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1. The re-jiggered grilled octopus at Nico Heirloom Kitchen. Chef Gio Osso’s signature dish gets a makeover. Now dressed with poblano, garbanzos and chorizo. 2. Hitting Vincent’s on Camelback during Arizona Restaurant Week (Sept. 20-29). As an aperitif to Chef Vincent Guerithault’s star-studded 50th anniversary roast in October. 3. The debut of Phoenix Unknown: World Food and Music Night Market at The Van Buren on Friday, Sept. 13. Global music and bites to match. statesidepresents.com...

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Even though school has already started and the temps aren’t dropping anytime soon, Labor Day marks the official "end" of summer. Celebrate the last three-day weekend of summer with some dining deals at local eateries!

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 You’re dining solo. Divorced, widowed, alone on a business trip, or otherwise single for the night. If you sit at a bar, your options are:

  • Take a chance talking to the people on either side of you (Risky!)
  • Chat-up the bartender in-between shaking and stirring
  • Stare at the TV and the rows of bottles.

 

But now you DO have another option -- several in fact! I discovered the communal table concept when my boyfriend was stranded in Chicago on my birthday. New to town, I didn’t want to dine alone. After ditching an angry stranger at the bar, I moved over to the only open seat at Houston’s communal table. Not only did my table gang toast me over martinis, they sang happy birthday. One fellow diner even picked up the tab for everyone!

Here are just a handful of the communal tables in and around Phoenix. I can’t guarantee you’ll get a free meal, but you may make some great new social and business connections.

See my communal dining etiquette tips at the end of the list, too!