Fine dining restaurants serve up VIP tables for one as solo dining trend dishes out personal culinar

(3 Sep 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Francisco - 22 August 2024
1. Parisa Imanirad dines solo at Spruce restaurant
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2. SOUNDBITE (English) Parisa Imanirad, Solo Diner:
"I have so many friends. I love spending time with them, but I also like to have some time just by myself, and sometimes even going to a nice restaurant and having a very nice meal. I mean, it's very enjoyable just by yourself."
3. Spruce exteriors
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Stannard, Owner, Bacchus Management Group:
"There was certainly a period of time when there was no solo dining. Over the years I've seen it become more and more popular, sort of as the stigma of dining alone has faded. But it's certainly accelerated post-pandemic."
5. Various solo diner eating scallops
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6. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Stannard, Owner, Bacchus Management Group:
"Seeing a single person sit in the dining room, enjoying the experience, going out of their way to have the experience. And they're there simply for the food and the service, and the ambiance makes me really happy. Yes, we could probably ring the cash register a little bit more if another person was sitting there. But I'm honored to have single diners in the dining room."
7. Various OpenTable CEO looks at reservation website on phone
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8. SOUNDBITE (English) Debby Soo, CEO, OpenTable:
"Walk ins and solo dining are a pair made in heaven. So it's a great way to get access to restaurants that are often very booked out or very popular. And when you're by yourself, I think you can notice so much more right about the ambiance, about, you know, the service that you're getting about the food. You can order whatever you want. Which as a mom often is not the case when I dine with my family. Solo dining has historically been at the bar and we also see that activity very healthy. Bar seating is still very popular for solo dining or even groups. But we do see now there are set tables for solo diners. You go into a restaurant right now, a few people might be dining by themselves in a section."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
New York - 16 August 2024
9. Various exteriors of Avant Garden restaurant
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10. SOUNDBITE (English) Drew Brady, Director of Operations, Overthrow Hospitality:
"We have selected a table at our restaurant that really captures the breadth of the restaurant, situated in an area where people can see most of everything that's going on. One element that we'd like to incorporate is bringing the bar to them. So usually when you order a drink, it's crafted behind the bar. Someone brings it to you. But for our solo diners, the bartender will come over, kind of show you the different components, shake the cocktail and pour it for you tableside. Another really cool component is we have this little book and guests will leave notes for the next guest who is joining us for the solo dining experience."
11. Various table for one
12. Various tableside cocktail preparation
13. Various diner looking at sign-in book
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Drew Brady, Director of Operations, Overthrow Hospitality:
"Another really cool component is we have this little book that's kind of similar to what you'd get at an Airbnb where like Bill and Diana said they had a great time here. You should really try this. And guests will leave notes for the next guest who is joining us for the solo dining experience."
15. Various diner looking at sign-in book
ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Francisco - 22 August 2024
16. SOUNDBITE (English) Parisa Imanirad, Solo Diner:
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[@HanginInSF]

When it comes to fine dining I only want to be with my wife or solo.

[@Foxie635]

I do it all the time. I don’t get why not? You are hungry, why wait for anyone to go with you?😂

[@angeldreamzzz9692]

Why can this lady not eat what she wants bc she has kids?