When San Franciscan Terri McKenna and her single friends head to Pres a Vi in the Presidio, they usually sit at the communal table. There’s almost always a cluster of men sitting there, too. And by the end of the night the two groups are often sharing more than just food and wine.
From trendy neighborhood restaurants in San Francisco to casual breakfast spots in the East Bay, communal tables are cropping up everywhere. Designers are putting the big family-style tables into places such as Salt House in San Francisco, West County Grill in Sebastopol and A Cote in Oakland.
Experts say that in these isolated times, people yearn to break bread with neighbors. Some are looking to make friends — and even long-term relationships — while others just want to feel a sense of community.