Table For One

A mandatory travel that is a part of the grant I work on has brought me to Rockville, MD for most of this week. It’s the first time I’ve done an out of state travel for work and will be the longest I’ve been away from Christine and the kids. In fact, it’ll be the longest Christine and I have been away from one another in the almost twenty years of being together. I mention that because I’m so used to seeing her looking back at me from the other side of the table when we go out to eat. Sure, I’ve eaten in food courts or at a fast food or fast casual restaurant by myself. However, I can only remember one other time that I was at a full-service restaurant alone and I sat at the counter of a small diner.

That brings me to tonight and my quest to find some dinner. Having enjoyed tacos last night while out with my brother, I almost went back to Taco Bamba because they were so good and not far from the hotel. It was an odd day at our conference today that ended with many going home or back to their hotels early, otherwise I might have tried organizing dinner with a group of fellow primary care office directors. Instead, I wandered around a bit aimlessly through a couple shopping plazas that have no less than a dozen dining options of all types.

I ended up at Matchbox, a small chain that serves wood fired pizza and typical American fare. Upon walking in I asked for a table for one. The hostess did the expected thing and asked if I wanted to sit at the bar. I half considered it for a second but said I would prefer a table. I was sat at a two top right in the middle of the ground level dining room. There is an elevated mezzanine that has seating that looks over the rest of the restaurant. So, it was kind of odd to be sitting there by myself with tables literally all around me. I had a moment of panic after I ordered my drink which caused me to seriously consider asking to sit at the bar. I can’t remember the last time I felt so uncomfortable.

I decided to embrace the discomfort and just enjoy my own company. When a bowl of silky cream of crab soup arrived at my table, I began to feel at ease. Or to quote Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, “relief washes over me in an awesome wave.” The soup was quite good and was a nice starter for the Pig + Pineapple pizza I ordered. Pineapple glaze, smoked ham, bacon, zesty sauce, red onion, and mozzarella were a sweet and salty mix that hit the spot. I think ordering foods I really enjoy certainly helped distract me from how odd it felt not having someone sitting across from me.

As enjoyable as the meal was, I don’t know how often I’ll want to do this in the future. I do think taking the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone was good, but part of enjoying food, for me, is the company.