Eating Alone...A Moment of Bliss

I'm sitting at a trade luncheon that is taking place at a highly coveted restaurant that opened this summer in LA. Truth be told, the room is crowded with other journalists who have also made time in their busy schedule for a chance to experience this place.- a mecca to all things food and wine. For some reason, the way the larger tables have been configured has left me at a two-topper and my table mate disappeared with some cryptic excuse right after the first course of bass with heirloom shelling beans and braised scallions. Lite, so fresh and perfectly complemented by the beans which were so black in color they resembled nicoise olives. So here I am alone. Blissfully alone at a table in a crowded room - able to enjoy my meal at my leisure,clear my head and not have to hold up my end of the conversation. And I'm loving it. It's something that I don't get to do often enough and although some people complain terribly - my husband for one - at the thought of dining alone - it is one of the more pleasant meals out that -I've had in a long time. The meal today is an interesting juxtaposition given that most of the wines are priced for retail at less than $20 - and in most cases in the lower teens. Given our current economy, it's this category of wines - these were from France - that will most likely experience the greatest growth in sales in the coming year or two. Are they a good compromise if you're in a 'trade down' mind set? Definately. Save your money to spend on the food - even if you end up dining alone. Send me your thoughts on your solo dining experiences. Julie