Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published October 31, 2005 Click here for the current edition Katrina Casual Three weeks ago, I had my first post-hurricane dinner in a local restaurant at Andrea's. They got some water, but had already ripped out the wallboard and carpets and were well along--although not finished--replacing them. To match the construction-site look, the wait staff was dressed as if they were hanging around the house. I particularly recall the maitre d' wearing denim overalls and a hunting shirt. That was hardly unique. Restaurants around town still have staff those uniform--if they even have one--consists of something like a special T-shirt, and whatever else they want to wear. With good reason: many of the waiters and cooks didn't have any clothes to wear, having lost them in the storm. And the restaurants were often unable to get sufficiently quick linen service to keep up with napkins and tablecloths, let alone chef's jackets. Since the restaurant people are dressing down, they can't expect their customers to maintain a higher level of formality. And in restaurants all over town, regardless of the loftiness of the cuisine, golf shirts rule. Even T-shirts, on many of the customers. I don't think it's time to sound the death knell for dress codes yet, through. Last night at La Petite Grocery, about a third of the men wore jackets, and about half of those wore ties, too. (Including yours truly, of course.) However, there's no doubt that one of the lasting upshots of the hurricane will be a lasting lowering of dress in restaurants around town. I do not voice regret; you can't fight the market. Indeed, I like it. It will make those of us who continue to wear suits stand out even more. © 2005 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com