Le Gavroche tomorrow. What do I have to wear?

[DeanR32]

Evening all

So as I'm at the above restaurant tomorrow night, I wondered what the dress code is. Can I wear a pair of jeans and a shirt? It does say smart casual, and dinner jackets required. I got like a tweed jacket with patches on the elbows. Will that do?

As you can tell, I don't do this too often!

Anyone been lately? How was it?

[castex]

Smart casual and dinner jackets required is a contradiction in terms - it's one or the other. Wear your tweed and give them a challenging look.

[DeanR32]

What the hell is a dinner jacket anyway? I'll be taking it off as soon as I get through the door!

[castex]

Our American friends call it a Tuxedo.

[JxT]

Jacket is required.

You cannot take it off during the meal.

[CAPP0]

Le Gavroche website said:

Smart casual. Male diners are required to wear a jacket

So, I read that as you have to wear a jacket (and they'll be meaning a tailored jacket, not a Superdry zip-up), and probably jeans are OK but you need to be wearing proper footwear. And then I found this:

A receptionist at Le Gavroche in an article Googled from the Wail website said:

‘A jacket is required for gentlemen but a tie is optional. We have jackets should a customer need one. We do not allow people into the restaurant wearing trainers but denim is allowed.’

So there you go. Jeans, (not ratty or ripped), shoes or boots (leather), a decent shirt and a your tweed jacket will work.

[Bullett]

You know that dream where you go to a party and everyone points at you and laughs and you look down and you're naked? This is the effect you will get if you dress down for such a place. Wear proper trousers.

It's very very French, excellent service, great food. I didn't really like the signature Soufflé but that's a personal opinion.

[Bursar]

JxT said:

Jacket is required.

You cannot take it off during the meal.

I found this out. My wife was getting a little chilly so I was going to give her my jacket to cover her shoulders. I hadn't even got the jacket off my own shoulders when I asked not to remove it.

Explained the situation and a few seconds later my wifes jacket appeared.

[DeanR32]

Thanks for all your replies.

I cannot wait to get there tonight, but I must say, I think I'll get irritated wearing a jacket to eat. I can't see that being comfortable.

I'll report back tomorrow of my experiences if anyone cares. Although I'm sure it'll all taste great with my unsophisticated palette.

[Halmyre]

If I turned up wearing just a jacket do you think I'd get in?

I remember a story about someone (possible Peter O'Toole?) being refused entry to somewhere because he wasn't wearing a tie. Ten minutes later he strolls up to the entrance wearing a tie. And nothing else.

[Stuart70]

Two condoms and a diver's helmet...

[lauda]

Bursar said:

JxT said:

Jacket is required.

You cannot take it off during the meal.

I found this out. My wife was getting a little chilly so I was going to give her my jacket to cover her shoulders. I hadn't even got the jacket off my own shoulders when I asked not to remove it.

Explained the situation and a few seconds later my wifes jacket appeared.

Is it just me that finds this a bit OTT? I can understand them not wanting people to turn up in shorts and t-shirts, but not allowing your paying customer to remove their jacket if, perhaps, they are feeling a bit warm, seems ridiculous.

[Arun_D]

Enjoy. We were there on Saturday night for the girlfriend's birthday. Had the 8-course tasting menu with matching wine, which was a great experience.

[GCH]

Its a great restaurant...the tasting menu especially. Their lunch used to be outstanding value as well.

You just need a jacket (as in suit jacket)- not a dinner jacket (tuxedo)- you are not required to dress like james bond.

As others note you are required to keep your jacket on, much like most places in this day and age with similar stupid outdated dress codes.

[Output Flange]

lauda said:

Is it just me that finds this a bit OTT? I can understand them not wanting people to turn up in shorts and t-shirts, but not allowing your paying customer to remove their jacket if, perhaps, they are feeling a bit warm, seems ridiculous.

It is. But at the same time, it's also reassuring old-fashioned, and I like that.

OP: enjoy - it's great there.

[mattdaniels]

Output Flange said:

It is. But at the same time, it's also reassuring old-fashioned, and I like that.

+1

[Heff]

I got stood up there once, nothing to do with the restaurant, but one of the worst evenings of my life!

[G600]

Heff said:

I got stood up there once, nothing to do with the restaurant, but one of the worst evenings of my life!

Did she see you and leave?

[Shaw Tarse]

mattdaniels said:

Output Flange said:

It is. But at the same time, it's also reassuring old-fashioned, and I like that.

+1

Me too.
It's pointless, but part of me likes to see standards maintained.

[Bradgate]

Restrictive dress codes are outdated, snobbish, pretentious and silly. Le Manoir seems to prosper with a 'smart casual' code, and The Fat Duck has none.

Perhaps Mr Roux should bring his establishment into the 21st century?