with you...it's fucking weird! I'd be totally pissed off if someone patronised my choices in this way! I'm very, very happy being out on my own...and your presumptions are way off!

We eat at the high end restaurants every couple of months, and there are always lone diners there.

A lot of people like to eat alone, travel for business, really love the food and just enjoy it in peace.

Take a book so it’s clear you’re there alone on purpose, settle in and enjoy yourself.

I honestly doubt many people would notice or think twice about it, I’d do it without hesitation.

Do it. Enjoy.

Once I was due to meet some friends in a pub and they all cancelled but by that time I was already at the pub. I had a meal anyway. The staff were very solicitous, I think they thought I’d been stood up by a man!

I've also had a random stranger come over and ask me if I was alright sitting in a posh restaurant on my own

WHAT ???

@Leflic - Lone diners don't want to be patronised by random strangers!

THIS !!!