Great in '08: Dining

Communing with your food

A spate of communal tables brought diners closer together in 2008—and revealed a public divided on the merits of togetherness, be it physical or metaphorical. Wherever you fall on the debate, you’d best scoot over and make room, because it looks like most of the spots that embraced the trend are here to stay. Based on seating arrangements alone, our vote for the best goes to Bucktown bistro Duchamp(pictured), with its sleek, modern tables and spaced-out chairs that leave us with plenty of breathing room.