I think too many people think the "uncomfortableness" or "boringness" of eating dinner together, could be doing themselves and their families a disservice. If it's uncomfortable, get over it. Good things aren't always comfortable. But they become comfortable in time with practice. If it's boring, perhaps it's because the common ground isn't established to become interesting. How is that fixed by continuing to not talk?
When Mr Scully and I first got married we had nice IKEA table that was comfortable for seating 4 adults. It was very serviceable even when we had 3 small children. Unfortunately, as the children grew (as they are apt to do) the table wasn't comfortable for all of us to sit together for meals, and we got out of the habit of eating together. It was something that we ALL missed because we never got a chance to all of us sit down and discuss the day and upcoming plans and try to make some arrangements so we could accommodate everyone's wishes - and that was very stressful, even moreso than having a sit-down dinner every night.
About a year ago, we decided it was time to upgrade the table. The new one seats 6-8 comfortably and has an extension feature that we can use when we have a big group of 10 or even 12. At first, it was awkward starting conversations again, but we started playing board games and cards with the kids after dinner a couple of nights a week and that made a huge difference in everyone's comfort level and was a kind of conversation starter for those awkward moments.
That table and my crockpot were the best investments we've ever made in our family's well-being.