The Prime Rib requires a jacket for men.

I wish there were more restaurants that required you to dress up. I don't get to eat at them very often, but sometimes it's nice to have to get all dressed up for a night out. And it feels more special to me if everyone is required to do it as opposed to you being there in your fancy clothes while the people next to you are sitting in khaki pants or even jeans and a polo shirt.

I'm pretty sure the Prime Rib still has a dress code

I hope things have improved some. When I had dinner at Pazo this summer, I noticed a small sign up front that alluded to proper attire being required. No firm rules, but a suggestion that diners should try to look at least a bit spiffy. But the man at the next table dining in denim shorts and sneakers wasn't my idea of spiffy. I'm pretty laid back about things (and was just wearing a casual linen skirt with a cotton shirt and sandals, myself), but really? Denim shorts on a grown man at a "grown-up" restaurant?

Let the shouting begin . . .

The only one I know of in the area is the Oregon Grille

As far as I know the Prime Rib still does, except on Thursdays (or something like that).

I'm just happy when guys take their baseball caps off, or at least turn them so the bill is in front.

To see a grown man with a baseball cap on backwards is kinda sad. Unless he's on a bike or something and doesn't want it to fly off.

I always thought it was funny when places (The Prime Rib) made men without jackets wear the ugly "house" jacket.

I personally love getting all dressed up and it is dissapointing when you are in the LBD (little black dress) and everyone else is in khakis and jeans. I never get to dress up anymore anyway because my partner is NOT a dresser upper. So dress code places are off the list.

I'm not sure if I'm seeing more people dress up for dinner; however, if that is the case, I'll offer a theory. Perhaps the economy is pushing people off the margins. That is, those who could just afford Pazo last year have been bumped down to Olive Garden, and those who could have just afforded Olive Garden last year are now bumped down to Taco Bell.

Of course, this thought assumes a relationship between money and decorum, which considering the exploits of people like Paris Hilton, may well be a flawed argument.

I always get a strong urge to follow the men's dress code in those kinds of places.

RoCK - I think your Paris Hilton thought is flawed in this regard. She gets paid boatloads of money for being exactly like she is.

Interesting topic...

We are planning on going to Chameleon Cafe for the first time and are unsure about the dress.

For me, it all boils down to one question: "Can I wear jeans?"

Restaurants have to take part of the blame, for going along with formulations like "dressy casual" and "business informal". I have no idea what those mean.

I do not like to dress up. I am a jeans, nice shirt and shoes type of gal. This is what I am comfortable wearing. I feel pretentious when required to "dress up" - be it for professional purposes or any other occassion. Individuals really should spend their time on something meaningful, such as reading the Bible to learn the real meaning of life instead of complaining about their dining companions "not good enough "wardrobes.

I could say something about finding the real meaning in life in the Bible, but I won't.

A few thoughts:

I think I would blame the host/hostess on duty at restaurants that are not "hard core" about the dress code, like the Pazo example with denim shorts.

A weekday "Business Casual" outfit has become too uncomfortable or "its the weekend, I want to relax" for a Saturday night evening dinner date and being asked to "dress up" has come as an affront to many people.

AMS - as long as you don't wear a baseball cap or denim shorts you'll likely be fine at Chameleon. I can't say I've seen the latter, but I saw the former on Valentine's Day(!) about four years ago.

NotableM - glad you were able to put down the bible to comment.

For me, it all boils down to one question: "Can I wear jeans?"

That's my life motto. Well, more like "Can I wear jeans and/or flip-flops?"

Granted, when going somewhere "nice" I will do dark jeans and heels, not flip-flops. But if I could, my whole wardrope would consist of nothing but tank tops, jeans, and flip-flops. Maybe a sweatshirt or long sleeved t-shirt.

Even as a little girl, I never did understand the point of playing "dress up". I would cringe when mom would come after me with tights and a dress. I never did wear panty hose. I flat out refused and still do to this day.

I love to dress up on special occasions and go to a nice restaurant. There's just something about getting dressed up and being in beautiful surroundings that makes a special occasion even more special.

The bible tells us we shouldn't mix fibres (no cotton/poly blends, for sure). It also mandates head coverings.

I've yet to see biblical dress codes at a restaurant. Even the glatt kosher deli I used to frequent in Brookline, MA only checked pockets and purses for trayf.

AMS, jeans are fine at Chameleon. I've worn them there, usually a nicer pair (newer, no hanging threads, etc) with a nice button-up shirt.

I'm still searching for someplace where I can wear my lime green speedo and a fez

I'm not usually one to dine in the fancy restaurants, but I've noticed that no matter where I go, and no matter what I wear, I will invariably be better dressed than someone in that restaurant.

Carey,
You would fit right in down here in the Panhandle.

RayRay,
You would too, during Spring Break.

Claude, stop picking on me!

PCB Rob
Let me give you a visual------
I'm in my mid to late 40s, 30-35 lbs overweight, with a gray ponytail.
GACK

Okay, now I'm pretty sure that RayRay is another one of OMG's personas!

You caught me Dahlink, but I must kill him now because of the gray ponytail.

RayRay,
I only said you'd fit in down here with that speedo and fez is because on spring break, people wear the most outlandish things. Or very little clothes at all. And some of the visitors are not in the best of shape either.

But yeah, that visual, GACK!

I think people would dress up more if the wait staff were better or at least more uniformly attired.

For example, I used to think of Henningers as more of a special occasion type place but the last time we were there, the guy who was waiting on us was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. (We were eating in the bar.) Even a white shirt and black jeans would be better than that. The folks at Chameleon do take it up a notch. That said, I think nice jeans and a pretty top/sweater would be fine there for customers.

Jeans? Nobody over thirty should be seen in public in jeans unless you're a farmer. That means you Mom.

I wish the Ting Tings would leave my brain please.

Clearly Owl Meat is bored with himself and has created RayRay. Or maybe the tingtingitus in his ears is driving him mad. RayRay, wasn't that the name of Steve Martin's character in the movie Baby Mama? The grey pony tail, his continuing obsession with Tina Fey. Yup, that's him.

eeek! Mom Jeans! Run!!!

Humpf. I thought the RayRay moniker was a reference to Ray Lewis. SHows you what I know.

Not sure that RayRay is an incarnation of Owl. Unless Owl used to hang at the old Hamilton Tavern and Wilkens House/Brannan's Pub!

RIP Tim!

My husband was working out at his gym one day when Ray Lewis came in with a personal trainer. Ray didn't seem too keen on working on, but the trainer coaxed him with "Come on, RayRay ...'

I quit wearing jeans years ago. My wife won't let me leave the house in my comfortable jeans on account they give me "old man a$$" And I won't wear the jeans she approves of on the account the waistband digs rather tight, leaving behind what could be mistaken for a c-section scar.

RoCK, time to hit the gym perhaps?

RoCK - take the wife with you, and go to store that has all types of Levis. There's got to be one that feels comfortable to you and doesn't give you "old man a$$" or a c-section scar! They make so many different cuts there's def going to be one that's right for you.

Those of us who don't like getting dressed up during appropriate occasions would do well to remember Mark Twain's quote: "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society". Ours has leaned a little too far toward casual and our manners and taste have taken hard hits because of it.

RayRay is my gang name.I'm a member of the crips(short for cripples due to my many aches and pains). Our rival gang is the blood clots. I have a crystal metamucal lab in my shed. :-)

Last time I ate there (January 2007), The Prime Rib still required a jacket for men.

Sorry to say this Owl Meat GreenGenes, in Arizona plenty of people wear jeans to even the nicest of restaurants - even the 50 year old cougars.

Jeans are actually a step up down here, the norm being distressed cargo shorts.
Today could have been fleeced-lined pants-it was in the mid 60s but a 40mph wind off the bay made it quite nippy!

"it was in the mid 60s but a 40mph wind off the bay made it quite nippy!" - Fl Rob it was just above freezing here and, for what seems like a month -raining. Be happy with your weather! The weathermen began the verbal threats of the "winter weather threat" and the "ice" about a week ago. I'll be so glad to see spring! (BTW - as you probably know, no winter weather, and very little ice).

In my mind, I'm sitting on Lincoln road, sipping a cappucino and people watching. Aaaah. Retirement, some day!