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Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Do You Dine At the Bar?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Photo: Renee’ Hannans Henry/AJC
Eating at the bar at Shaun’s in Inman Park
“The trouble with the world is that everybody in it is three drinks behind.” — Humphrey Bogart
A recent email from reader Patti Crenshaw of Atlanta poses a perfect question about a growing segment of the hospitlaity industry: Bar eaters. No, they don’t eat the bar — they eat AT it. Here’s what Ms. Crenshaw asked me:
“Ms Ford -
My friends and I were at Sotto Sotto last Saturday and while I can sometimes enjoy eating at a restaurant’s bar, there was absolutely nowhere to sit or stand or order a drink because every space was taken with diners. I am just wondering where it is one drinks anymore since everyone at the bar is eating. I know that I wouldn’t want someone’s drinks being ordered and delivered over my shoulder while I am trying to enjoy dinner and if I am drinking I would really like a place to sit or at least place my cocktail while I wait for a table.
There are times that I am dining alone or in a bit of a rush the bar area can be great for that - usually the staff or the person next to you will talk to you and it is not quite as glaringly obvious as eating at a table by oneself. However, I try to pick places with a large bar area on quiet nights so that everyone can enjoy their bar experience. It just seems more and more common for people to dine at the bar because the wait is long or they didn’t make a reservation and those who want to use the bar for its designated purpose are out of luck.
I am curious as to your thoughts on this matter - is a designated eating area at the bar the answer? My favorite restaurant in St. Simons has tables that are first come, first serve at all times for this purpose - I wonder if more places could exercise that option? I guess I just want it all - a bar for drinking and for the occasional meal if it doesn’t intrude on someone else’s restaurant experience. Is that too much to ask?
Patti Crenshaw”
I like Patti’s idea of having a designated area for folks eating without a reservation, but a lot of restaurants just don’t have the space for that sort of thing.
And color me guilty: I love to eat at the bar, especially if it’s just me or me plus one.
What’s your take? Should the bar just be for drinks, should there be some section of the bar just for drinks, or is this just another fight that has no winner?
Looking for great bar perches? Check out Bob Townsend’s picks from last fall’s access atlanta.
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