Fifi

You all are positively nuts. I can tell you that I've been hostess for more than 30 years at several places, and whenever sloppily dressed potential patrons with reservations appear, we have them step aside and wait a long while. Sooner or later classier folks appear without reservations, whereupon we tell the folks waiting we can't find their reservation. Or, if the table may go empty for the evening, we decide if we'll let them have it or not. Sometime we seat the slobs, often we don't. So, there.

Melba

Gee, I have always seen Americans dressed nicely. But I have seen some sloppy locals and visiting Irish folks that do not bother to change into something more appropriate when going to a formal restaurant. And that's because they want to be comfortable and are not fussy about those things. I like to dress accordingly, but my relatives are a different story.

Dee

Last September my husband and I had dinner at Toque. It was very hot that week with temperatures well above normal. However, we had brought "appropriate" clothes. My husband was in jacket and tie and I wore a dressy pants suit. We were seated at a nice table. However, we felt WAY over dressed. There were several patrons in shorts and polo type shirts. Others were in "business casual." My husband was the only man in a jacket and tie. <BR><BR>We were disappointed in the restaurant. In our opinion it did not live up to the hype. However, IF we ever did go back, we would not "dress up" as much.<BR><BR>

Adrienne

I'm a restaurant hostess, too. Fifi makes a good point, if a bit bluntly. We are always booked up on weekends, and usually every weeknight. We turn away people who are not appropriately dressed. We tell them we cannot find their reservation. We know the table will not go empty, that we are sure to receive a call from a hotel concierge requesting a last minute table. The concierges all know which destinations to recommend based upon the attire of the patrons.

Concierges

Concierges all know what restauants to recommend based on the attire of patrons?<BR>Really.....so if I go down to the lobby, dressed in my "casual" clothes, making enquiries as to different restaurants, how do they know how I am going to dress for dinner? And most people who are choosing fancier or more expensive dinner places have made these choices a bit earlier than when they come downstairs all dressed in our finery to go out the door. We KNOW what to expect and dont expect a reservation at 8pm on Saturday night. <BR><BR>I will tell you a funny story:<BR>went downstairs around 2:00 pm after checking in, casually dressed from travel, not sloppy just casual, requested restaurant suggestions for "high end italian", "excellent atmosphere/romantic/food etc." These were my criteria. Was given two choices, reiterated my requirements, was assured they both were perfect. Went back to my room, discussed with my husband, picked one and called. Needless to say, when we arrived, it was a "middle of the road" type place, very casual, not our type of choice at all. Found somewhere else to go. Upon returning to the hotel, stopped by the concierge desk to express my disappointment, they asked for my room number and name in order to speak to the concierge who made the recommedation and get back to us, and when I gave them our room number they said "We would never have recommended such a place had we known your room number!" We happened to be staying in a large suite. So.....sometimes they have no clue either. And make the wrong assumptions. Just a warning.

Mora

It is definitely true that hotel concierges "size you up", just as maitre d's and hostesses do at restaurants. I wonder why "needless to say" went downstairs instead of phoning. Concierges may not always be right, but they're never wrong.

Concierges

Mora,<BR>The answer is simple: we had just checked in, and I came down to check out the facilites. Get a look at the pool, fitness, spa, etc. Stopped by the concierge desk. My point is; regardlesss of how I was dressed, when I asked for "high end, very romantic, excellent service etc." I expected to be given restaurants that met my criteria. Not some young concierges idea of what I could afford based on my attire. And also, just as a side note, this was not a low end hotel. Standard rooms start at 350, suite type rooms start at 600.

NYer

We stayed at the Omni a couple of years ago, when I asked the concierge for a casual place for dinner, he sent us to Le Caveau. <BR> And believe me , that was NOT based on the attire of the moment!<BR> This is so ridiculous to say that someone working in a hotel would recommend a restaurant based on the persons attire at the time!<BR> Here in NYC, they aren't that concerned about what you are wearing, it is the money you are spending. <BR>

Kathi

I can positively assure you that your presentation is critical. It is not only your attire, but your DEMEANOR that counts. Le Caveau is a dump. You can count on being pretty much ignored (lest you are a regular local) and dismal food (even IF you are a regular local). As for NYC, there is no question but that you are "received" based upon your shoes and your jewelry as no one can tell otherwise what you have to "spend".

C

But Kathi-<BR>you aren't shopping, you are eating. Since when do restaurants allow you in according to if you have money to spend?<BR>This has turned into the most ridiculous thread! With all of these ignorant opinions.

Barney O'Shea

Marsha & all your other aliases, you must really believe all the crap that flows from your toothless mouth. Get off your high moose, no one is buying your manure!