The perks of a solo date in the city where getting a restaurant reservation can be a game of chance and skill. Long wait times evaporate when you arrive alone; Popular spots like Thai Diner just north of Chinatown and Torrisi in SoHo usually have seats immediately available. “[Torrisi] I just got a Michelin star this year, so it’s always criticized,” Romero said. “But I might just come in for lunch solo and grab a seat at the bar. I would never be able to do this with two people. »
According to Romero, any place with a bar is generally a safe bet. “I like going to hotel bars. Le Beekman [in Lower Manhattan] has always been one of my favorites. The environment is simply magnificent. Every time I’m there I feel mysterious. »
Romero also takes a page from the Japanese book, where a single table is more culturally common.
“I love omakase for being alone,” Romero said of the classic, intimate sushi bar dining experience, where the chef prepares a personalized, multi-course meal for diner based on seasonal ingredients and his personal whims.
“I always end up talking to the chef. I can also really have a good time with anyone around me,” Romero said.
His favorite spot in Omakase is Matsunori on the Lower East Side, which also allows diners to bring their own alcoholic beverage. “You can have a bottle of wine and treat yourself,” Romero suggested. If Matsunori is full, Romero suggests the neighboring Taikun. “The chef made me laugh the whole time,” she said.
The most common questions Romero gets from fans who are afraid to embark on solo dates come from a fear of dining alone. His most valuable pearl of wisdom comes from the anonymity of the city: “No one really focuses on you. Everyone lives their own life, so who cares if you’re sitting alone at dinner? You have to get out of your head and be present. and in the present moment. Be grateful for this moment. It’s the best.
