Sorry, but I don't think I'd want a fixed type of seating in a kitchen. It's too inflexible. You can't move seats closer or farther away from the counter for getting in/out of the seats, or to accommodate people of different sizes (small to large...both height and width) or to accommodate different tasks (you might not always want seats there...like when using it as a buffet table). Instead, I think you should try to fix the issue...Lavender_Lass gave you one idea.

OK...you're probably not going to like what I have to say and you probably don't want to hear it...but this way you'll be warned and you won't be able to say that no one told you... First, if you want a cooktop in a peninsula (or island) with seating then you need one that's 48" deep...not 36". Think about it...if you have steam from boiling water, grease splattering, smoke, etc. wafting across the peninsula...do you really want someone sitting across from it???? You really need 24" behind the cooktop for a "safety zone" to protect your visitors. You also need to be sure to have 24" on the side w/the end of the peninsula. Next, how do you plan to vent your cooktop? Speaking from very real experience...downdrafts do not work very well, including telescoping. I had heard from some people hear that telescoping ones work at least for pots/pans right up next to them and a few inches shorter than them...but my experience this week so far has been that even those don't work very well...at least not the Dacor in our rental house (paired up w/a very nice Dacor gas cooktop...the cooktop I really like!) So you really need an overhead range hood. There are more and stronger air currents over/around an open space like a peninsula or island than against a wall...so you need a bigger & stronger range hood...at least 6" wider than the cooking surface and 27" deep. That bigger/stronger hood will also be a commanding presence in your kitchen as well as block the "view". Oh, and island hoods are generally more expensive b/c they're finished on all 4 sides instead of 3. Plus the added expensive of venting from a non-exterior wall. Last, why do you want the cooktop in the peninsula? Is it the absolutely only way to make your kitchen function effectively? Is it for the "view" or to visit while standing at a hot cooktop w/hot food? If the former, then I might say OK...with the appropriate precautions & venting. If the latter, then know that kitchen work studies have found that... 70% of the time spent/work done in the kitchen is prepping 20% is spent cleaning up 10% is spent actually cooking So, if it's for "visiting" or a "view", what does it make the most sense to have in the peninsula? The Prep Zone! Also, when I'm cooking, I watch what I'm doing...it's the last place/time I want someone distracting me...especially if you have a gas cooktop (flame). Sorry I'm so adamant...but the past 2.5 days have made me even more against a cooktop in a peninsula w/inadequate safety zones, inadequate workspace, and very ineffective venting! Post your layout...see if we can find you a better location for your cooktop! (And, remember the kitchen work flow... Refrigerator --> Prep Zone & sink --> Cooking Zone & cooktop --> Cleanup Zone & sink/DW...that's the flow to strive for in your kitchen layout.) Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!

I have not had time to read everyone's responses but your post reminded me of my kitchen. I got rid of the overhang to add storage cabinets instead and couldn't be happier. My width for kitchen and eating area was only 18.2 feet but I am so glad that I have 5 feet between the arms of the U. It allows 3 people to work comfortably and to move in and out without bumping each other. I will post the layout evolution and the reveal. I LOVE those outside peninsula storage cabinets- one is a "charging drawer" that has a power strip inside it for all those electronics that otherwise clutter the area. My boys think this is genius. Another holds all the office supplies for those who choose to work at the kitchen table. There is a coffee/tea drawer , a stationary supplies/mail drawer (where I hide accumulated unsorted mail when I have visitors), and an "empty" drawer to hold things cleared off the table when we need to eat. We have not used the small undercounter fridge except for company. There is even a large toekick drawer which is full of miscellaneous supplies- backup keys, batteries, dental floss, etc. We had never used the peninsula for seating in the 20 years we had been in the house so there was no hesitation getting rid of it. scrappy25 layout evolution scrappy25 reveal

Thanks Romy -- Almost exact - mine is 39 x 75. I'm going to add two recessed lights over the island and just do the 3 pendants along the peninsula. I'll probably change out the other hanging fixture in our seating area. Maybe to a pretty flush mount of some sort. Good thing is, I don't have to choose anything right away. He can just install the boxes and I can take my time.