Party of one: Restaurants cater to growing number of solo diners

Parisa Imanirad, a scientist and cancer researcher, eats lunch alone at Spruce, an upscale restaurant in San Francisco, on Aug. 22, 2024.

Parisa Imanirad, a scientist and cancer researcher from San Francisco, is married and has a wide circle of friends. But once or twice a week, she goes to a restaurant by herself.