At the bar

I love eating at bars or counters. You get the fastest service, the most entertaining seat, and the food is usually hotter / tastier / quicker. You also can always count on a good show via the kitchen production, will probably hear fabulous stories from the bar tender or kitchen manager, and will meet incredible people. A tip: when you're at an establishment for the first time, always order what the bar tender usually orders. The kitchen staff will probably think its for him, and make it beyond expectation.