When dining alone I read a book or use my mobile to check emails etc. It would be too boring to sit and only watch.....

The other thing I add to the conversation is that for many of the people posting in this thread, as well as myself, dining at a Michelin restaurant is not uncommon, and it follows that we can afford it. But to many people it may be a once or twice in a lifetime opportunity and a big splurge. As long as they are being respectful of others in the restaurant, I'm very happy that they're taking pictures to remember the experience. How many times have each of us had a once in a lifetime experience and wished later we had pictures?

And taking pictures is not disrespectful of others, before anyone argues that. Being loud and obnoxious is.

That's a great observation on its own and something I think about often when dining, but in a different context. Others are having a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm critiquing the meal against all the others I've had and finding fault. I stopped going for a long time last year just because I felt like I was becoming too critical.

I totally agree, but I am also a fan of civilization. There are some standards of dress depending on occasion and venue. I don't want everyone dressed like me, but it's a matter of respect to at least adhere to the local customs.

I was guest on a wedding once where one rebel of a guest came dressed in t-shirt and jeans, while EVERYONE else was wearing a suit or dress. Now, this is just rude and shows no respect towards host or other guests.

I rarely wear a suit for a restaurant, but at least I am trying to look decent. No intention of me to feel better about myself - if I had, I would be happy if I was the best dressed among all of them :)

Haha, I think you've stretched civilization to the extremes there! Civilization means that everyone has to deal with some diversity. Being well dressed no longer means having to wear only a jacket and tie for a man. The standard always was less onerous and more flexible for the fairer sex, anyway. Obviously, no one is suggesting jeans and a t-shirt, either, for such fine dining venues. But there's quite a lot of nice dress for a man that doesn't require a jacket: nice shoes, nice pants, and a nice shirt and belt can do the trick nicely. After all, tailored pants and shirt always will look far better and be nicer than the dolt who wears the ill-fitting jacket every time but adheres to the nonsensical standard of "any jacket will do"!

It isn't a local custom to wear a suit or even a jacket in New York; it's a classist custom for some people and informs on their expectations, however. Despite the ill-fitting jackets I too often see and laugh about. Or the horrible shoes some men wear. (Kill me now.)

Trying to be decent is wonderful, and I applaud you for that! I do the same, despite my expectation to never again dine at a restaurant that requires a jacket. (I get too darn warm and uncomfortable.) I always wear very nice clothing, very nice shoes, and it all fits like a glove. Which makes me laugh at the ill-fitting suits and jackets for those who apparently don't know any better. But I am in no way offended by those. I just laugh that too many think they're better dressed.

The St Regis concierge recently got us our res for EMP...but in the meantime had worked with Le Bernardin to waive their jacket requirement for me. They would not waive it. They insisted that I had to enter with a jacket...or put one of their loaner jackets on after entry. But they were happy to tell me that I could remove the jacket after being seated. THAT is nonsensical and pompous. You have to wear it in but not wear it after that? What is the point? There is no point other than to assuage some classist nonsense.

Fortunately, EMP has no dress code. But I'll be very well dressed...without a darn jacket. Bring on the Zegna!

Thestory about Le Bernadin just sounds laughly. You have to enter with a jacket and may put it out..... I also agree with the ill-fitting suits, I often say: No jacket is better than THIS jacket.... Same with some ties.I only once got in conflict with a jacket policy in Dubai at Burj Al Arab. It´s simply laughly in a city like Dubai. When they offered my a loaner jacket which is for me on one level with staying at a 2 star hotel. I asked if I look like I wear loaner clothes. I also made clear it´s inappropriate to wear a jacket in Disneyland....... When I entered the restaurant (Lunch, no jacket required) many people (non-guests I guess) wear jackets or suits. The quality of the clothes corresponded with the quality of the food - if you call it mediocre you are very generous.

P.S. The Zegna enters restaurants quite often;) A serious hint are their unlined jackets. They are very light and you nearly don´t mention them. And you wear a jacket;)

I like to dress up when I dine but only if the temperature supports it. Ate at The Ritz on an unbearably hot day last year and my only lingering memory is how I suffered through the entire meal in my suit and tie.

I think it's fair to critique something you're paying a lot of money for! But I understand where you're coming from. That meal could be one you shrug off as just satisfactory, while the table next to you will talk about the same meal for years to come. I hope you refreshed your ability to just enjoy your meals!

While I've never stopped completely, a couple years ago I decided to slow it down and now only go to a few top tier restaurants per year. It makes it more of a special event. But I'm lucky to live in Chicago, where we have a lot of excellent restaurants at all levels. It hasn't hurt my wallet either :D.

Thanks - I think I'm ready to start again. Had an excellent meal at Quilon a few weeks ago that started the year off well. I have one and two stars booked for this weekend and I made a reservation at Core in April. Also going to try Outlaws at the Capital in March. Will see how it goes!

The last time I capitulated and dined with a jacket was at Daniel in April 2014--its last year with 3*. I was so uncomfortably warm that I never wore the jacket, and I still was too warm even without it. Of course, the food was outstanding but the wine pairings were pretty poor, so much so that I demanded (not requested) that the sommelier replace two entire pairings! (She had just come from Per Se, which didn't say much to me about wine service there, either, IMO.) I wasn't surprised when Daniel lost a star, naturally. That also was the final straw that allowed me to decide that I'd never again suffer discomfort for the pretense of a jacket requirement.

At Daniel I saw the big collection of loaner jackets. Some kind of club blazers with golden Buttons which I would not even wear when visiting the zoo or bring out the rubbish. I guess they wanted punish people who comes without a jacket..

P.S. Next time you should wear something like this:
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5e90a65fe0.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...229c015175.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...95f3da20d9.jpg
Without question jackets and they didn´t specify which kind of jacket;) Could also find some jacket from my grandpa which he baught in the 70ies and wore last time 2014 or so

@offerendum I would hurt my eyes even in attempting to purchase those, I think. I do have friends who would be interested, though...

I find my choice to simply avoid any jacket requirement restaurants (or those that will not waive the requirement for me when I kindly ask) to be far easier on me...and the eyes. :D

Ok, jacket requirement is definitely not a part of civilization...