Valentine's Day is coming, which pretty much sucks for everyone. If you've got a special someone, you're guilted into going out and having your wallet gutted by a triple-digit, prix fixe, mediocre meal. Have fun with that. And if you're not coupled up, you get to spend the evening alone while people look at you and say condescending things inside their heads about your sad, single state. Get more of Dallas' best with our Best Of app, available for the Droid and the iPhone.
Fight back. Being single rocks, and it may offer the best way to navigate the worst day of the year to eat out (yes, it's worse than New Year's Eve). Since everything is booked, pony up to the bar (it's way easier to find a seat when you're alone) and treat yourself to a decadent meal. Here are five of my favorite Dallas bars at which to eat alone.
Eno's (pictured above) Just look at this thing. Eno's Sundae Sack is built for misanthropic dining. And if you're hung up on being single you can comfort yourself with calories as you watch your tears of loneliness mix with melted ice cream and fudge.
Local The bar at Local may be one the nicest places in Dallas to dine. The staff here knows their food, knows their wine pairings, and they know how to take care of their guests. Sit at this bar alone on Valentine's Day and you won't feel alone for long.
Mesa Remember little Mesa in Oak Cliff? It was my very first review after landing in Dallas, and I conducted most of my eating alone at their bar. Over two visits I made friends with half the staff, and a regular patron invited me to his birthday party. Doesn't get any better than that.
Bolsa Bolsa's bar is built for flirting. Its shape will let you make eyes with people sitting on the opposite side, and if you don't meet anyone you can drink away your sorrow with a solid Old Fashioned.
Yutaka Yeah, I just got done gushing about this one, but I'm not finished yet. If Yutaka was a person I'd commit. Perched at the bar here, you can watch sushi chefs work their magic with some Dallas' freshest fish. And don't worry about restrictions here. Yutaka is completely ignoring the holiday. No reservations, no special menus, just you and all the uni you can shake a chopstick at.
