A Smart-Casual Age

“This is a sign of the times," proclaims Richard Harden, co-editor of Harden’s UK Restaurant Guide 2008. "Smart-casual is the order of the day. You already see it in London – the only people dressed up in restaurants these days are people on business or provincials up in town”¹ (to my mind, placing a dashing feather in the provincial cap.)

“The rules of fine dining have been turned upside down,” echoes Valerie Elliott, Consumer Editor for Times Online¹. “There is no longer any need for dressing up or a starched tablecloth, and eating out in British restaurants is now officially an informal occasion.”

Yes, forever gone are the days of formality; let us brace ourselves (yet again) for the “active”, "rugged”, “sporty”, “dressy” and “business casual” mob. Nevertheless, here hopefully I remain, always dressing for dinner, even at my home.

Is it because I am a Snob and know how to use the word "hopefully" properly? Yes — for while eating is a necessity, Dining is an Art.


¹ Source: Dress for dinner? How provincial (Nov. 5, 2007) by Valerie Elliott, Consumer Editor for Times Online.