Apero (Georgetown)

For better or for worse, it was my experience at Apero that catalyzed DiningSoloDC.com (see How It Began for the full story). Not because it was a dining experience that was particularly worse than any other, but possibly because this visit just so happened to hit the exact number of times I was saddened to be eating alone before I would do anything about it.

Truthfully, I love Apero. It’s my neighborhood restaurant, has incredible food and a wonderful and kind staff. My solo experience here caught me off guard, and I share it as my first restaurant to acknowledge that even great spots can forget the solo diners — treating us like a liability or something to be siphoned into a holding pen. I hope that sharing this rating is useful and lands as an opportunity for awareness and intentional change.

Overall, Apero has some work to do. While understanding that it’s a small space, being given the table I wanted and being included with other diners would have made my night. As a solo diner, I understand that my bill will be less than tables with 2 or more, but two points are noteworthy here:

1) While I stand at 5’2”, 105 pounds, I can eat more than one would think. I typically get a drink, appetizer, entree and dessert, taking home what I don’t finish.

2) I would have spent anywhere from $20-$60 more if I had been treated like 2+ tables, but my experience was cut short by the server bringing my check before I was done ordering. Given how sad I was at the time, I would’ve opted out of a second drink or dessert anyway.

I have hope for Apero as a solo spot, and will return for another try in the future — but not before checking out many other places in this beautiful city first. I also have deep gratitude for this experience, as it catalyzed this project, which will hopefully inspire solo diners (and awareness of them!) in DC and beyond :)