I also dine often at Michelin and comparable Pellegrino type restaurants around the USA and around the world when we travel. I almost always take photos of my food at such “esteemed” places at the behest of many family and friends who enjoy seeing what they expect to never be able to experience themselves.

I always try to take such photos as discreetly as possible, avoiding flash at all costs and asking if I can use flash in the rare instances where I think it is necessary. I even try to move to a direction where flash would be less problematic for anyone else in such rare cases.

I am of the opinion that what happens at my table is nobody else’s business if it in no way impacts another table, just as it’s not my business what happens at anyone else’s table if it in no way impacts mine. If someone else wants to take photos without flash, or even a rare photo with flash, then I’m OK with that. If someone wants to dress up to someone else’s standard or dress down to or according to theirs, that also is OK with me as it in no way impacts my dining experience.

I also have no problem when people ask a server to take a photo of their table or to join such photos. Everyone is entitled to a memory or two. If one doesn’t like that, one doesn’t belong in a public venue IMO. That being said, if a group gets too overbearing in that effort, I’ve been known to say something in such rare instances. Others are entitled to their approach just as I am entitled to say my peace.

Too many people apparently want to feel better about themselves by seeing or requiring everyone else to behave and dress exactly like they do; I don’t subscribe to that approach or philosophy at all. We don’t live in Victorian England. Restaurants are public venues, though that concept varies a little from culture to culture. So we must accept a bit of diversity in such public venues. I don’t expect everyone to behave and dress the same way, nor do I want everyone to behave and dress the same way. Diversity is a challenge for many...but they’ll eventually get over it.