Originally Posted by
CGRA
Except few exceptions, jacquet is not required in michelin star restaurants.
I refer to Michelin 3 star and some 2 star restaurants. For Michelin 3 star restaurants, especially in the big cities in Europe/Asia, there are far more that DO require a jacket than do not. For Michelin 2 star restaurants in the same regions, there are a substantial number that do, as well. Guy Savoy, L'Arpege, Epicure, Le Meurice, Le Cinq, etc in Paris alone all require jackets for gentlemen.
Even many 1 Michelin star restaurants in Europe require jackets in season. We will be going to Venice in Oct 2016, and 1 star MET, Quadri, and Osteria da Florie all require jackets at dinner in the fall/winter.
Originally Posted by
tng11
The staff at Noma pointed out on the night that I was there, that there were 4 tables of students there that night!
Including my party, there were a total of 19 students there that night (all of us presumably studying here in Copenhagen on exchange), which is unheard of for a 2* restaurant.
I only saw a solitary table of 3 wear jackets that night, and even then it was with jeans. I personally enjoyed the meal much more because I could wear whatever the hell I felt like was comfortable.
My Danish friends told me, upon hearing my query about dress code/jacket requirements at Noma/Geranium, that in DK you would be allowed to wear a bikini if you pay the bill. I knew I was in love.
I couldn't agree more, and I loved Noma (and Geranium). I also loved The Ledbury in London, which also doesn't require a jacket--surprising in more formal London.
Of course, in California, only the French Laundry still requires a jacket of the 3 star Michelin restaurants--one reason I am not a fan. Saison, Benu, Manresa, and Meadowood steadfastly do not have jacket requirements...which is perfectly appropriate for more relaxed California.
Meadowood actually had a tag line on their website: "If denim is your preference, dark is ours." I knew I'd love it. And we naturally had a fabulous dinner and service experience there--and were able to joke around with the staff like we often enjoy doing. We actually laughed about another table with gentlemen all wearing jackets--all of which were ill-fitting and looking like they cost about $25 off the rack.
Wearing a jacket in no way ensures that a man is well-dressed...something that old-school fine dining restaurants (most often ranked in the 2-3 Michelin star milieu) would do well to acknowledge.