It is really amazing, the difference between the crowd who dines at 5PM and the crowd who dines at 7PM.
Last night my cousin Anna and I went to Lumiere in Newton to partake of the fabulous Restaurant Week deal. The food was exquisite, easily the best food I have eaten in a restaurant in years. I had a corn soup for the appetizer, grilled hake for the main course and a fabulous peach crostini with ginger ice cream for dessert. They offered a wine pairing with your meal for an extra $15 and I am glad we took advantage of that since the wines they selected were an EXCELLENT companion to each course. Restaurant Week or not, I will definitely be back.
Lumiere had some restrictions on OpenTable.com wherein you could not make a reservation between 6PM and 8PM using that system. Since I get out of work at 5PM and work literally down the street, I figured eating at 5:30 would be convenient. And while it WAS, I could not help but notice the clientele as we were seated.
You will not be surprised when I report that the average age among the patrons when we arrived was in the low 60s, save for a few families with youngh children. Now, I am a believer in the idea that "No Kid Zones", like "No Smoking Zones" should exist in restaurants. I like kids, especially my friends' kids, but when you pay $30 for an entree, you are paying for not only the food but the ambience. And screaming babies and grubby children do not an acceptable fine dining ambience make.
So I was a little chagrined to find that a family containing both was seated right across from us.
I also noticed that people seem to think sweatpants are acceptable casual-elegant attire. And apparently muu-muus are the next big thing in fine dining apparel.
Then at 7PM , when we were finishing up my coffee, women with perfectly applied makeup filed in wearing Pucci shifts and Eileen Fisher pant suits. And men were seated around us wearing Lacoste and Brooks Brothers.
And suddenly all was right with the world. And the restaurant, while lovely to begin with, was made all the more lovlier with the advent of the people who still believe in dressing up for dinner.
So let us recap: Lumiere is a fantastic, perfect restaurant that you should all check out.
But if you go before 6PM skip the black wrap dress and slink into some yoga pants and a tube top. Also get a perm if you get the chance.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
10 comments:
Hahaha! It's because old people eat early. 7 p.m. is usually when they're climing into their pajamas to watch Jeapordy.
You remind me of my gaybo, Ryan, who is regularly horrified by people's attire and/or behavior out in public. He likes to send me pictures as evidence. The last picture I got from him showed to ladies sitting at a Chinese restaurant...with their puppy sitting right on the table the whole meal!!!
lol i take a lesson from my mother who will usually request at a restaurant not to be seated near any children if at all possible.
i should clarify i don't mean at places like Applebees or other "family" restaurants. I mean like at a NICE restaurant. Obv kids have a right to eat out. just not at a place where a glass of wine is $12. :-P
I just spewed coffee all over my desk laughing...that is too funny.
Kim, behold the Muu Muu
http://www.nursinghomeapparel.com/shop/media/F138_big.jpg
As always, great post! My husband and I were just discussing this very topic last night. When did jeans become ok to wear everywhere? I have even seen them in church and at funerals!
seriously. people think that for "business casual" or "casually elegant" occasions, as long as you have on a nice top you can wear whatever ratty jeans you want.
lol i too have made a solemn vow never to muu-muu
what's up with having dinner before 6 pm anyways? that's an american thing LOL... but now you know why you shouldn't go at that time... ;)
seriously, what are some people thinking?
well that was basically my point..that a restaurant crowd at 5:30 differs a lot from the crowd at 7:30 :-) and no matter my preference to dine in child-free zones..when it comes down to it i am always a believer that people should look good and do what they want, babies and adults alike :-)
Post a Comment