Paris Dinner Dress

[turlendu]

This board has been most helpful in selecting restaurants. Could you comment on my assumptions on DINNER dress? I'm most interested in understand what the MAJORITY of people at these restaurants will be wearing.

Jacket and Tie

Le Cinq/Le Meurice
Restaurant du Palais Royal

Smart Casual

Josephine Chez Dumonet
L'Ardoise
Pinxo
Fish La Boissoniere

What about dress at Le Souffle, L'Absinthe, Goumard

Off the dress topic, I'll take another Sunday seafood restaurant dinner recommendation (other than FISH or Goumard). THANKS HOUNDS!!

[John Talbott]

I will surely get in trouble (again) for my remembrances of times past but 30 years ago men all wore ties and women dresses, wherever; now the men dress like they are recognizable celebrities (eg black teeshirts) and the women outclass them by far, except:
At Palace Hotel restos, esp at lunch, all ties.

[mangeur]

It is difficult to define precisely what works at dinner in Paris. Of course, in formal dining rooms, a coat and tie will remove doubt. Where things start to unravel is the differentiation between casual and sloppy. Below the 3* level, one can look fabulous and be completely comfortable in good sportswear. My husband has started to wear jeans in Paris to any but the most formal restaurants, always crisp and well fitting, paired with collared shirts and a good jacket.

I almost always wear pants, simple, smashing and black. I dislike traveling with jewelry but try to have one piece, perhaps ethnic, that gives my outfit some presence.

Basically, if you feel good in your choice of clothes, you will present yourself well and enjoy the evening.

[jock]

Your selection of attire is spot on for each of the restaurants you mention. Do not miss the calves liver at Palais Royale if they have it when you are there.

IMO you need look no further than Fish. The food is excellent (seafood and otherwise) the atmosphere casual, the wines very well chosen (Drew will not steer you wrong) and the prices reasonable.

[Oakglen]

The Parisians have historically been much more formally dressed than we. Even on the weekends. But times are changing; they seem to be adopting our sloppy standards. That doesn't go for the Fashion times (October) however. As previously stated, you can't be overdressed in Paris; a tie and sportcoat are always appreciated, and usually honored.

[PhilD]

As a rule of thumb you will never feel over dressed in Paris, it isn't a city that looks down on people who dress well, in fact quite the opposite.

I never wore a tie for dinner and never found this a problem (well OK La Tour d'Argent made me wear one but that was many years ago). Le Cinq is formal and you will feel good if you dress up, the Palais Royal restaurant is less formal, from memory (I only walked past) it seemed quite informal (but not casual). Fish is very casual, jeans and t-shirt are fine, Josephine is casual but dressing well will be appreciated, and I am afraid I don't know the others.

[terrycatch]

In the US, I always wear suit and tie to all but the most humble restaurants. First, because I enjoy every opportunity to wear suit and tie; second, because the attention of the staff is, in my experience, significantly enhanced. Will be in Paris in two weeks for the first time in five or six years. Has anything changed in this regard?