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Table for one

Studio apartments, solo travelling and movie nights in one’s own company are a few of the things that have becomes much more common than ever before.

Table for one

A book can provide company for lone diners Thinkstock

 

 



Aditi Garg

Studio apartments, solo travelling and movie nights in one’s own company are a few of the things that have becomes much more common than ever before. With the exodus to big cities for higher education, in search of jobs, search for a better life and to pursue a dream, a lot of people find themselves living all alone. Working long hours, they hardly have time to make the commute from work to home and cooking up a meal is the last thing on their minds. Where there is an opportunity, the market also starts to work around it and come up with innovative solutions. Hence, there is no dearth of food joints that are catering to this rising need and trend for those dining alone.

Solitary eater

For most restaurants, the smallest table they offer is a table for two. And for the longest time there really as no need to have a table for one, but things are slowly changing. An ever growing tribe is eating out alone, due to the sheer lack of a companion or out of choice. There was a time when a single diner was looked upon as a liability, sometimes still is, who would occupy a table that could have served more people. They would inevitably end up on a table in a secluded corner where the waiters would make them feel so out of place that all they would do is hurry up with the meal and leave as soon as possible.

Many establishments now pride themselves on their service and look upon lone diners as they would at families, with due respect. Also, the times are such that a bad review is enough to get any place a bad reputation and that is never good for business. Puja Agarwal, who works at Infosys, Pune, and hails from Delhi, finds herself eating out alone once in a while. She says, “I venture out with a book and head to one of the cafes where my order is not rushed and I can unwind. If I am in the mood for something fancier, I prefer Polka Dots which is a fancy Italian place and Melange; both have good food and a wonderful ambiance with warm staff. To indulge my breakfast cravings, I head to Yogi’s Tree for their delicious pancakes.” While eating out alone is not the norm, now it is not an anomaly either.

Tiffins, bowls and thalis

The thali has always been a much loved Indian platter of choice for families and loners alike. The concept is catching on like never before and is being offered with not just Indian food, but also as Chinese thali, continental thali and pre-plated meals in a range of cuisines and price points. From posh restaurants to humble establishments, the thali is ubiquitous.

For those eating out on their own, there is no better way to eat varied fare without burning a hole in the pocket. Restaurants like Rajdhani, Maharaja Bhog, Sagar Ratna and more bring to you many flavours put together in a single delightful platter. The Asian and western counterparts have come up with equally enticing options for those eating alone in the form of value meals and bowls. Yo China!, Cafe Coffee Day and KFC offer meals in a bowl which are very popular. Many students who look for easy pricing prefer to go in for combos like rajma chawal, kadi chawal and chicken curry with rice. These are available at not just eating joints such as Sindhi Sweets but also at supermarkets like MG Supermarket, Punjab Stores and more in Chandigarh.

Every city has their own hot spots that are frequented by students, corporate staff and others who want to grab a bite without it weighing heavily on their wallet. Be it Mumbai’s Tiffinbox etc., Delhi’s Punjabi by Nature Quickie or Bangalore’s Mavallie Tiffin Room, they are a big draw for families and solo diners alike. Their tiffins, buffets, thalis and bowls make for a flavourful, satisfying meal. Says Prarthana More, working with Tiffinbox etc. in Mumbai, “Though most people come in groups, we do have a couple of people dining by themselves everyday, mostly for lunch. The big draw for them are the buffet and tiffin meals while the a la carte has its own following.” It helps that it is a fast-paced Indian restaurant specialising in authentic regional food including dishes from Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Gujarat & Sindh, catering to varied tastes.

Fast and healthy

As life gets more fast-paced, there is lesser time to indulge in exercising and planning a healthy diet. The solution to the problem comes in the form of enterprising food joints such as Subway, Pita Pit, Salad Chef, The Health Box and Pure & Natural that serve food that is fast but not junk. From covering your requirement of vegetables and fibre, these places are best for when guilt about eating unhealthy food raises it head.

Raj Kumar, who manages Pita Pit at DLF Cyber Hub, Gurgaon, says it is the health aspect of the food they serve coupled with the live assembly and cooking that is a major draw. “A lot of people from nearby offices drop in here for a meal, with friends and by themselves, especially during lunch time. The pricing is moderate and that helps as well,” he says. Eating out at a fancy restaurant is impractical everyday and road-side food is likely to play havoc with your health, so there is an increasing demand for food that is light on the stomach and on the pocket as well.

Eat alone as a community

A new trend in eating is that of community eating. A way to eat with strangers, sharing a table and most of the time, ending up downing shots and breaking bread with them. A lot of cafes, bars and fancy places have a long table where anyone is welcome to take a seat and sit with others having a meal alone. Copa in Mumbai encourages you to share a table with people you don’t know. Community tables are cropping everywhere from Re:cess in Bangalore and The Table in Mumbai to La Compagnia community eating events by TimesCity and people are mingling with those they share the table with. Food is, after all, all about bonding and with families in far away cities, these strangers are the nearest semblance of a family for many people. For others it is the sheer thrill of meeting new people and making friends over food.

The community spirit is seen in the DelhiFoodWalks that allow anyone to register for the walks that take them through various areas and by-lanes where they can relish the local flavours with other people who take the tour for the love of food. From Iftar walks and Beat-the-summer-heat walks to Breakfast walks, just by being a part of a larger group, you can drown out your loneliness and enjoy food while warming up to anecdotes and jokes.

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