The empty chair has my thoughts

I recently had the joy of spending a week in the Chianti region of Italy on a scholarship from Women Chefs and Restauranteurs; it was my first real vacation in close to 2 years.  The food was amazing, the cooking classes I took were so much fun and my pictures can't do the landscape justice.  Other than the culinary aspects of my adventure, what made the journey exciting was being completely on my own in a beautiful country.  It was me, directionally challenged me, and the little Fiat that could an hour from Florence.

Prior to the trip, I was pretty shy, the type of person who prefered the drive thru to sitting by herself in a restaurant if I was out and about and in need of food.  The only issue?  Italy doesn't exactly support the grab and go meal in many cases and I was getting hungry prior to my first class.  So what's a self respecting gal on a culinary adventure to do?  Thankfully, my passion for amazing food trumped my nerves of sitting alone and I shyly walked into the first restaurant that caught my eye.

Despite my trying to greet the host in Italian, he responded in English, so much for trying to get away with passing for a local.  When I asked for a table for "just me," he smiled and jokingly admonished me for the word "just."  I had nothing to be ashamed of; I might have been a single person, but I was still a polite and paying guest. 

Despite a few odd looks from the other diners, my lunch was a wonderful experience.  The service was attentive and my glass of chianti was a perfect compliment to my ricotta and spinach ravioli with truffle cream sauce.  To think I could have missed out on such a tasty dish simply because I was nervous about eating by myself!

I repeated the experience later in the week at other restaurants in the area.  I actually looked forward to treating myself by myself.  At an outdoor cafe, I lingered over my vegetarian lasagne and watched a street performer for as long as I wanted.  No one to rush me!  Interestingly enough, I was able to observe some of the other diners. Some of them looked at my single eater status and probably thought I was crazy; others looked at their companions and most likely thought they were crazy. 

My last night there, I did three courses at one of the nicer outdoor restaurants in Radda, the small town where I was renting a room.  My meal, including wine and coffee, took almost two hours and cost me a little less than a week's paycheck.  The food was delicious and so was the company.

So, dear readers, here is my challenge.  Go out and eat a multi course meal by yourself in a restaurant with real silverware, respectable service, and food you have been itching to try.  You have nothing to feel ashamed of and no reason to rush.  Order the food you want and tip nicely if the service warrents it.  Indulge in a good glass of your favorite drink and your own company.  After all, if you can't enjoy it, how can anyone else?