Are restaurant dress codes to be taken seriously? (Charlotte: home, casino)
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DH and I ate at Bonterra's in South End last night and had a really great experience. It was truly a nice date night - something we don't do nearly enough!
The food was phenomenal, portion sizes were appropriate, service was attentive, everyone was friendly, etc. It really was one of my better dining experiences in Charlotte.
Our reservation was for 8 PM. I mistakenly told DH that the dress code was business attire. I thought that's what I had read somewhere on either their website or a site where reviews are made. But, I decided to take another look this morning and it appears that the dress code is actually business casual.
DH actually wore a suit - jacket and tie included. I wore an appropriate dress. As soon as we walked in, DH gave me "the look". We were overdressed. He said, "I knew I didn't need this jacket and tie." Then he took off both. All around us there were people in blue jeans, skirts barely below the women's behinds, cleavage - you get the picture. Even the bartender, a very attractive young lady, had on a black lacy dress that left nothing to the imagination when she bent over and DH remarked that the lace and brevity gave her the appearance of being clad in lingerie.
We're not prudes. DH is very blue collar in all regards. But I was surprised as this wasn't at all what I expected of a restaurant that bills itself as "elegant dining" and "upscale". We enjoyed every bit of our meals from the starters to dessert. But, I know DH would have been even happier and more relaxed if I hadn't insisted that he unnecessarily put on a full suit.
DH and I ate at Bonterra's in South End last night and had a really great experience. It was truly a nice date night - something we don't do nearly enough!
The food was phenomenal, portion sizes were appropriate, service was attentive, everyone was friendly, etc. It really was one of my better dining experiences in Charlotte.
Our reservation was for 8 PM. I mistakenly told DH that the dress code was business attire. I thought that's what I had read somewhere on either their website or a site where reviews are made. But, I decided to take another look this morning and it appears that the dress code is actually business casual.
DH actually wore a suit - jacket and tie included. I wore an appropriate dress. As soon as we walked in, DH gave me "the look". We were overdressed. He said, "I knew I didn't need this jacket and tie." Then he took off both. All around us there were people in blue jeans, skirts barely below the women's behinds, cleavage - you get the picture. Even the bartender, a very attractive young lady, had on a black lacy dress that left nothing to the imagination when she bent over and DH remarked that the lace and brevity gave her the appearance of being clad in lingerie.
We're not prudes. DH is very blue collar in all regards. But I was surprised as this wasn't at all what I expected of a restaurant that bills itself as "elegant dining" and "upscale". We enjoyed every bit of our meals from the starters to dessert. But, I know DH would have been even happier and more relaxed if I hadn't insisted that he unnecessarily put on a full suit.
Business casual means anything goes.
Unless they specifically require jackets, they're probably not going to stop you. I know Cosmos cafe doesn't allow sneakers, and I've heard of other places kicking folks out for wearing shorts, but it really just depends. All in all, most places in charlotte i don't think really care what you're wearing.
You seem to be asking two questions. One of them is whether restaurant dress codes should be taken seriously. My experience is that these dress codes are just posted to keep out the "riff raff." I remember seeing a sign on the door of some place or other in a rough part of (another) town saying "collared shirts ONLY!" I had on a t-shirt! So I was afraid I was going to get thrown out if I even dared to set foot inside without a "collar." I walked in and no one cared. Lots of people had on t-shirts. I think what these dress codes are trying to do is prevent people who would be likely to start trouble from coming into an establishment.
The other question you seem to be asking is why skimpy clothing for women is considered to be consistent with a place that bills itself as upscale. My answer is simply that this is the style nowadays. Upscale and sexy are no longer considered two different things. Just go to the most expensive places Uptown and check out what the women wear. As a young guy, I am a big fan of these fashion trends myself. LOL. But I realize that it's not everyone's cup of tea. I'm just saying that I don't think that you should be surprised.
i think Bonterra is awesome as well. op, sounds like you had a great night! yes sexy is sometimes confused with trashy. but in my experience at this restaurant, they are all about class. great service and food regardless of dress.
lets face it ,hard economic times are not over altho some have seen worse. i think, in most cases as long as the customers are neat and and have some sort of "pocket" on their attire ,deep pockets preferred to hold lots of cash for spending in the restaurants, you are most likely to be welcomed to dine and your restaurant of choice will be happy to serve you.
on that note, I have seen customers turned away from cosmos, ballantyne location.
Yes, dress codes should be adhered to. But evidently, restaurants are just so happy to have the patronage, they have lowered their standards.
It is one reason I don't enjoy dining out in this town. Fine dining and a special evening out doesn't equate to being surrounded by slobs and waited on by someone who looks like she is a waitress at a casino. It just ruins the ambience. But that's just me. I am one of the few who believe that grace and style are as important to a fine dining experience as white linens and a good wine list.
As indicated, I mistakenly thought the dress code was business attire not business casual. Had I known in advance it was business casual, I would have chosen different attire for myself. But I must say, it appears even business casual means absolutely nothing.
We will definitely return to Bonterra, we will simply be dressed in a more comfortable manner.
As indicated, I mistakenly thought the dress code was business attire not business casual. Had I known in advance it was business casual, I would have chosen different attire for myself. But I must say, it appears even business casual means absolutely nothing.
We will definitely return to Bonterra, we will simply be dressed in a more comfortable manner.
I hope others will be dressed a bit more appropriately . . . it really does irk me when I want an evening out to be "special" and I feel let down. I could stay home and be grubby.
I agree - seems folks enjoy dressing in sloppy/grubby attire in these days (here in Charlotte). I don't get it. I travel and don't see this in other cities. People who are dressed as you describe are typically in bars or fast food restaurants . . . I have never run into a situation where people were "dressed down" except in Charlotte.
But I must say, it appears even business casual means absolutely nothing.
I agree w/you. That has more to do w/laziness or slopiness of people.
I go out to restaurants and see people dressed like slobs.....whether its girls dressed like hookers or guys in t-shirts or just sloppy in general.
It tells you alot about a person...
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