Hear me out: dining alone might be the ultimate form of self-love.
Food writer Amanda Hesser said it best, “you should be kind enough to lavish your appetite with good food, without the interruptions of company.”
And let’s face it, not everyone has a plus-one or even an available friend they can enjoy a night out with when the mood strikes. While I’m not advocating for dining solo on a special evening like Valentine’s Day (I’m not that bold!), I would argue that sometimes you should just treat yourself to a beautiful meal with just the company of you, the ambiance of the room and perhaps a book.
Not every restaurant will work. Some are too bright, too open or too loud. You want a space where you can tuck into a corner or join others at a bar (if you don’t want complete solitude). Perhaps somewhere you have a view of the chef doing his or her work or can people watch.
For me, Beck’s is a perfect spot. There are some smaller tables where you can hide yourself, or you can join the crowd at the oyster bar to watch the shuckers deftly lay out platters upon platters of raw oysters on ice.
Recently, I planned the perfect meal at Beck’s — a full dozen oysters, all to myself, plus a light salad. Beck’s is only open three nights a week, and reservations at least a week or more in advance are a must — especially if you want a booth. Or, take a chance and call to see if there’s room at their oyster bar.
On this Saturday, I was lucky. A call the day ahead got me an oyster bar seat, even though Open Table said the restaurant was completely full. As my server passed me a menu and asked for my drink order, I happened to mention I was starving, and she nicely offered to go ahead and bring me a basket of bread. I nibbled a bit as I looked over the menu, and the long list of oyster options chalked up on a board. The bread was soft and nutty, lovely with the butter.
For my meal, I asked if the shuckers could just put together a mix of oysters of various brines for me, their choice. That, plus the classic Greenjacket Salad, felt perfect.
The salad arrived first, a tangle of mixed greens, sharp Vidalia onions, small ripe tomatoes and pita crisps. It was slightly bitter, herby and a little oily; a complex mix of texture and flavors complemented by the fresh sweet tomatoes and delicately flavored pita.
It felt like a celebration as my platter of oysters arrived, nestled in ice with all the necessary accoutrements: the tiny fork, the containers of cocktail sauce, grated horseradish, Beck’s version of a mignonette, and a basket of hot sauce and crackers.
The server pointed out the oyster options I’d been served, clockwise. First were the St. Anne’s, which had a hit of brine. Next were the Mamma Mia, which I found a bit sweeter, even a little fruity. And finally, my favorite of the night — the plump Cupid’s Choice — generous fat oysters from Prince Edward Island in Canada.
My usual is to serve myself an oyster on a saltine with a dollop of cocktail sauce, then to eat it all in one bit. The cocktail sauce was heavy on the horseradish, which I like, and a few times I played with the heat by adding more grated horseradish on top. I liked the mignonette well enough; although it alone with its mouth-puckering flavor isn’t my personal favorite, but lemon and horseradish is a fun combination, like drinking a hot lemonade.
It ended up being a lovely evening, with some of my favorite company.
Danielle Wong Moores is a local freelance writer who’ll never turn down a shrimp cocktail, sushi or cheese dip. Her greatest food influences are her mom and writers MFK Fisher and Amanda Hesser. Her Dine and Dish column runs the second and fourth Fridays in The Augusta Press.
A Dish for One or Two
Beck’s
2111 Kings Way
Becksaugusta.com
My choice: A dozen oysters (chef’s choice) and a light salad
Craft and Vine
1204B Broad St.
Craftandvine.com
My choice: Valentine’s Masquerade menu, Feb. 8 to 18 (don’t forget your ornate mask!)
Meimei’s Dim Sum House
251 Meridian Dr., Grovetown
Meimeisdimsumhouse.com
My choice: Feed yourself (or each other) dumplings and egg tarts
DiVino Ristorante Italiano
465 Railroad Ave., North Augusta
Divinonorthaugusta.com
My choice: Ask for their fun blue pasta topped with shrimp or the sexy squid ink spaghetti with clams
The Willcox Restaurant
100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken
Thewillcox.com
My choice: Ask for a seat on a sofa in their lobby. If you’re going all out, why not treat yourself to caviar?
Edgar’s Bakehouse
3179 Washington Rd.
Edgarsbakehouse.com
My choice: The 4-inch vanilla and cherry cake for one (or two) or heart-shaped raspberry linzer cookie (available through Feb. 15)
