Le Jardin du Roi
95 King St, Chappaqua (914) 238-1368
Tiny tables, small portions, and that sitting-in-your-living-room vibe make cafés and bistros almost beg for solitary diners. There are tons around the county, but Le Jardin du Roi is ideal. Here, diner meets Parisian-chic and you can order everything from omelets to coq au vin-it's open from 8 am to midnight, seven days a week.
Iron Tomato
57 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains (914) 328-9400
You grocery shop alone, right? So why not combine your tedious weekly errand with a meal. Roam the gourmet aisles of Iron Tomato (take note of the fresh mozzarella), then order a yummy sandwich or salad and have a seat in its quaint café space.
Tip: Don't show up empty-handed. Bring a book, puzzle, or even that scarf you've been knitting for years. You'll be amazed how much you get done when you're not forced to converse.
Q Restaurant & Bar
112 Main St, Port Chester (914) 933-7427 487 Main St, Mount Kisco (914) 241-7427
Let's face it: eating barbecue while talking just doesn't work. That alone makes this finger-lickin' fare perfect for singles. Q's cafeteria-throwback keeps the dining experience light and fun. Pull up a seat at one of the longer community tables while you nosh on ribs and chicken-you never know who might saddle up beside you.
Sweet Grass Grill
24 Main St, Tarrytown (914) 631-0000
New to my repertoire, Sweet Grass Grill is the ultimate in serene, garden dining. If the moss-colored walls and outdoor décor don't drift you to a lush, green setting, the seasonal farm-fresh menu will. What's more: the friendly waitstaff always makes you feel right at home.
Tip: Nervous about large crowds? Dine during "off" times-an early lunch at 11:30 or a light dinner around 4.
Scarsdale Metro Restaurant
878 Scarsdale Ave, Scarsdale (914) 713-0309
With dozens of Westchester diners to choose from, why pick the Metro? Easy. Aside from the fantastic food, the bustling, yet homey, vibe creates a Cheers-like atmosphere, so you'll never really be alone. Leave the book at home-you can easily spend an hour perusing the enormous Greek-inspired menu.
Stan'z
26 Chatsworth Ave, Larchmont (914) 833-9760
If mornings aren't your thing, then breakfast at Stan'z is for you. There's no better way to start off your weekend than by quietly enjoying a piping-hot cup of coffee, the paper, and some of Stan'z famously fluffy eggs. In particular, Saturday mornings are so laid-back, you could probably show up in your pajamas and no one would say a word, which, after all, is precisely the point.
THE WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE DEC. 2009
