Originally Posted by bhrubin

I think I'm with you, actually. I think you might have misinterpreted my comments!

I think it's appropriate to dress better in a nice restaurant, but I think the times of jackets and ties being necessary for that consideration have long since passed.

I think the patrons AND the restaurant should be equally respectful of each other: a patron should respect a fine dining restaurant by dressing reasonably well, and the restaurant should respect the patron by not dictating jacket and tie. I don't think there is anything wrong with a restaurant asking for collared shirts, but I also don't think it's that big a deal without a collar!

Of course, I live in California for a reason. When I am in Paris, I very much respect the local tradition of being much better dressed, but I still refuse to wear a jacket that will make me too hot and uncomfortable.