Tom Sietsema's Online Chat

[Sthitch]

Since when are jackets 'un'comfortable?

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Since people buy them and refuse to have them tailored, or wear refuse to have the jacket retailored after their gut has grown.

[Busboy]

So, does Colorado Kitchen really have a list of rules on the table?

"We were excited to go back, but were really stressed the whole time because, despite the excellent behavior of our child, the chef's rules (printed and put on the table) made clear that only perfect children are welcome. Moreover, the rules state that the restaurant does not provide crayons or paper, leading us to conclude that if we pulled out our own (which we always carry in case our son needs to be entertained) we might be ejected from the establishment for improper dining behavior. Then the statement about people who want their meat well done (might as well act like a woodchuck or something like that) on the list of rules really had as uncomfortable (although we do not like our meat well done). "

That sounds spectacularly unappetizing.

[simdelish]

Since when are jackets 'un'comfortable?

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I'm with you Mark. One of my pet peeves. It really distresses me to see supposed "gentlemen" in a fine dining atmosphere who don't have the courtesy or respect to at least wear a jacket. Respect, I mean, not just to the establishment, but to other diners as well.

In particular, I remember being completely appalled New Years Eve 2003 in a fine dining restaurant, for a special $150 menu, and the slobs I saw there in rolled up shirtsleeves and uncollared shirts.

(My other peeve is men who refuse to remove their hats inside!)

[fero style]

(My other peeve is men who refuse to remove their hats inside!)

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[mnebergall]

Frankly, I think it is the diner's interest to wear jacket and tie to a fine dining establishment, include Restaurant Eve. I think the staff subconsciously treats better dressed patrons better. You get more respect if you show more respect. I think a lot of guys are either too lazy to put on a jacket and tie or lack sartorial confidence.

[iamthestretch]

Screw coats and ties. I'm more worried about this.

"Arlington, VA: Why NOT write about some of your bad experiences? They may be as helpful (or more so) than the positive ones.

Tom Sietsema: Because they are backstage stories that don't affect customers. Like the chefs at a well-known restaurant who have sex in a walk-in cooler -- THAT kind of thing."

[Sthitch]

Frankly, I think it is the diner's interest to wear  jacket and tie to a fine dining establishment, include Restaurant Eve.  I think the staff subconsciously treats better dressed patrons better.  You get more respect if you show more respect.  I think a lot of guys are either too lazy to put on a jacket and tie or lack sartorial confidence.

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Works well while flying as well. People never understand while I always wear a jacket when traveling. I have found that if I do not wear one I am much less likely to get an upgrade, window seat (my preference), or other benefits.

[JPW]

Frankly, I think it is the diner's interest to wear  jacket and tie to a fine dining establishment, include Restaurant Eve.  I think the staff subconsciously treats better dressed patrons better.  You get more respect if you show more respect.  I think a lot of guys are either too lazy to put on a jacket and tie or lack sartorial confidence.

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My one surprise at Eve was the number of people in the bar in jeans and casual tops. Granted it WAS the bar, but still....

While I didn't really notice any difference in service at Eve due to attire, as mnebergall and Shtitch both noted, the way you present yourself has an impact on how you get treated in almost any customer service situation.

[jparrott]

Since when are jackets 'un'comfortable?

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Since people buy them and refuse to have them tailored, or wear refuse to have the jacket retailored after their gut has grown.

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That's me! Oh yeah, they're warm too.

No problem wearing a tie, though.

Of course, I just back from South Africa, where shorts are de rigueur in summer unless it's a Relais Gourmands.

(Shameless plug: My cohort Rich and I are pouring some of our wines at Rick's in Alexandria this Saturday afternoon).

[morela]

I asked...

I learned about if first in the Washingfoamian (see the lilac box). Sounds unique.

Moorea: Hey Tom. Do you know anything about Oya set to open in Chinatown?

Tom Sietsema: Its opening has been postponed and postponed and postponed. The latest news: March 24.

[redglass]

I'm a lady, so I don't have as much jacket wearing experience as the men, but I think DCMark merely missed the point of the other poster's orginal question: where to get good, inventive food in a CASUAL atmosphere. We don't know if this guy hates to wear jackets, he just seems to want to not have to wear one in this particular instance. Different strokes, right?

As for people being slobs all the time, that's another matter. If most people don't have to wear suits to work everyday (thank God!) or to church, why are they going to dress up to get something to eat?

[Busboy]

I'm a lady, so I don't have as much jacket wearing experience as the men, but I think DCMark merely missed the point of the other poster's orginal question: where to get good, inventive food in a CASUAL atmosphere.  We don't know if this guy hates to wear jackets, he just seems to want to not have to wear one in this particular instance.  Different strokes, right?

As for people being slobs all the time, that's another matter.  If most people don't have to wear suits to work everyday (thank God!) or to church, why are they going to dress up to get something to eat?

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I find dressing slovenly in church even more distressing than doing so in a restaurant. As I told my children, "you should dress at least as well to speak with the Creator of the Universe as you would for a job interview." Not that they bought it, but it keeps them out of sneakers and jeans.

[Al_Dente]

As I told my children, "you should dress at least as well to speak with the Creator of the Universe as you would for a job interview."  Not that they bought it, but it keeps them out of sneakers and jeans.

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If the Creator is so interested in us being properly dressed, then why aren't we born with a coat and tie on? Next time I see your kids, I'll be sure to pass this retort on.

I'd prefer, whenever possible, to not wear a coat and tie. But I will when the situation calls for it, just because you're "supposed to".

[DonRocks]

[careful...]

[Busboy]

As I told my children, "you should dress at least as well to speak with the Creator of the Universe as you would for a job interview."  Not that they bought it, but it keeps them out of sneakers and jeans.

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If the Creator is so interested in us being properly dressed, then why aren't we born with a coat and tie on? Next time I see your kids, I'll be sure to pass this retort on.

I'd prefer, whenever possible, to not wear a coat and tie. But I will when the situation calls for it, just because you're "supposed to".

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My children need no coaching from you in the area of smartass replies; they have an innate talent for them. I have no idea where it comes from.

They can wear jeans to Mass when the Pope does.

Edited March 2, 2005 by Busboy (log)

[hjshorter]

So, does Colorado Kitchen really have a list of rules on the table? 

That sounds spectacularly unappetizing.

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No kidding. The attitude is why we haven't bothered going back to CK. It's stressful enough taking our kids out (and ours are well-behaved) without the feeling that the slightest infraction will get us thrown out. IMO a restaurant with meatloaf on the menu needs to take itself a little less seriously.

[mdt]

Frankly, I think it is the diner's interest to wear  jacket and tie to a fine dining establishment, include Restaurant Eve.  I think the staff subconsciously treats better dressed patrons better.  You get more respect if you show more respect.  I think a lot of guys are either too lazy to put on a jacket and tie or lack sartorial confidence.

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My one surprise at Eve was the number of people in the bar in jeans and casual tops. Granted it WAS the bar, but still....

While I didn't really notice any difference in service at Eve due to attire, as mnebergall and Shtitch both noted, the way you present yourself has an impact on how you get treated in almost any customer service situation.

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Well I guess I better bring a change of clothes if I ever decide to stop and eat at the bar at Eve after work one day.

Why are people so hung up on what people are wearing?! You all sound like an old boss that I had that made me wear a suit to pull LAN cables under raised floor at a customer sight. Of couse he got the dry cleaning bill.

I really cannot believe that someone not 'dressed' up enough ruins your dining experience.

Rant over...

[bilrus]

Put me in the category of wearing a jacket when I would be out of place without one, but not if I'd be out of place with one. I'd say 98% of the places in DC qualify as the latter.

That said, even when not wearing a jacket I feel overdressed compared to the other diners in a lot of what I would consider nicer places when wearing a nice shirt and dress slacks.

There are several layers of appropriate dress between suits and jeans.

Edited March 2, 2005 by bilrus (log)

[FunJohnny]

Can't resist getting in on this discussion on dressing to dine: I'm really of two minds -- the libertarian/egalitarian who really couldn't care if other folks come in their Birthday Suits or their Tux's; and the parent who cues his kid that she is in for a dining experience above and beyond going to Mac's by having her dress-up as she did when we went to Eve a few weeks ago. Clothing has an effect both on the wearer and the beholder -- I'm more concerned about the effect on the wearer when it's me or my own.

[JennyUptown]

You took the words right out of my mouth.

The poster didn't say "I want to go to Citronelle dressed like a slob" but instead asked for creative cuisine in a more casual setting.

I'm a lady, so I don't have as much jacket wearing experience as the men, but I think DCMark merely missed the point of the other poster's orginal question: where to get good, inventive food in a CASUAL atmosphere.  We don't know if this guy hates to wear jackets, he just seems to want to not have to wear one in this particular instance.  Different strokes, right?

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[jmc8y]

Since when are jackets 'un'comfortable?

if you don't wear them much or if the one you have doesn't fit well, they can be. kinda like coach rig (robert loggia) in necessary roughness.

[JPW]

Frankly, I think it is the diner's interest to wear  jacket and tie to a fine dining establishment, include Restaurant Eve.  I think the staff subconsciously treats better dressed patrons better.  You get more respect if you show more respect.  I think a lot of guys are either too lazy to put on a jacket and tie or lack sartorial confidence.

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My one surprise at Eve was the number of people in the bar in jeans and casual tops. Granted it WAS the bar, but still....

While I didn't really notice any difference in service at Eve due to attire, as mnebergall and Shtitch both noted, the way you present yourself has an impact on how you get treated in almost any customer service situation.

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Well I guess I better bring a change of clothes if I ever decide to stop and eat at the bar at Eve after work one day.

Why are people so hung up on what people are wearing?! You all sound like an old boss that I had that made me wear a suit to pull LAN cables under raised floor at a customer sight. Of couse he got the dry cleaning bill.

I really cannot believe that someone not 'dressed' up enough ruins your dining experience.

Rant over...

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Well, mdt.

Part of the restaurant experience is atmosphere and people are part of that atmosphere. I have different expectations of the atmosphere at a place like Eve than I do of a place like, say, Jaleo.

I can't recall ever having said it "ruined" my dining experience. I said I was surprised. Surprised that they thought it appropriate to wear jeans and a t-shirt to a relatively high-end place, even in the bar area. Did it "ruin" my dinner? no. Did it change the atmosphere of the room? Yes.

Without getting off on a rant of my own, I find that the blatant disregard of one's effect on others to be one of the least appealing facets of modern American culture.

PS - I wouldn't have made you wear suit to pull cable, but would have expected at least khakis, a golf shirt and a clean shave.

[misscindy]

I totally agree--the way people dress impacts atmopshere in a big way. My personal pet peeve? Shorts. For the love of God, if you are going somewhere that is even remotely stylish, please do us all a favor and put on your big boy pants.

[JennyUptown]

Funny you mention that. Just last Saturday as my family and I waited for our table, I sat next to a way-drunk tourist (he introduced himself that way) in shorts at David Greggory's bar.

I totally agree--the way people dress impacts atmopshere in a big way.  My personal pet peeve?  Shorts.  For the love of God, if you are going somewhere that is even remotely stylish, please do us all a favor and put on your big boy pants.

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[iamthestretch]

Short doesn't bug me, as long as it's skirts we're talking about.