We're heading to San Francisco next week, and I've made dinner reservations for us at these restaurants:

Chapeau!
Frascati
Chez Panisse Cafe
Zuni Cafe

Obviously I know San Francisco leans towards casual and that I wouldn't have a problem being seated at any of these places in jeans - but my question is more of whether I will feel *uncomfortable* at any of these places in jeans and a nice-ish shirt (no t-shirts)? I hate feeling underdressed! I could wear something nicer, true, but then I'd have to wear nicer shoes too and I don't think I'm going to want to walk a lot in somewhat uncomfortable shoes.

I'll bump this up.

Only have been to Zuni Cafe. Dark wash jeans with a collared shirt would be fine and prob not sneakers. I'd wear comfort loafers/ slip ons.

Jeans for Zuni are okay as long as they are in good condition [ie no: rips, holes, frayed bottoms etc]. A nice shirt/top [not nice-ish] for sure.

That's the good news.

The bad news is there is no way I would wear jeans [even those with 3 digit price tags] to Chez Panisse! Upstairs or downstairs; sorry no way.

We were there last month [upstairs] and you will be underdressed and feel awkward. I wore nice slacks, comfortable black leather flats and a nice top. DH wore nice slacks, collared shirt [no tie or jacket].

Can't help on the other 2.

Honestly, a pair of slacks with a top shouldn't be that much of a problem to pack and use just for dinners. Don't worry that much about shoes, as long as they aren't flipflops or sneakers. Footwear won't show - your top [and slacks to a degree] will.

Deb

Haven't been to Chapeau! or Frascati, but I'd wear jeans to the Cafe at Chez Panisse and Zuni--if you look good in jeans--and not with tennis shoes unless you are really hip. Are you? If you're a hipster I'd say you'd be fine in jeans at any of these places.

p.s. Nopa is great too if you can get a reservation.

Have to disagree with upstairs at Chez Panisse. The last time I was there (with 3 other people) we were all wearing jeans. Not Levi's,t-shirts, & tennis shoes, but very nice jeans, girls with dressy tops and heels, guys in nice shirts. We didn't feel anywhere close to out of place and no one stared at us like we were underdressed.

In the 5 years of living in the Bay Area there are very few places that nice jeans are totally unacceptable. I'm not quite sure why people can have such an across the board aversion to jeans and do they actually live in the Bay Area or come from dressier cities? I don't understand the mentality that somehow khaki's are dressier than nice jeans. I've certainly seen some pretty sad-looking, khaki-wearing outfits!

Thanks for all the replies! As for the jeans, I'm a 26 year old woman and I just feel more attractive and put together in my dark, trouser-style jeans (as opposed to khakis) with a nice silky or button-up top. I never wear tennis shoes, so my shoes are flat shoes that are casual and comfy for walking. Truthfully, I love wearing dresses and heels for a nice night out around home, but if I have to walk from our hotel to the MUNI stop then on to the restaurant (and back again afterwards), I'm thinking that wearing heels might be a really dumb idea. My flat shoes are too casual to be paired with a dress.

I'd heard that Chez Panisse Cafe was really quite casual, with lots of people dressed the way I'm thinking of being - my main concern out of all of the places I listed was Frascati. Would love to hear more from anyone who's been to these places!!

tara, did you see the photos on Frascati's website? I'd say you can wear jeans, flats and a nice blouse there no problem.

http://www.frascatisf.com/

I have wanted to go to Chapeau! forever. Please post a report when you return.

Have a great trip.

Please read the "Dressing down in America" post. It may better answer your question. Just because other people are doing it doesn't make it right, Zuni is probably the only one that I would venture into in jeans (& really, I still probably wouldn't). I'm w/DebitNM.

I'd wear your dresses and buy a new pair of shoes (flat and dressy).

bookmarking

Since when does San Francisco lean towards casual? Dress nicely, if not for yourself, for the comfort of your fellow diners and out of respect for the restaurant owners.