A Most Serendipitous Experience: Dining Alone
Dining. Alone.
Yes, it elicits funny looks from staff and patrons. Yes, you do sit there staring at the decor and ceiling a lot. And yes, you do realise that everyone who looks at you is thinking thoughts of pity (no friends) or confusion (what's wrong with you if you have no friends?).
BUT, you also get seated real easy. Real fast.
I visit Serendipity 3 - a funky restaurant on the East Side of Manhattan around 60th Street. I rock up at 8pm. There is a huge crowd waiting outside to get in, and the foyer is equally packed.
There's a 3 hour wait if you don't have a booking.
I am tempted to say, "Blow this, where's Starbucks?". But one to never give up easily (or to believe anyone who says there is a 3 hour wait for anything), I hotfoot it up to the Host in charge of 'the list'.
Christina: Hello. There's just me. Party of 1.
Guy 1: Party of 1? (expression that is less 'pity' than 'You're weird and that's not possible, because NO ONE dines alone').
Christina: Yes, there's only me.
Guy 1: (turns to a waiter) Hey, that table for 1. Is it free?
Guy 2: Yeah.
Guy 1: (to Christina) Follow me.
3 hour wait? Pfff. I rule!
Of course, my rinky-dink little table is wedged between a 'proper' table for 2, and it juts out onto the hallway right next to the fire escape door. But do I care? No. I don't! After all, there is plenty of ceiling and decor to stare at.
The decor is extravagant and excessive. Tiffany lamps, a glow of red and obviously designed and decorated by a woman who was a pack-rat who never threw anything out. Absolutely marvellous.
I have a great vegetarian steak burger, and a huge-ass (very appropriate for describing my own rear at this point in my travels too) dessert: Serendipity 3's world famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. It is half the size of my head. I'm talking serious eating here folks.
So I eat well, got seated in the first 2 minutes and managed to see what all the fuss about the place was. For those not in the know, it was the cafe where the movie "Serendipity" was shot - John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale share a Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. Of course, I would have preferred to also be sharing a Frrrozen Hot Chocolate with John Cusack too.
Truth be told. The staff look like they don't actually like their customers. But for the ambience and experience, I'd highly recommend the place. And I'd highly recommend you book beforehand.
Unless you're dining alone.
Which I think only I do anyway.
Yes, it elicits funny looks from staff and patrons. Yes, you do sit there staring at the decor and ceiling a lot. And yes, you do realise that everyone who looks at you is thinking thoughts of pity (no friends) or confusion (what's wrong with you if you have no friends?).
BUT, you also get seated real easy. Real fast.
I visit Serendipity 3 - a funky restaurant on the East Side of Manhattan around 60th Street. I rock up at 8pm. There is a huge crowd waiting outside to get in, and the foyer is equally packed.There's a 3 hour wait if you don't have a booking.
I am tempted to say, "Blow this, where's Starbucks?". But one to never give up easily (or to believe anyone who says there is a 3 hour wait for anything), I hotfoot it up to the Host in charge of 'the list'.
Christina: Hello. There's just me. Party of 1.
Guy 1: Party of 1? (expression that is less 'pity' than 'You're weird and that's not possible, because NO ONE dines alone').
Christina: Yes, there's only me.
Guy 1: (turns to a waiter) Hey, that table for 1. Is it free?
Guy 2: Yeah.
Guy 1: (to Christina) Follow me.
3 hour wait? Pfff. I rule!
Of course, my rinky-dink little table is wedged between a 'proper' table for 2, and it juts out onto the hallway right next to the fire escape door. But do I care? No. I don't! After all, there is plenty of ceiling and decor to stare at.
The decor is extravagant and excessive. Tiffany lamps, a glow of red and obviously designed and decorated by a woman who was a pack-rat who never threw anything out. Absolutely marvellous.
I have a great vegetarian steak burger, and a huge-ass (very appropriate for describing my own rear at this point in my travels too) dessert: Serendipity 3's world famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. It is half the size of my head. I'm talking serious eating here folks.So I eat well, got seated in the first 2 minutes and managed to see what all the fuss about the place was. For those not in the know, it was the cafe where the movie "Serendipity" was shot - John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale share a Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. Of course, I would have preferred to also be sharing a Frrrozen Hot Chocolate with John Cusack too.
Truth be told. The staff look like they don't actually like their customers. But for the ambience and experience, I'd highly recommend the place. And I'd highly recommend you book beforehand.
Unless you're dining alone.
Which I think only I do anyway.
posted by Christina at 10:55 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home