We go out for dinner not just to eat but to have a pleasant evening. There is a world of difference between a restaurant sparsely populated and one which is buzzing with the background noise of conversations and the movement of both staff and customers around the room. That said, if a place takes reservations (as most do), then we make a reservation and turn up at the appointed time. But we have had some dismal evenings when we’ve been the only people in there (or nearly only).
It’s maybe similar to watching a comedy programme on TV. Do people laugh as much if they’re watching it on their own, as when they watch with others? Dining out is not a solitary event - if we want solitary, then we can get that at home.
