458709 Thu Nov 08 15:26:28 -0800 2007 22 18 Manhattan 0 3108364 I will be alone on Thanksgiving Day this year and want to have a great meal at a nice restaurant, preferably one with a communal table or other comfortable situation where others will also be dining alone. Any suggestions? Thanks. Thu Nov 08 15:26:28 -0800 2007 63044 originalfoodie 1 3108802 Sorry to hear that you will be solo on Thanksgiving Day, but I'm impressed that you aren't going to let that stop you from having a delicious meal. :-) Iirc, dbBistro Moderne has a communal table. They are serving Thanksgiving dinner, and the food is bound to be excellent. Worth checking out. http://www.danielnyc.com/dbbistro Thu Nov 08 17:41:49 -0800 2007 3108364 13867 RGR 2 3108885 Thanks, RGR, but dbBistro Moderne has no openings (according to Open Table). Any other possibilities? Thu Nov 08 18:16:45 -0800 2007 3108802 63044 originalfoodie 3 3109170 Restaurants often hold back tables from OpenTable. That may especially be the case with a communal table. So, to be absolutely certain that db is totally booked, give them a call. Thu Nov 08 20:19:34 -0800 2007 3108885 13867 RGR 4 3110208 I did just make a reservation at db Bistro Moderne for Thanksgiving, but since I've never been there the seating arrangement sounded a little odd to me--the reservationist said that they have several high-topped tables (with high chairs) seating from 2 to 6 people in what they called the bar area. It didn't sound so welcoming to me--have you (or anyone else) been there and could you tell me what it's like? What I had in mind was a regular table with regular chairs...Also, since I live on the Upper West Side, I'm interested in Telepan--anyone know what their communal seating is like? Again, thanks for all the input. I appreciate it. Fri Nov 09 08:52:24 -0800 2007 3109170 63044 originalfoodie 5 3111357 Unfortunately, we haven't been to db in quite a long time. I'd actually never seen the communal table -- only heard about it. Obviously, if they ever did have one, they've dispensed with it. High tables seem more appropriate for bar snacking, not a formal dinner. And even if you are fine with that, are they going to put 2 to 6 solo diners at each table? Overall, it doesn't sound like a very inviting prospect. :-( Le Pain Quotidien has communal tables in all their locations. In fact, that's one of their main features. I have no idea if they're serving Thanksgiving dinner. Fri Nov 09 14:10:38 -0800 2007 3110208 13867 RGR 6 3112158 You read my mind, RGR! The communal tables at Le Pain Quotidien were exactly what I envisioned. I doubt they will be open on Thanksgiving, but I will check. Fri Nov 09 20:42:23 -0800 2007 3111357 63044 originalfoodie 1 3109057 Hey originalfoodie, this is a great site: http://nymag.com/guides/holidays/thanksgiving/reservations/ I'm thinking either Sylvia's or BLT Market or Telepan for me. I'm guessing that a lot of people will be in the same boat we are, so there won't be any weirdness at all about dining alone. It's actually a pretty darn good chance to meet some new folks in the city! Thu Nov 08 19:31:53 -0800 2007 3108364 64215 cimui 2 3110303 I just called Telepan, and they aren't having a communal table for Thanksgiving :(... Fri Nov 09 09:16:53 -0800 2007 3109057 63044 originalfoodie 3 3111749 Ah, sorry, I just thought a communal table was preferable, not required. =( I'll keep my eyes peeled for you! Fri Nov 09 16:36:38 -0800 2007 3110303 64215 cimui 1 3109094 Hi - Holidays are a time to gather with others and I was sad to hear you don't have anyone to be with. I hope you have a nice time wherever you end up. I thought you might want to look into http://www.thelunchclub.com/ they sponsor events/meals/holidays for those who don't have plans - very affordable and "normal" people attend! this year they are organizing a thanksgiving dinner at Spring Street Natural. might be something worth looking into??? have a great one! Thu Nov 08 19:46:39 -0800 2007 3108364 130143 wolverinegal 2 3109163 Thanks, wolverinegal. It is awfully sweet of you to post that! Please don't think it's always a sad thing, though. My folks live far from here, so I've almost always been a Thanksgiving "orphan" and hosted t-giving meals for other t-giving orphans. I actually enjoy it a lot: the emptiness of the city, rollerblading in the middle of a usually busy street, and most of all, bonding with other orphans. This year, for various reasons, I won't be able to host or see most of my crew, but that won't stop me (and it shouldn't stop anyone else!) from indulging, anyway. I look forward to a great meal ... if only I can pick which one! =) Do you have a favorite, of Sylvia's, Telepan, and BLT Market? Pretty different places... Thu Nov 08 20:16:23 -0800 2007 3109094 64215 cimui 3 3110365 If you are okay without the communal table I would strongly recommend Telepan. Wonderful food, great service. I would imagine the TDay menu will be great. Fri Nov 09 09:32:30 -0800 2007 3109163 124622 Spiritchaser 4 3110392 They only had large tables (for large parties) available, so I'll try it another time. Fri Nov 09 09:40:53 -0800 2007 3110365 63044 originalfoodie 5 4202874 How about compromising and eating at the bar at Telepan? Wed Nov 26 04:35:42 -0800 2008 3110392 117271 Stuffed Monkey 2 4203105 I am one of the few who is willing to admit that his lack of Thanksgiving plans is totally depressing! Which is why I planned on skulking away to Flushing to go on a solitary expedition exploring the Szechuanese food stalls at Golden Mall, but The Lunch Club sounds like an interesting idea! I will have to look into it --- thanks for the info! Wed Nov 26 06:41:29 -0800 2008 3109094 68363 JungMann 1 3110144 Last year I went to Roy's in the Financial District by myself. I sat at their Chef's Table area (the counter facing the kitchen, and it was not uncomfortable at all, and was actually fun to interact with the chefs (as a biproduct got to taste alot of dishes that I did not order). Fri Nov 09 08:40:01 -0800 2007 3108364 20792 Mike M 1 3111668 not sure if they will be serving on T-day but Bouchon Bakery has a nice communal table and good food. there is always a buzz in the Time Warner Center. note though: the table and chairs are cocktail height as they are at DB Bistro. Not sure why this is an issue, but just wanted to make you aware. Fri Nov 09 16:06:16 -0800 2007 3108364 20483 jenniebnyc 1 4200069 Dear originalfoodie: I live in Netherlands, and find myself in NYC on Thanksgiving, also alone. Just found out that there is a dinner at Marseilles from 4 - 6 pm; this might be the answer. What do you think? Mon Nov 24 23:58:14 -0800 2008 3108364 243225 Nederlandslady 2 4200304 Nederlandslady - I hate to be the one to disappoint but originalfoodie posted their message about Thanksgiving last year. Tue Nov 25 05:37:55 -0800 2008 4200069 124622 Spiritchaser 2 4202652 Nederslandslady - there are still openings (OPENINGS!!!!) at Momofuku Ko for Thanksgiving dinner. Good luck and have a fabulous Thanksgiving (I'm almost ready to cancel family plans and go Ko) Tue Nov 25 21:52:11 -0800 2008 4200069 73766 elyseNY 1 4202983 I am in the same boat as you and was thinking of trying one of the nicer hotels in the city. Most of the nicer hotels are bound to have a sit down dinner or buffet and there should be a few solo travelers that find themselves alone in the city. Wed Nov 26 05:54:27 -0800 2008 3108364 41793 Blakekitty 1 4204615 Well, I'm obviously late to the party - but it sounds like someone should call a chowdown! Choose someplace that won't be packed (as it's too late to get an actual head count) and a time, post it here, and see how many hounds show up! What a great way to spend a "food day"!!! Wed Nov 26 17:43:57 -0800 2008 3108364 16129 fredid