Comments for Michael Chiarello | Chef, Vintner, T.V. Host, Sustainable Farmer

Comment on Is a Dress Code a Good Thing? by susan

susan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:51:07 +0000

Been one of your biggest fans for YEARS. Have to agree dress code is still important, was mortified not to be welcomed by Harry’s Bar in Venice because my husband was wearing shorts at lunchtime. Ugh, that bites. However, we don’t relish the thought of getting “dressed” for dinner beyond a good shirt, except for maybe a 31st wedding anniversary . Otherwise, our lifestyle does not involve being “dressed”. For dinner. Why we do lunch and early dinners! We also live at a beach and the difference between the beach and neighboring city is incredible. When I lived there I used to have to “get dressed” to go the grocery store. Having lived in aristocratic Verona, Italy, I, too understand how the Italians dress. Whew. Have to say in all, the “fine” restaurants are reserved for a special occasion and promise I would be “dressed.” Also look at the dollar signs ($$$, $$$$, ETC) to get an idea of a restaurant’s requirements.

Comment on Why Did I Go on Next Iron Chef? by Susan

Susan — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:56:25 +0000

Dear Michael,
Both my husband and I have been fans of you and your show, and we were very pleased to see you participating on the Next Iron Chef. Your appearance made us appreciate your skills, talent, and personality even more! We were really rooting for you and were sad when you were eliminated near the end. Actually, we felt you were cheated out of being in the finals. We didn’t think the elimination process was completely fair. It was also obvious that the producers wanted a female in the finals. You handled yourself in a professional and gracious manner. You did yourself proud!
So, yes, it was a great idea for you to compete in the show. Thank you for your cooking and teaching skills. Thank you, too, for competing in such a respectful way.
Sincerely,
Susan

Comment on Is a Dress Code a Good Thing? by Jon

Jon — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:45:20 +0000

We have become too casual at dinner. I agree that when we dress up our attire that the food seems to taste better. I have been on both sides of the over-dressed/under-dressed situation. Something changed when holes in jeans became fashionable.

If you (or any other restaurant) are going to implement a dress code it has to be clear and concise. All I can say is remember what inspired Phil Collin’s classic album from the 80′s: “No Jacket Required”

Comment on Is a Dress Code a Good Thing? by Steven

Steven — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:47:25 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree that diners who choose to patronize upscale restaurants should respect the decorum of the establishment and dress appropriately. I live in Sonoma and we enjoy the choice of casual dining, but still feel that a night out warrants dressing well. I’m not talking about a suit and tie, but nice jeans and a nice shirt as you suggested, makes both us and I’m sure those sitting around us, more comfortable.

We ALWAYS notice when others are poorly dressed and, it too, distracts us from enjoying our dining experience. We end up commenting the rest of the night about their attire, instead of being able to focus on our dinner. I think addressing the expected dress code on a restaurant’s website is a great idea, or when a patron calls to make a reservation.

Thanks for raising the question and generating some discussion.

Steven M.

Comment on Is a Dress Code a Good Thing? by Kat Carroll

Kat Carroll — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:40:45 +0000

Whatever you do you must clearly communicate your “dress expectations” clearly and with every channel available ( i.e. At the reservation desk.). For example, if your reservation desk told me that the dinner dress code is “Napa style” I would have no idea what that means. Is it like “California casual” or is it some other regional, homogeneous slang term that really cannot be interpreted into a practical guideline.
Secondly, I agree that I feel being dressed up adds to my culinary experience however my husband could care less (althiugh he’d never wear a torn T-shirt to eat out.) He dresses far more casually than most people and I get very frustrated on the rare occasions where we have been treated poorly because of his clean yet casual style. That is a form of prejudice and elitism that should not be tolerated by a restaurant owner. Believe me, he has sat in wonderful eateries in Rome, drssed very casually, and never felt uncomfortable – he’s comfortable and confident with who he is as should you be. If you are letting what other people wear disturb your experience then maybe you need to step back and take a look at your own level of judgments. Take your frustration out on customers who are disruptive and rude, not on people who behave
appropriately and willingly tip well if treated respectfully regardless of their clothing. Frankly, if you have not, in detail,
communicated a guideline for dress then let it go and move on.

Comment on Why Did I Go on Next Iron Chef? by Eric

Eric — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:44:51 +0000

Dear Michael,

I really enjoyed reading your blog post about the decision to go on The Next Iron Chef. My wife and I were rooting for you from day one, and we were so sad to see you go. We visited Yountville on our first trip to the Napa Valley last July, mainly because of YOU. We wanted to visit Napa Style and we wanted to eat at Bottega. Once in Yountville, because of you, we FELL in LOVE with the town and the tasting rooms there. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that you have your own vineyard and enjoyed tasting and buying your wines at Napa Style.

It was GREAT to see you on TV again, and YES we think it was a great idea for you to have gone on the show. My wife, who otherwise does no social media, followed your comments on Twitter regarding the episodes and we were cheering for you each Sunday night. You are a true gentleman and great competitor. You, as well as other celebrity chefs, have done so much for food and for the average person. Thank you for bringing the gifts of food and wine to everyday people, who otherwise would have been likely to miss out on so much joy.

Admiring Fans,

Eric & Jen

Comment on Is a Dress Code a Good Thing? by Miriam F

Miriam F — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:30:08 +0000

I totally agree with you. So yes, dress code should be enforced. Even when you go to a beach resort (anywhere in the world) the restaurants enforce a dress code for dinner or what type of attire is not allowed on their restaurants at any time. For me going out for a nice dinner involves not only going for a nice meal but also the ambiance, customer service and attention to detail from the establishment and staff.
On a side note, I’m very excited to go this weekend to your restaurant for the first time! I hope we would find you there. All the best and Happy 2012!!

Comment on Foodspotting by phil

phil — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:05:06 +0000

I admit taking a photo or two of my meal at Bottega. However I think I won’t do this anymore… the next night I had the steak tartare at Bistro Jeanty. Well it was delicious, but the photo is downright disgusting! LOL! I do however always take a photo of the bottle of wine I drink, that way I can remember it!

Comment on Is a Dress Code a Good Thing? by Christopher Pappe

Christopher Pappe — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:29:06 +0000

Michael,

I rue the times when my wife Marian and I show up in the evening well dressed at a beautiful restaurant in the valley like Bouchon or Bottega and we are confronted by guys in rumpled t shirts and shorts. Especially when I am entertaining clients. It happens frequently and I agree that particularly men have become too relaxed. On the other hand, I wonder if in the restaurant business, we have trained our guests to dress this way. When I started my career in restaurants at Donatello in San Francisco, we used to keep blue blazers in the closet for gentleman that chose to ignore our dress code. Back in the early 80′s it was common for a restaurant to have a dress code. Perhaps we should encourage our guests to dress appropriately, such as — “no flip flops” or like golf courses, collars required. Just saying. Keep up the great work. BTW, I am addicted to your Burrata! Ciao!

Comment on Is a Dress Code a Good Thing? by Peggy

Peggy — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:05:09 +0000

I agree that the man’s dress was unacceptable. There is acceptable ‘business casual’ for men too – nice pants / denims and a golf style of shirt, sandals or a pair of casual shoes (not runners). I live in Canada (and I have dined at your fabulous restaurant) and several of our 4 and 5 star restaurants do have dress codes and they post it on their websites. Dressing appropriately shows respect to your partner, yourself, the restaurant staff / owners and the other patrons / guests in the restaurant. Please put a dress code on your website and door!