I was treated fairly. There are lots of single woman/women on business, women who merely are hungry...

Ciao Monica,

I'm Belgian but live in Milan.

It often happens that I go have lunch alone, and I've never been sent away, being a woman in Italy

For diners however, it's better to book a table before, that's really necessary in Italy since restaurants are always full, whether we are a Monday or a Saturday. Maybe they will turn you down because they are sure they will be able to fill a table for 2 with 4 people.

I'm sorry about your experience, Italians are in my opinion very friendly and helpful.

good luck in paris

Monica,
I have never seen a solo diner turned away in Paris. I'm sure you will have no problems. I have a friend who travels to Paris alone and dines alone often, and she has never mentioned being turned away either.

Sandy

If you decide to make a reservation, make it for one person. Making a reservation for two then showing up alone isn't going to win you friends at the restaurant.

Were those three restaurants visibly full? Were there empty tables, but they would not seat you?

Hi M,

>was my experience that one night in Bologna a rare occurrence?<

I think so.

It is always a good idea to make reservations, especially at smaller places.

A restaurant might look empty when ou arrive at 8:00 PM, but have all of its tables reserved for 8:30- 9:00.

I spent 11 days in Paris by myself in May. Had lunches and dinners all over, warm welcome, terrific service. There were many other single diners everywhere as well. This was the first trip I made NO reservations and I had no problems getting tables at my places of choice.

So, where do hookers eat, alone or in groups, in Paris?

LOL! I just started reading through these comments and have to respond first to PrincessOfPenguins. No, I don’t think I was turned away because they thought I was a prostitute! Here’s an excerpt from my journal http://www.luvtotravel.homestead.com/ItalyJrnl06.html f what happened:

My evening started out terrible. I headed out from my hotel about 7:30pm. I went to the first restaurant, which is near my hotel, Trattoria Serghei. I asked the owner if I could reserve a table for about 8pm or so and he told me a private party took up the whole restaurant for the evening. Fine, so I told him I’d like to make reservations for Wednesday at 8pm. The firmly man said, "No, 7:30pm!" I said that I would really prefer 8pm and he replied stating if I wanted 8pm reservations I could sit at “this” table, pointing to a tiny table at the entrance of the trattoria, away from the main dining room. No thanks! I said to myself. I agreed to 7:30pm but was already thinking I would cancel the reservations later.

I moved onto the next restaurant, La Montanara, where five tables outside were empty. Perfect,or so I thought. A waiter came outside and I asked to sit at one of the outdoor tables. The waiter looked at them and stated they were booked. Now, it was only 7:45pm and all the restaurants are pretty much empty at this time. Only one table had a reserved sign on it, so I questioned him about the remaining empty tables. He went inside and after a few moments, came back out and said they were booked. I walked away. Yes, I could have sat inside the restaurant, but I knew he lied to me, so I felt he didn’t deserve my business. Plus, I really wanted to dine outdoors.

At the third restaurant, although completely empty, the lone waiter welcomed me. He seated me and handed me a large menu. I read through the menu and started to drool over the "Tortellini with gorgonzola” as well as the “Eggplant Parmesan." The waiter came by to take my order, so I asked for the tortellini with gorgonzola. "We have no tortellini tonight” What!? This is Bologna! Everyone has tortellini! Everyone in Bologna makes tortellini! Fresh-made tortellini! Made right here in Bologna! Was he crazy? Did he think I was stupid to believe him? I questioned him again. No, no tortellini. I ordered a different pasta dish, although my heart wasn’t set on it. I then asked for the eggplant Parmesan and again he said, “No, we don't have it." Flabbergasted and by this time very ticked off, I slammed the menu closed (with great affect thanks to the hardcover to the menu), got up and walked out. He mumbled something to me in Italian and I just said, "Strike three."

I walked over to Il Portico where I had the delicious pizza for lunch and was greeted with a warm smile. Although the place was pretty crowded, he found a table for me and sat me immediately. I had a wonderful dinner of, yes! Tortellini with Gorgonzola and walnuts followed by a breaded cutlet, Milanese style. With 1/2 liter of wine (and of course the coperto, bottled water, and their service charge), my meal came to only 22 Euros, a very good price for Bologna. I told my waiter that I might return on Wednesday. While dining, I chatted with a fellow from London who was in town on Business as a translator. He was enjoying lobster for dinner.

So, that’s what happened to me. Fortunately it was the only night of my 2 week trip, but it was a very frustrating evening.

To respond to the remaining comments, these three places were empty with the exception of one couple in one restaurant and two in the last one. I should state that I was turned away from 2 places since the first was booked for a private party. Still, very frustrating.

Girspytravel, that’s a great idea. Won’t help me, but hopefully will help future solo travelers.

On my trips, I do make most dinner reservations. I had arrived in Bologna that day and figured since I was heading to dinner early I wouldn’t have a problem. I do plan to make all my dinner reservations for Paris…just to play it safe.

unaS, I had that same experience with some friends – can’t remember where, but we were told we could have dinner if we were out by a certain time. It was fine for us and worked out for everyone.

Eric_S, yes, it’s possible they didn’t want to waste the table, but I’m not 100% on that. It was a Monday night, very early for Italian dining standards, and I don’t think they would have thought I would have kept the table for the whole evening. Who knows.

Thanks wonderful for your dining suggestions. Yes, I’ve been collecting restaurant suggestions from fellow fodorites and another travel forum.

Ciao Stiene, yes, Italians are very friendly – just had a bad experience that one night.

Welcome back Sandy! I’m looking forward to seeing you soon to hear all about your trip!

Thanks everyone for the positive comments about Paris. Will definitely report back when I return!

Monica

Monica - Sorry to hear about your problems in Bologna. I ate at Il Portico twice while I was there last month. Great food and service. And like you said, great prices.

I also had no problem while I was in Paris. Although on my last night at Chartier, I was originally given a table to myself but then they sat a local couple with me and a fellow American. I didn't mind, the four of us had a great time getting to know each other and the local couple paid for my dinner! And they say the French are rude. BS!!

Have a great time in Paris.

Tom

Hi Tom,

Glad you had a great time with your table mates. I certainly wouldn't mind having others sit at my table. I usually engage in conversation with the people next to my table.


I'm sure I'll have a wonderful time in Paris!

Monica

I have never had a problem in Paris - I am sorry you had problems elsewhere.

Monica, I was alone 15 days in Paris. It was one of the best trips. I ate alone but never seemed to be alone, maybe by my accidental choices. YOU WILL have a wonderful time.

Hi Monica! Happy Thanksgiving!

You know me--I'm the constant solo traveler. Never had a problem in Paris, not even in the busy Le Relais de Entrecote. Actually, the staff was quite kind to me when they saw I was dining alone....same at Le Violon d'Ingres. The only time I was turned away in Paris was when a restaurant was fully booked and they couldn't spare any outside tables due to the heavy rain.

Another option is for me to take some time off and join you in Paris!!! I gotta do my "do over," no?

Aloha Melissa!

Yes, join me! I see you need a trip to Paris badly.

Monica

Monica:

Here are some of the places I enjoyed in May:

Le P'Tit Troquet (magnificent prix fixe 3 course)

Relais Odeon (awesome warm goat cheese salade, terrific steak tartare a second visit, presented with all the "fixings" so you can mix it up to your preferences perfectly yourself)

Le Reminet (magnificent Sunday lunch)

Crepes on rue Cler - absolutely awesome! (several times)

Cafe Roussillon (wonderful food, cheap, hopping bar scene, terrific music)

Vagenende (I just love this place, extensive menu, moderate prices, friendly service, gorgeous interior)

Le Grande Cafe (gorgeous inside, fabulous prix fixe menus, extensive a la carte menu, friendly service)

Le Recrutement (magnificent cafe in the 7th, on the cover a a novel I can't find at the moment, huge fabulous salads with awesome dressings, etc.)

Le Vaudeville (gorgeous, extensive menu, moderate prices)

Le Grand Colbert (ditto above)

Chez Flottes (extensive menu, low prices, friendly service, beautiful interior - nearly in heaven with the perfectly roasted chicken and mashed potatoes...)

Josephine/Chez Dumonet (quintessential "vintage" restaurant - just go there!)

Le Fregate (window and terrace tables have awesome views across the Seine to the Louvre, good food, very low prices, all the French standards and comfort food, friendly service)

Au General de Lafayette ("comfortable", extensive menu, low prices, friendly service) This is a "gathering place" late afternoon, met lots of nice folks.

Au Petit Riche (wonderful food, moderate prices, friendly service, vintage rooms - I would wish this moment for another order of the white asparagus with hollandaise or the smoked haddock with Bernaise...)

Au Bon Accueil (haute cuisine at moderate prices - awesome food!)

Montparnasse 1900 (magnificent endive/apples/walnut/roquefort salad)

bkm

I had a wonderful solo dining experience at Tante Marguerite in the Left Bank.

I haven't been to Italy but I'm stupefied you were turned away. I usually travel alone & this has never happened to me.

When I was much younger & spending a weekend at the Plaza in NYC I went to tea & told the maitre'd "Just one." He thundered, "NEVER say just one. You are MOST important as a customer. Please follow me." So I never say, "Just one" any more.

Monica,

I'm a man and have eaten alone at hundreds of restaurants in Italy and across Europe. I was never turned away but I have seen others, men, turned away in front of me.

More than once there were "reserved" cards on all the tables but the waiter sat me anyway. Most of the other "reserved" tables remained empty during my dinner. It is a ploy to keep out the riffraff without having to bother lying to them.

I suspect that the reason for your problem is your attire. If you were dressed as in the picture on your web site at http://tinyurl.com/ymew7s you will have a problem getting into many nice restaurants in Paris and elsewhere. You look like a frumpy soccer mom. Your shirt is hanging out. The killer is that pair of "shoes." They look like Reebok walkers, a close relative to "marshmellow" shoes. It appears that you don't like make-up or having your hair done. To an average maitre d' in Europe you look like a charwoman.

This one looks much better, http://tinyurl.com/wtzj6. I see black slacks, a nice blouse, and some gold dangling about. You are set for Paris in this outfit.

I hope you take my comments constructively as I intend them. I do not mean to be hurtful but only to point out possible causes for your restaurant problem in Italy. Dressing up when you go out to eat and when you make reservations can make a big difference. If you dress the same in Paris you stand a good chance of being refused in many good restaurants. I'm not talking about Michelin starred places, but just your average restaurant. I'm sure you can eat in a Rick Steves recommended place, but any restaurant that Parisians would frequent might give you a grim face at the door.

Being as how Fodors has a sizeable community of jeans or nothing people I'm sure you are going to hear the other end of this rope speaking up soon. The debate over what to wear in Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, etc. is a daily event here.

Your web site is well constructed and well written. I usually don't like personal travel logs but yours is very informative. I like your photos. They are making me hungry. I am loking forward to your report on Paris.

Hi monica,

Hopscotch has hit the nail on the head.

You shouldn't have been carrying that bag.