Photo Credit: Lisa Loeb
Lisa Loeb is candid about her search for love on the E! reality series "#1 Single."

"It's hard to find real food at airports," Loeb says, apologizing for the interruption as she places her lunch order. The singer, who's best known for her hit single "Stay (I Missed You)" from the "Reality Bites" soundtrack, is on the road promoting her greatest-hits album, "The Very Best of Lisa Loeb." She stops at Union County Arts Center in Rahway tonight.

But its Loeb's recent foray into reality television — via "#1 Single" on E! and the Style Network — that's gotten her one step closer to figuring out what she wants and how she's going to get it. Which is odd, considering how unpalatable she originally found the idea of putting her life on public display.

"At first, I thought that was a terrible idea," Loeb, 38, says quickly after a thoughtful pause. "But then I realized while I was on the road I was constantly sharing my private life with everybody. People are always asking me about it."

The eight episodes of "#1 Single" feature Loeb looking for love in New York City, as well as exploring her desire to be a mother, with or without a partner.

"It's tough, because there's also a lot more pressure in my head because I really want kids," Loeb says candidly, adding that she's looking for a man who wants a family.

Loeb also says it's important to "put your cards on the table" early in a relationship, even if it seems awkward. She employs a similar tack when it comes to her career, too.

"I just speak up for myself," she says. "Every once in a while, I find that people think that I'm a little bossy, but I'm just in charge ... If they see that as being bossy, then that's too bad."

No doubt fans are wondering what her visit to the sperm bank, which was documented on the show, was really like.

"It was actually exciting," she replies before being sidetracked by her quest for a decent burger.

"How can they make such bad food?" Loeb wonders aloud, describing the unappealing look and smell of her fare in frightening detail. "Chili's used to be such a great restaurant."

But what about the sperm depository? If she doesn't meet the right person, would she consider it?

"It's a real possibility," she acknowledges.

"My timetable (to have a baby) was by the time I was 35," Loeb says with a laugh. "So I've passed that timetable ... Probably before I'm 40 I should have a kid."

Loeb is hopeful that viewers of "#1 Single" can learn from her experiences.

"We made a show that I'm really proud of," Loeb says. "I feel like it reached its goals. I have people constantly coming up to me saying 'Oh my gosh, you're just like me.' Or married couples say 'Oh my gosh, you remind me of what we went through' ... When I hear other people tell stories that I relate to ... it makes me feel like I'm not alone, it makes me feel like I'm part of a community.

"And that's really important to me."