Sim always likes to eat by the pool

That does seem like a bug. I only have one sim with a pool right now, but also had another residential ( it was a 3 apartment complex that had a pool ). And I never had that problem. And, she is a sim with a loves outdoors too. I haven’t played her in awhile though as I play rotationally. But in the past she would usually eat at the table unless I instructed her to eat and watch tv. But like Sindocat mentioned if you have parenthood and set the table that should work. I do know when I was playing the pleasants they would always sit at the table when I wanted them to watch tv and eat. They would sit at the table, then get up and take their plate to the tv. That was kind of annoying.