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Original poster

To ask if you have ever eaten at Le Gavroche.....

137 replies

ThatThingYouDo · 29/12/2018 18:56

......and what did you wear??

A relative has kindly bought me and my husband a dinner at Le Gavroche.

We're not posh, and tbh the height of luxury for us is dinner at Prezzo (yes really!).

It's apparently a very expensive,
Michelin starred place.

I don't want to embarrass myself or stick out like a sore thumb, so any suggestions on what to wear would be brilliant. Thanks!

OP posts:
Novia · 29/12/2018 22:10

Yes - a few times for different reasons. It's my favourite restaurant anywhere. It's gorgeous, old-fashioned glamour with fabulous food and very attentive staff!

There is a different mood depending when you dine. The lunchtime set menu is fairly casual but evenings tend to be more formal. Cocktail style/suit/frock is more than enough. No jeans or trainers...

Enjoy - I'm very jealous!

GenerationSnowflake · 29/12/2018 22:22

It's my favourite restaurant in town! It's so lovely, but not outrageously posh, not pretentious or too fashionable. It's quietly comfortable.

I honestly never thought of what I was wearing, business type clothes I guess. Look at the "tayloring" pages in Next, something comfortable and office appropriate is enough. Shirt jacket for men, dress down Friday chinos are fine.

It's a restaurant, of course don't wear trainers or army boots, but no one cares if you wear flats.

Again be COMFORTABLE! It's not your wedding, no one will take photos of you, you want to enjoy the food not be unable to breathe and only your top half is really on show when you are sitting.

The food is amazing, have a lovely time. The wine can reach astronomical levels, that's when it's never wrong to check the price of the bottle before ordering. The Gavroche is lovely, they won't stick you with a several-thousand-worth of wine, but your partner shouldn't be worried of casually checking.

CardinalSin · 29/12/2018 22:36

Smart, but don't feel like you have to be formal. And above all, enjoy the meal and experience, don't worry that you shouldn't be there or any rubbish like that. Ask for what you want (the chef there should be more than capable of adjusting the dishes to suit your tastes) and you have just as much right to be there as everyone else, so just enjoy the experience!

pinkcardi · 29/12/2018 22:52

I went years ago, it was fabulous. I thought it was luxurious but relaxed, not stuffy or too formal.

I wore a dark dress, opaques and heels as I'd come straight from work. DH was probably in a suit but no tie.

If the passion fruit soufflé is on the menu it is by far the best pud I have ever eaten, astonishingly delicious. Please please order it.

xsahm · 29/12/2018 23:02

I have, I would notice someone overdressed or underdressed (eg evening gown v denim) but anything else in the middle fine as long as you feel good. I don't think your heels can be too high or jewellery too sparkly if you want to dress up an outfit, but other than that anything smart / casual is absolutely fine. If in doubt a nice cocktail dress always fits in, a blazer for men

WhatwouldCJdo · 29/12/2018 23:06

I don't care what you wear but please please do a full report on what you are and if you exploded from over eating.
What a fabulous present.

PurpleFlower1983 · 29/12/2018 23:07

What a fabulous gift! Xmas Smile

Original poster
ThatThingYouDo · 29/12/2018 23:09

WhatWouldCJDo 😂 Yes I will, I promise!

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 29/12/2018 23:16

Wow! Lovely gift - I’ve been once and it was absolutely delicious.

I don’t ‘do’ smart so I’d have worn black trousers, nice top and ballet flats with a pashmina or wrap (standard going out outfit for me). DH wore a shirt and casual blazer iirc, and maybe chinos?

Suit is overdressed for those places unless going on a work dinner.

Merryoldgoat · 29/12/2018 23:18

I found my bill the other day (horrifying) and we had 4 Kir Royale’s each when we went - they were delicious and I highly recommend them Grin

Merryoldgoat · 29/12/2018 23:20

@Keepingthingsinteresting

I really liked the fact I got the menu with prices because I booked it - I only realised when DH couldn’t work out what anything cost 😂

nokidshere · 30/12/2018 00:24

Fantastic place. Relaxed, friendly and professional. Smart casual or dressed up is fine. The food is fab, service excellent and not a hint of stuffiness or snobbery.

Enjoy

verite · 30/12/2018 01:19

Been once - was amazing. I agree that it is at the more traditional end of fine dining, especially for London where most (even ultra pricey) restaurants are pretty casual. I wore a black dress and heels. The cheese soufflé was incredible by the way!

RemindMeToMoveTheElf · 30/12/2018 01:30

I was there about ten years ago. My last memory is of feeling quite overwhelmed: it was slightly too hot, and there was an enormous display of lilies with a strong scent, which put me off my food. The food was very rich, and would have been delicious if the room and air had a lighter ambience. I remember feeling a bit nauseated and I’d have preferred a dinner rather than a heavy lunch.

yellowsun · 30/12/2018 01:47

We went for DH’s 40th in the summer. We had a lovely time and enjoyed the excellent service and Frenchness.

We had the tasting menu with wine matching. It wouldn’t be somewhere I’d spend all that money to go again but it was certainly a very special evening and DH loved it.

I wore a dress and heels and DH wore a shirt and chinos. We arrived looking a bit of a mess as it was one of the hottest days of the year. We were very appreciative of the air conditioning.

I’ve attached our menu and wines.

I am relieved to hear that the menu with the prices goes to the person who made the booking. I had assumed this was an outdated sexist thing!

To ask if you have ever eaten at Le Gavroche.....
To ask if you have ever eaten at Le Gavroche.....
TSSDNCOP · 30/12/2018 01:57

Yes and I met Michel and Monica

I’ve only had dinner. Last time wore gold and black trousers, black top and jacket with black heels.

Warning: don’t eat for many hours beforehand it’s very decadently rich

KenAdams · 30/12/2018 02:08

We dressed up a bit and looked massively out of place! Everyone else was much more casual than us (smart casual though).

MsPavlichenko · 30/12/2018 02:15

In Scotland so just clicked link out of curiosity. Dress code fairly relaxed. Wheelchair users. Not so much. Up through the back ( assuming chair fits lift). No toilet either in restaurant.

Bubbinsmakesthree · 30/12/2018 08:23

Oh lucky lucky you! I’ve been a couple of times for special occasions and it is really wonderful!

As a pp said it used to be a requirement for men to wear jackets until fairly recently and they still DO have a specific dress code unlike many ‘posh’ restaurants in London - so it is a touch more formal (I remember eating at one high-end restaurant in London next to a couple of American tourists wearing shell suits and trainers!)

At Le Gavroche, for women any kind of dress or office appropriate separates would be fine. I see what was meant by “high court divorce outfit” - basically a bit smart but not overly dressy (so not a full-on cocktail dress or similar). If I was going tonight (how I wish!) and had to grab something from my wardrobe i’d go for a shift dress I normally wear for smart meeting at work, heels and a chunky statement necklace.

For men a shirt would be a must, jacket would not be at all out of place.

It is quite formal but friendly and they are totally used to people dining for special occasions who are out of their ‘comfort zone’, so don’t worry, you’ll be made very welcome.

Have a wonderful time!

underneaththeash · 30/12/2018 08:42

I've been a few times, it is quite smart. Last winter (during the snow) I wore black trousers and sparkly top and boots and then changed into heels when I got there.
In the summer I'd wear a nice dress, something similar to what you'd wear to a wedding but more muted tones.

billysboy · 30/12/2018 08:56

I have been a couple of times , I took partner there for first proper date

Just enjoy it smart casual no jeans or trainers and you wont go far wrong

The staff are fab and the food incredible

WeeM · 30/12/2018 09:21

I’m so jealous, would love to go there. What a fab gift. Please do report back when you’ve been!

TrickyD · 30/12/2018 10:01

DS1 took us there for DH's birthday. We all had the 8 course tasting menu, DH and DS had the meaty one while I had the veggie and DIL enjoyed a vegan version They were very accommodating about these variations. Don't miss their signature cheese soufflé.
It was a cosy room and the staff were numerous and lovely.

WaterOffaDucksCrack · 30/12/2018 10:30

Something like that for me would be a once in a lifetime experience so I'd definitely go all out and dress up! I can't imagine why anyone would find it "cringey" just because other people have decided to make an effort!
Wear whatever you like as long as it is smart/casual at a minimum. Can't go wrong with a dress and stilettos!

GenerationSnowflake · 30/12/2018 10:45

It is a bit cringey because it shows that you are not comfortable in that environment.

If you are happy with stilettos and a dress, go for it. I personally would prefer to wear a smart but very loose top so I could enjoy the food without worrying I leave the restaurant looking 6 months pregnant!