April 14, 2012
I’m proud of the fact that I’m very comfortable dining alone in any restaurant. Whether a casual outdoor lunch, a snazzy wine bar or a fancy “black or white napkin” kind of place, I am very ok with dining alone. Sure, I’d rather have my husband sitting across the table from me, but he’s not with me on the majority of my business trips. While colleagues are with me on some of my trips, I’m a solo diner the majority of the time, and I am quite content with this.
What I’m not content with . . . and downright ticked with . . . is hearing these two words as I enter a restaurant: “Just one?”
These two little words, asked so innocently, really get my goat.
I’ve often wanted to respond to “Just one?” with:
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Yes, put me in the pity section please.
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No, a table for 3, please. Me, my book and I.
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I have my imaginary friend with me – you don’t see him?
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Yes, I couldn’t decide which husband to bring along so I brought neither.
I know the question isn’t meant to offend, but dining solo is one of the most uncomfortable situations for many women. These words just make it more uncomfortable. I walk away feeling that the host thinks I have no friends, or no special person in my life . . . that I’m a loser who can’t find anyone to dine with. I want to defend myself, to say that I’m proud to be so comfortable in my own skin that I don’t need a companion to complete me, that I do know how to order a great glass of wine all by myself, but it’s not worth it. They wouldn’t understand anyway, since they meant no harm in their little question.
How about we turn this little question into something more empowering (and create more raving fans for a restaurant):
“A table in the successful women section?”
“A table where you 
can see and be seen?” or
“Table for one . . . let me take you to our preferred seating.”
Here’s a toast – to the power of one!
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To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Food and Drink, Random Thoughts |
April 28, 2011
Eating healthy and Travel – Do they go together? They sure can! Take a look at these easy to pack foods that give you healthy options for snacking in-flight, morning breakfast and hunger attacks.
And if you think a ultra-heavy suitcase is needed to pack all of this, think again! Take a peek into my actual packed luggage here.
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Food and Drink, Health |
March 4, 2011
I eat in restaurants a lot. Fifty weeks of travel last year alone with this year following the same pattern. So that’s a lot of restaurant meals.
Many of these restaurant meals are at hotels. Some hotels I stay at often, while others are for a one-time event.
One of the hotels I’ve been frequenting a lot lately is the Hilton Garden Inn in Aberdeen, Scotland. About seven stays of two weeks each – more than enough time to try every item on their Granite City Restaurant’s menu, at least several times each. And enough time to get really bored with looking at the same foods night after night.
But I didn’t’ get bored – not at all. In fact, I was sad when I had my last dinner at the HGI restaurant.
How could I have gotten so attached to one hotel restaurant? Easy. It was Chef Brian and his team.
Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Food and Drink, Health, Hotel Living |
August 20, 2010
Most traveling women complain about gaining weight when traveling, challenges of finding healthy food, and finding the time to exercise with a busy schedule. To see if it is possible to find healthy food choices in restaurants, airports and hotels, I am keeping a healthy eating journal at http://www.smartwomentravelers.com/category/health-fitness-on-the-road/healthy-eating-journal.
Post a comment with your healthy eating suggestions. I’d really like to hear where to find restaurants that serve organic foods.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Food and Drink, Health |
November 25, 2009
I am not usually excited about airport restaurants, but there is a new restaurant in the Houston airport that definitely has been getting my business. Le Grand Comptoir Wine and Food Bar is in Houston’s Intercontinental (IAH) airport in Continental’s Terminal C. It opened several
months ago and it has become my go-to restaurant for dinner before my typical Thursday evening flight back to Orlando. 
Not only does Le Grand Comptoir have a fabulous menu of wines and beers, but their food offers healthy choices that I love. I always order their Provencale Salad, which loads on Greek olives, cucumbers, green beans and tomatoes onto fresh greens, topped with a broiled chicken breast. If I am running late to my flight, the restaurant prepares this salad to go within about 10 minutes and I eat it while in-flight, to the envy of my seatmates. Otherwise, I prefer to sit down and enjoy my salad, while either watching one of their televisions, working on my laptop (yes, they have outlets along the wall!), or just people-watching. In the evenings, Le Grand Comptoir is packed. But wait for a few minutes and a table usually opens up, or a stool at their bar.
It’s a fun place with great atmosphere, food and wine… so check it out the next time you’re in Terminal C at IAH.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Food and Drink |
