Comments on: Communal Dining

By: grubtrotters

grubtrotters — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:13:45 +0000

Yes, my husband, Victor, is Chinese American. And I love the round table, lazy Susan. That’s family-style dining, and I love it. I make a distinction between that and communal tables that encourage you sit sit and dine with strangers.

By: SinoSoul

SinoSoul — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:35:13 +0000

many ethnic cuisines do not even understand the concept of “entrees”. while Gjelina’s outdoor seating bugs the bejesus out of me, Avec in Chicago, queen of the communal dining concept, remains one of my favorites.

And let us not forget every Chinese restaurant has lazy susan’s so…

By: grubtrotters

grubtrotters — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:55:10 +0000

I agree, completely, jenn.

By: jenn

jenn — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:28:43 +0000

I don’t mind the whole communal dining. I think it bring togetherness in some way. I’ve met some interesting people in that type of eating environment. They’re great for inspiration on story Ideas, too. =)

btw… I love Joan’s on Third!!

By: grubtrotters

grubtrotters — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:08:22 +0000

You mean The Bazaar, Simply Heaven, or communal dining? Both are amazing experiences.

By: simplyheaven

simplyheaven — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:30:55 +0000

Amazing experience!!

By: Jackie

Jackie — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:11:22 +0000

The Capitol Ale House (Alehouse?) is in downtown Fred’brg. It’s an offshoot of a place with the same name in Richmond. It’s becoming quite popular here, in part because it’s the only place you can get a table and a bit of food after 10:00pm, and also for it’s extensive beer menu. We also like Sunday brunch there with interesting menu choices such as crabmeat eggs Benedict and a wonderful salmon plate as well as Belgian waffles to die for.

By: grubtrotters

grubtrotters — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:36:08 +0000

Absolutely. What’s the name of the place? Is it in downtown Fredericksburg?

By: Jackie

Jackie — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:21:26 +0000

Is there room for a “maybe” vote? If we’re dining with another couple then usually we want to catch up with each other and have our own conversation. Same with family gatherings. But certainly if it’s just my husband and myself, it’s fun occasionally to sit at a communal table and chat with others. Here in Virginia communal dining is not the norm, but there is a new Ale House downtown with a couple of communal tables and a huge bar as well as separate tables. We’ll see how if it catches on. Of course, the whole experience is certainly enhanced by liquid conversation lubricants.