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Q: Restaurant dress code ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Restaurant dress code
Category: Arts and Entertainment > Restaurants and City Guides
Asked by: kowai999-ga
List Price: $10.00
Posted: 20 Jul 2003 17:12 PDT
Expires: 19 Aug 2003 17:12 PDT
Question ID: 233127
Some restaurants recommend a particular dress code.  In particular,
I'm interested in the term "casual elegance".  Here is an example:

http://www.savvydiner.com/details.php?r=518

What qualifies and what does not qualify as "casual elegance" for a
man in terms of dressing appropriately for a restaurant?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Restaurant dress code
Answered By: tlspiegel-ga on 20 Jul 2003 19:11 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hi kowai999,

Typically the term "casual elegance" means long slacks and a shirt. 
In summer, a short sleeve shirt, or golf/polo shirt is appropriate,
and during the colder months you might want to wear a long sleeved
collared shirt or a turtleneck sweater.

You'd want to wear closed shoes (no tennis shoes or sandals). 

On the east coast dress codes are slightly more formal than the west
coast - and a jacket and tie might be required.  (Might be a good idea
to phone ahead.)

In reference to the restaurant Metropolitan Grill from your link
provided in the question - I placed a call to the hostess and inquired
exactly what is their dress code.  I was politely told that it will
run the gamut from anything to everything.  All are welcome! 
Customers coming in from a Mariners Game would be dressed in shorts
and sandals.  Others are arriving after or before the Symphony and
will be dressed to the 'nines'!  Even jeans and a t-shirt are
accepted.

As she said, "All types of garb are welcome day or night Monday
through Sunday."

*****

As I browsed around the Web I found many references to 'casual
elegance' - Beginning with...
an article from the Wine Spectator - Feedback: No Jacket Required 
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Archives/Show_Article/0,1275,3682,00.html

"Gradually, a loose consensus emerged: Slovenly attire is
unacceptable, but shedding the jacket, tie, ballgown and so on is to
be desired. This result was bolstered by the follow-up poll. When
asked what policy they preferred at restaurants, a healthy 57 percent
of respondents maintained that they wanted "dressy" clothes to be
encouraged, but not strictly enforced. Twenty-seven percent argued
that dress codes should be left to diners, while only 10 percent voted
for a stringent, no-exceptions policy.

Specific comments ranged from "I think it's archaic to require men to
wear a jacket," to "How can a fancy meal feel special if the schlub
next to you is wearing a T-shirt?" By and large, however, it seems
that the requirement that restaurant-goers treat their meals as
opportunities to get dolled up has gone the way of the finger bowl.
Nowadays, most diners shoot for the equation that was crisply
described by one respondent as "comfort=enjoyment."

Even restaurateurs who maintain dress codes acknowledge that the times
are changing. We checked, just to see if the poll respondents had
sensed a trend.

"We've tried to loosen things up," said Rita Jammet, co-owner of New
York's La Caravelle, which has required jackets for gentlemen for its
entire 40-year existence but recently made neckties optional. "To be
honest, we're placed in a difficult position. It's terrible to turn
people away because they are not dressed appropriately, but our other
guests demand it."
 
*****


Couples Resorts
http://www.billfoxtravel.com/couples/cn/dining.asp

Casual elegance is the fashion style at most of our restaurants.
However, if you wish to dine at our fine gourmet restaurant, Otaheite,
we request a more elegant look. For men, slacks, collared shirts and
closed shoes would be appropriate and for women, dresses, skirts or
dress pants are fine.

*****


http://www.beaches.com/main/ng/ng-dining.cfm
Dress code is casual elegance (long pants and collared shirts).

*****


FURNACE CREEK INN & RANCH RESORT in Death Valley, CA
http://www.furnacecreekresort.com/dining/012A_dining.htm

"Dress code is casual elegance. Sorry no jeans (except after 8:30pm),
shorts or tee-shirts."

*****


http://www.cheapertravel.com/sandals/halcyon_dine.htm
Dress code: Casual elegance - Dress pants and collared shirts.


*****

Last year a friend of mine took me to a very expensive restaurant
where the men were not permitted to wear a tie and the building inside
was covered with nailed-to-the-wall cut in half neckties.  :)

******

And finally a bit of humor from Groucho!

The Little, Brown Book of Anecdotes
Clifton Fadiman, General Editor

MARX, Groucho [Julius] (1895-1977), US comedian, one of the 
famous Marx Brothers.

The maitre d'hotel stopped Groucho as he was about to enter the dining
room of a smart Los Angeles hotel. "I am sorry, sir, but you have no
necktie."

"That's all right," said Groucho, "don't be sorry. I remember the time
I had no pants."

"I am sorry sir," repeated the man, "you cannot enter the dining room
without a necktie."

Groucho caught sight of a bald man in the center of the dining room
and yelled, "Look! Look at him! You won't let me in without a necktie,
but you let him in without his hair!"


*****

My colleague pinkfreud answered a similar question at the following
link:
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=56691


Google search: a combination of the following words

casual elegance restaurant dress code men 


Best regards,

tlspiegel

Clarification of Answer by tlspiegel-ga on 20 Jul 2003 21:30 PDT
Hi kowai999,

Thank you for the 5 star rating and your most generous tip!  :)  I
enjoyed doing the research for you...

Warm regards,

tlspiegel
kowai999-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars and gave an additional tip of: $10.00
Awesome answer.  I especially appreciate the call to the restaurant in
question.  Thanks!

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