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Original poster

Help needed... dinner at the ivy!

218 replies

maz82 · 16/09/2021 13:02

I am going out for dinner for my daughters 21st this Saturday and I have nothing to wear! I have gained about 3 stone over the past year and nothing fits except casual wear that I've been living in. I really need some ideas. Need to be able to order today for next day delivery or I can go in store tomorow. I am a size 18 and very insecure about myself. Really bottom heavy, small waist but conscious of my arms and stomach. Oh and I am 39 if that makes a difference although I've always been quite a young 39. Anyone have any ideas please?

OP posts:
DottyHarmer · 17/09/2021 17:11

“The Ivy is just a chain restaurant serving fairly ordinary food”

I eat out quite a bit and am no stranger to the odd Michelin starred establishment, and I think the food at The Ivy is very good indeed.

Posters such as the above…. Ha ha - you sometimes meet them in real life - always desperate to make out they’re so ahead of the curve and in the know, whilst you, you sad plodder, are definitely so last year …

Finerdetaillondon · 17/09/2021 17:31

Www.alexblackcollection.com for shirtdresses or lovely shirts. Perfect lunch outfit for a chic and understated look. Enjoy it! Xx

KaycePollard · 17/09/2021 17:32

Well as you’re talking about me, I’ll respond. I’ve eaten at the Ivy in London and liked the fact that one of their chain restaurants has opened in my town. But in terms of chain restaurants which offer relaxed but “fine dining” style food (as opposed to Nando’s or the like) I prefer Côte. The style and the menu. the chain Ivy menus are a bit stodgy for me. Too much like my boarding school food …

And actually if I want something that’s even closer to the everyday experience of local restaurants in Paris, I prefer Cafe Rouge. My French aunt (an excellent Parisian cook) actually rates Cafe Rouge for casual French food.

So no, I’m not a snob, just different tastes. And Côte is cheaper, mostly! Which pleases me …

Mumofbear0411 · 17/09/2021 17:45

I went to the original Ivy last month and wore a low priced, comfortable H&M dress that I bought last year but I had my make up done professionally before I went, with false eyelashes and felt really glamorous. Save money on the outfit and get your make up done instead!

BasiliskStare · 17/09/2021 17:49

Last point - I just think wherever you are going - if you like the place it will be nice & ball gowns tiaras and white tie aside there will be people in a whole range of outfits. I have been to Cote - honestly the 2 Ivy brasseries I have been to I preferred that but my experience is limited and someone I know who lives near a Cote prefers that. Each to their own. Cafe Rouge I think is great with what it does but I do think Ivy brasserie or Cote is a little more special ( rubbish word) but I do get @KaycePollard your point - I do. DH DS & I practically kept our local cafe rouge afloat when we were having our kitchen done Grin

Enough from me
I wish OP well & happy birthday to DD and I am sure they will have a lovely time.

gibletjane · 17/09/2021 18:11

I love the Ivy food!

Tooembarrassingtomention · 17/09/2021 18:18

The provincial ivys are like carluccios. Same price bracket. No need to dress up just wear what you want

Tooembarrassingtomention · 17/09/2021 18:19

@DottyHarmer

“The Ivy is just a chain restaurant serving fairly ordinary food”

I eat out quite a bit and am no stranger to the odd Michelin starred establishment, and I think the food at The Ivy is very good indeed.

Posters such as the above…. Ha ha - you sometimes meet them in real life - always desperate to make out they’re so ahead of the curve and in the know, whilst you, you sad plodder, are definitely so last year …

It is cool and chill basically ready meals they heat up
Tooembarrassingtomention · 17/09/2021 18:24

@Karwomannghia

I tend to just stroll in with my muddy boots straight from the field with my gun dogs!

Not really. I went to one in Harrogate for my birthday and wore a dress and everyone else was smart too. I always like to wear something nice to go out to a restaurant! Have a lovely time. Wrap dress sounds good!

I went and the woman at the table near t to me who was very load and gushing about how dab shexwss was wearing a dress I had sent to the charity shop a few months earlier. Know it was mine as I had had it adjusted

I can’t remember what I wore but won’t have been dressy

Tooembarrassingtomention · 17/09/2021 18:25

Grrr
Very loud
Gushing about how fab she was

KaycePollard · 17/09/2021 18:40

I think the chain Ivys work off the reputation of the original Ivy, and they do seem to offer glamorous (if you like that style) interiors and formal device and so on. So some people do dress up. It’s nice to dress up sometimes!

But it’s food I can cook at home basically. And I can’t help feeling the times I’ve gone there (other people’s choice not mine) that the chain relies on people wanting a simulacrum of the “Ivy experience “ and I’d rather spend my money on something I can’t or don’t cook myself. Than be manipulated for the “experience “

(my point about Café Rouge is that it’s unpretentious basic local French suburban brasserie style which is quite familiar to me, not that Café Rouge is terribly marvellous fine French cooking, iyswim.)

BasiliskStare · 17/09/2021 19:04

@KaycePollard - don't get me wrong - our family practically subsisted on Cafe Rouge at one point - love it Flowers - but I can see for a 21st the Ivy Brasserie or indeed Cote might be a touch more special IYSWIM. Maybe not - but it is what OP has chosen & I think they stand every chance of having a lovely time

Mymycherrypie · 17/09/2021 19:31

For anyone saying the Ivy is a chain…. Well yes to come degree. But the orginal Ivy is not.

KaycePollard · 17/09/2021 20:16

That’s sort of my point @Mymycherrypie

But as @BasiliskStare says, even the chain Ivys are good for a special night out. And I totally agree about Café Rouge - good for daily basic eating, but it’s not really an “occasion “ restaurant. (But then I don’t think the chain Ivys are anything particularly special, either - but that’s just me). I’d rather there were a chain Hawksmoor in my town all that lovely meat and red wine …

Mymycherrypie · 17/09/2021 20:19

Hawksmoor is variable as hell tho.

Covent Garden and Commercial Road very low key. Air Street totally different kettle of fish!

XingMing · 17/09/2021 20:23

But this started as a thread about clothes and dressing, not a discussion of food or cooking. Food/cooking is another box. As a PP has started the discussion, by saying it's basic bistro/home cooking, I'd agree. I cook that way at home and by choice I don't bother to eat out unless the standard is better (or at least as good) than I can produce or more labour-intensive than I am prepared to produce for everyday food. For a big event, I can manage (slowly) quite complicated dishes. Plating skills... no......... my plating skills would disgrace a school dinner lady.

DottyHarmer · 18/09/2021 09:14

Well, when we went to an not the Ivy a couple of weeks ago, the food, presentation, service, decor and indeed appearance of the other diners was above reproach.

There really is some unpleasant sneering on this thread. The OP has planned a nice birthday outing and people are leaping on it to put down everything about a very nice restaurant to indicate that they are on some higher plane of taste and experience. Badly done, posters, badly done.

Chewbecca · 18/09/2021 09:27

Goodness me, this thread is catty.

I’ve been to quite a few branches of Ivy Brasserie and really like it. The food and service are consistently good and the decor and ambiance tends to be buzzy and fun.

Current uniform for women seems to be floral dress and white trainers so that would be perfect if you want to ‘fit in’.

I don’t suit the look being too short and chunky and am more comfortable in smart jeans and a nice or sparkly top with extra care on my hair and make up.

Have a lovely time.

Ironicpentameter · 18/09/2021 09:27

@finerdetaillondon - those are lovely shirt dresses. Very chic.

DottyHarmer · 18/09/2021 09:35

Good word, @Chewbecca - “catty”. That’s exactly it! I remember these posters from school… “Are those new shoes, Dotty?” (snigger behind hand) or later on at work, “You’re going to Berlin? Oh, shame it’s gone downhill now….”

ReallyNeedToPrioritiseMe · 18/09/2021 09:40

We’ve been to the Ivy in Glasgow, and it was lovely.

A wrap dress would be very appropriate- dressing up is about the event (the 21st) as much as the restaurant. I’m sure the OP will look beautiful, and will have a great time. They are lovely restaurants.

Shame on posters for spoiling this thread for the OP by going on about themselves and how pretentious they are.

MercedesBenz · 18/09/2021 09:51

Op please come and tell us what you chose
21 ! Such an exciting age for your dd
, enjoy the day ,it is your celebration as much as your daughters , 21 years of parenting , that’s worth a celebration !

DottyHarmer · 18/09/2021 10:53

I wonder, the posters who have been mean… do you really think you are being clever? Do you honestly mean it? Have your no conscience or awareness of being, as pp aptly put it, “catty”?

SocksAndTheCity · 18/09/2021 11:47

I'm not far from the Ivy Asia near St Paul's and the food is lovely (plus the decor is nuts including the green light up floor and pink flowery Ladies room 😀).

If I was going for a special birthday, I would definitely be pulling out all the stops with a fab dress and nice hair/makeup, especially after a year of sitting around in joggers and hoodies. I do agree with 'wear what you like', but as far I'm concerned that goes just as much for ballgowns and diamonds at Tuesday lunchtime as it does for jeans and trainers at Saturday dinner. Have you settled on something yet?

I don't own a tiara, but if I did I would be wearing that too! And regardless of whether my fellow diners are wearing black tie or pyjamas - I have it booked for a post-Christmas treat with my mum and picking things to wear is all part of the fun Smile.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 18/09/2021 11:59

This thread is pure Mean Girls - even if you see the Ivy as akin to popping to KFC or TGIs, the OP has clearly said it’s for a special occasion.

I’ve been to the Glasgow one several times, and have worn leather skirt with fine knit top, midi dress and trainers, jeans and blouse depending on the time of year. Last time there was a very glitzy table celebrating a 70th birthday with women in fancy frocks, men in suits, and kids in party dresses. They did not look at all out of place.

Have a smashing time, OP.