Upscale Manhattan restaurants in jeans?
 

Are the any upscale restaurants in Manhattan where we can wear jeans?

Boomer, it all depends on how you define "upscale." I'd say generally No, one shouldn't wear jeans to a so-called upscale restaurant. If it's truly upscale, by my definition, one would feel and look uncomfortable in jeans. But then again, some people consider Hooters upscale, so like I said, it depends on your definition. Do you have a specific restaurant in mind?

Boomer, There are probably no traditional "upscale" restaurants that you'd feel comfortable in with jeans on. <BR><BR><BR>That said, there are many "hip" restaurants where you could probably get by with a pair of very hip jeans. If you don't know what hip jeans are or where to get them, I'd say leave the Levi's at home before a nice meal in NYC. Dressing up can be fun, enjoy.

By definition, if the place lets you in wearing jeans, it ain't upscale!! IMHO, hip is a synonym for trendy, which ain't upscale either. Trendy hipster places come and go; upscale has staying power. How 'bout investing in a nifty pair of Dockers or something???<BR><BR>

Dockers are worse than a pair of hip and trendy jeans in NY. The Boss' reply was on target.<BR>Leave the Levi's and Dockers home.

Janet, funny that you should suggest "nifty Dockers" since we own a good portion of the company.

If you're over 30, overweight, and your jeans cost less than $500, forget it. If you're wearing the right shoes, might be ok. I'm wondering why anyone who wants to dine "upscale" would not want to dress "upscale" as well.

Then why is it that you've never been to NY before and don't know how to dress appropriately in an upscale restaurant? You own a portion of Dockers and don't know how to dress for Manhattan?<BR>Invest in some nice Zegna pants and sportscoat or Hugo Boss or Armani or Versace depending on your age.<BR>Dockers are for the Red Lobster.

I have international clients and dress all week long. That's why I want to wear jeans.

Crude to even compare Hugo Boss and Versace ...and perhaps some reading comprehension courses will teach you how to understand a question without making assumptions.

Boomer, <BR>I'm not comparing Boss and Versace. It's just hilarious that you are asking what to wear when it should be commons sense.<BR>You seem like an educated well-to-do individual. I'm just stating that Dockers are not done in the city and it depends on the place for jeans. Women can do jeans more often than men. Stick to something flattering for your age group. Versace is for the 20-30 something skinny model type while Boss is for the older distinguished type.<BR>The names were just for a reference and I could rattle off many more that you probably never heard of.

Boomer, <BR>I'm not comparing Boss and Versace. It's just hilarious that you are asking what to wear when it should be common sense.<BR>You seem like an educated and well-to-do individual. I'm just stating that Dockers are not done in the city and it depends on the place for jeans. Women can do jeans more often than men. Stick to something flattering for your age group. Versace is for the 20-30 something skinny model type while Boss is for the older distinguished type.<BR>The names were just for a reference.

....and I could "rattle off" many names of my friends probably which you would have heard of...but enough of this. I really just wanted a great meal.

Tina - I usually ignore threads like this one, but your comment "Dockers are not done in the city" had me in hysterics! Of course you would not wear a pair of Dockers to a upscale restaurant . . .but sweetie, people DO wear them, here in "THE CITY"! As far as "Boomer" is concerned, if this actually a "real" post, you need to leave the jeans at home if you are dining at that level.

Boomer, where you live, do they have upscale restos? and do you wear jeans to them? then you should follow that rule in NYC, it will be helpful..or just wear a pair of black pants every night, even if it is casual you will look fine..but in jeans you are taking a chance.

Hey guys, I was JOKING about the Dockers. I realize they too are not appropriate at an upscale restaurant in NYC. Just joking, okay? So everyone relax about the Dockers. <BR><BR>And Boomer, I need to put my boots on because you're piling it up pretty deep. Or do I really need to check my Schedule 13D to see if there's a "Boomer" on the list?

Oh, wow - you guys - come on! Boomer is a troll. Let it rest.

Boomer, instead wearing jeans, Dockers, Armani, or Hugo Boss, I suggest you dine in your boxers, or if you prefer, au naturel. Just make sure you call the concierge first and have him place a call to the maitre 'd at the restaurant you so desire the cuisine from. Then have it delivered to where ever you choose to dwell and dine. Bon appetit.

My handsome, tall, thin, young husband wears dockers - he looks great. What's wrong with a dark kahki or brown? They come in lots of fabrics - wish I were a man and dressing was so easy.<BR><BR>I know this was a troll post in retort of the women's clothings posts but interesting just the same. And, look at all the men answering.

Tall - thin - young - sounds vaguely familiar, maybe something from the distant past. Anyway, lets get practical for a moment: anybody know a good tailor for pleats? Apparently I'll need a second one in this summer's thong. Maybe I can cover up with a pashmina, or matching twin set (I'm just dying for nygirl to decypher that one!).

BROWN????? Ugh.

There are many upscale restaurants that will let you in wearing jeans, however, they will seat you either by the bar, by the door, or near the kitchen. You also have a better chance at getting by in jeans if you eat really early, 5:30 or so. Or, you could opt for one of the upscale restaurants that has a less expensive 'grill' on the premises or next door. For example-Nobu has Nobu Next Door-same food, easier to get in and more casual. Tabla has a more formal dining room upstairs and a Bread Bar with a more casual atmosphere downstairs. Same thing for Gramercy Tavern. All three restaurants would be considered upscale and neat, clean jeans with a collared shirt would be fine. I'd pass on sneakers though.

Ellen, Thank you for your civil and helpful response.

For heaven's sake...I have travelled all over the world including Paris, London, Sydney, Milan, Rome, Madrid and many more major centers including New York. For heavens sake...no restaurant will turn you away. They never know WHO you might be! Wear your jeans, wear your dockers, just do it! The person wearing the jeans pays the same as the person who wears the tux and phooey on maintaining the prestige of the restaurant! Nonsense...I am sick of the politically correct police telling me what to wear!

Well, puhleeze, some places in Manhattan will NOT let you if you're dressed inappropriately. Happened to me recently -- a friend came in from Boston and we went straight out to eat and we were turned away because he wasn't wearing a collared shirt. <BR><BR>I think most people's point is not political correctness or prestige, but simply not looking like an out-of-place idiot. But if that's how one wants to look, so be it.

How does how I choose to dress make me an idiot? If I am more comfortable walking around a major city in a pair of dockers and running shoes and am willing to pay thru the nose for lunch AND am well behaved..well, why am I an idiot?

You go gimme girl!!! Let's march on those hoity-toity restaurants that charge you $100 for an ok meal and another $100 for a bottle of wine you can buy in the wine shop for $25 and THEN tell you you're not appropriate to sit in their establishment! I don't get it - why do we put up with that!!!??

For what it's worth, I dined at Nobu -- not Nobu Next Door--on a Saturday night in October, at 9pm, and saw several diners wearing jeans, seated at good tables. No, I don't know how much the jeans cost, and no, I didn't recognize them as famous, though they may have been. I tend to agree that places loosely defined as "hip" or "young" will let you in in jeans; formal French places won't except under extraordinary circumstances.

Gimme: You're not an idiot when you do that. You simply show you have no class.

I just realized that my post wasn't entirely accurate... a few years ago, I dined at Cafe des Artistes with a friend whose luggage had been delayed and who joined me, therefore, in jeans. While several other diners were in evening gowns, my friend and I were seated well and treated graciously. Perhaps it's having a reservation that tips the scale...

Telling someone that "they simply show that they have no class" because they express their opinion...now THAT'S class.

I think that when traveling it is important to recognize the customs of other cultures and to try your best to participate and learn about the area rather than just showing up.<BR><BR>Just becuase you decide to change your style of dress doesn't mean that you're not "keepin it real". <BR><BR>In this case, it means that when you go out to a nice restaurant you should probably try to fit in and dress as a real Manhattanite would dress. This doesn't mean that you won't get service in jeans, nor does it mean that others think that they are superior in any way.<BR><BR>When I go to Paris, I dress accordingly. When I go to the Mid-East, I try to dress accordlingly. In the Caribbean it is often seen as very disrespectful to walk around town with short sleeved shirts, thus I comply. <BR><BR>

<BR>I can't believe I'm going to respond, but here goes. <BR><BR>"gimme," I didn't call you an idiot. Let's review together. I said: "I think most people's point is not political correctness or prestige, but simply not looking like an out-of-place idiot." <BR><BR>It's a free country - you can choose to dress however you want, wherever you want. Doesn't make you an idiot, but you may LOOK like an idiot to the people around you. Any the maitre'd may not let you in the door - that's his/her choice as well. So you know what, gimme? You go for it! Enjoy!

If you are talking about upscale, like Le Bernadin, Le Cirque, etc, leave the jeans at home. In fact, leave the khaki's at home. A woman might be able to get away with jeans if they are the high-end designer original types and its an early seating. For men, you'll need a jacket.<BR><BR>A somewhat lower tier restaurant, may seat you if you are wearing jeans. However, if it is big enough, you'll be stuck in a section that is clearly "the tourist" area. I went to Shun Lee Palace recently with a few friends. I had just come from work and had on a nice pair of khaki's. That didn't rate the main dining room. The prior week, with clients and a suit, no problem with the grown-up room.<BR>

In porder to wear jeans to an uscale NYC restaurant,,,,you will need to be very famous.<BR><BR>I doubt that anyone would have a problem if David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, Katie Couric, etc was wearing jeans at the table next to them.

But of course if David, Jerry or Katie did that, our friend "class" would say they had none???

You could probably find people in jeans in many upscale restaurants & they are not in the least bit famous. However, they may be regulars. We frequent an upscale steakhouse with business guests at least 6 times per month. So, if my husband & I decide to drop by on a Sat. night at 9 for dinner, & happen to be wearing jeans, we have no problem being seated. <BR><BR>Sometimes though, it is just out of respect for the ambience that the restaurant is trying to achieve that one should try to look ones best. For many people dining at upscale restaurants, it isn't just about the food.

So let me get this straight. If you are a Katie Couric or a George Clooney, a regular at a restaurant or a "hip" chic, you can dress like a slob, be accepted (heck, even be "cool") and have loads of class. If you're Joe Schmoo and do the same, you're an idiot, have no class and belong at Red Lobster. Duh?

Exactly

gaggag,<BR><BR>You really think that Katie Couric in jeans would look like a slob?<BR><BR>You think that some guy from Kansas wearing a 5 year old plaid suit from Sears and clip on tie would be "classier" than Katie in jeans?<BR><BR>Gee, I wonder which person the restaurant would prefer?