21 Club Kicked Us Out
On Friday night, my boyfriend and I had reservations at 21 Club. Despite the fact that their Restaurant Week menu was fairly hum-drum and of course didn’t include their $30 burger–which is really the whole point in going–we decided to give it a shot simply because it’s one of those classic New York City restaurants you always see in programs like “I Love Lucy” and in movies like Rear Window.
You’ll note that both of these examples are from the 50s and should have tipped us off as to what sort of attire would be required of us, yet neither of us thought a thing of it when Kamran donned a pair of perfectly-pressed dark blue jeans. Kamran’s a fashionable guy and is usually seen sporting anything from plain wool trousers to sensibly plaid slacks, so this departure into casual jeans was a welcome one.
As soon as we walked up to the door of 21 Club, I sensed that I didn’t belong. I’ve eaten plenty of expensive meals with Kamran at this point, but I still feel like an Ohio farmgirl, and I think it’s obvious where I come from with everything I say and do and wear. So when the coatcheck guy stopped us a foot inside the door, I wasn’t surprised. When he said Kamran was the reason we had to leave, I was shocked. Kamran asked if there were any exceptions to the no jeans rule, but he wasn’t holding any bribe money when he said it, so we were sent on our way.
Now, I’m all for restaurants that keep riffraff such as myself out for the enjoyment of other, richer patrons, but Kamran was lookin’ fiiiiiiiine that night in a navy-and-orange-checked button-down in honor of his Princeton alma mater and a navy sweater vest that I bought him as an early Valentine’s Day gift. If ever there was reason for exception, I think a navy blue sweater vest is that reason. You?
When I told my best friend, Tracey, the story of our sad restaurant rejection, she said, “Don’t they know who Kamran is?” No, no, they don’t.
24 Comments
gooroo
I think he looks pissed but otherwise fine. But then I’m an Ohio farm hand, so what do I know? Which is essentially why I never bothered to move from here, or give a cow crap about Club 21.
plumpdumpling
As a fellow farmhand, you know plenty. Which is why I am also not giving a crap about 21 Club anymore.
Kim
Um, boy looks FINE. Per usual. I love dress codes though, because every day I wish I were more elitist than I already am.
Your blogs are making my LIFE at work lately. I have not been to this one before. Drooling, now.
plumpdumpling
Yeah, I mean, obviously had we known about the dress code, he would’ve worn a white jacket and some ridiculous-patterned pants to stick it to them while still allowing us to eat there, but we just didn’t know those places still existed.
Your blog is making my life, as well. I might have to pimp it over on Unapologetically Mundane today.
Kim
Yeahhhhh PIMP PIMP PIMP! Obviously I am never giving up on my dreams that someone will eventually discover me and pay me 7 figures to spew wordcrap at them all day. All for which I need readers. YOUR READERS.
I love making people’s lives.
Anyway. Can we go out to eat cheesy fried brain matter or something when I move back to NYC (hi, my future readers, that’s 7/1/2010 – you’ll understand once you become a regular at my blog). Kamran can wear the above-described outfit. We can wear our periwinkle bridesmaid costumes. Dresses, I mean. Obviously not really. I will outfit us in things I shouldn’t have afforded.
plumpdumpling
I’ve been in two weddings since then, so we can start out the night in periwinkle, but I’ll need to change into either the maroon strapless with the ridiculous rhinestone clip at its side or the black tulle number that I had to have my neighbor back home add a panel in the side to in order for me to fit into it the day before the wedding. Very classy.
My readers are coming your way as we speak.
Heesa Phadie
I hate that…I mean I understand that they have to hold the line…but I hate when people become robots to rules and can no longer reason for themselves. That’s too bad. What they fail to realize is that little Ohio farm girl and her fiiiine man have more sway and influence than just a regular diner and will lose business because of it. Oh well.
plumpdumpling
Or it’ll make everyone want to go that much more, just so they can say they got in and I didn’t.
spaghedeity
kamran should have snapped his fingers and gone all queer eye on the coatcheck guy’s fashion-ignorant ass.
also, i’ve been meaning to say: let’s read jonathan safran foer’s new book together and discover why i think you’re satan for going to all of these anti-life restaurants.
plumpdumpling
Seriously, you should’ve seen this guy. I mean, Kamran has to wear business casual to work every day, but he has style.
I was actually thinking about reading that book. You know Jon’s my guy, anyway, and all of the interviews I’ve seen and read with him about the book have made it seem like he’s more curious than militant. The only thing I worry about is being too affected by it and not wanting to eat meat anymore. Ignorance is bliss when it comes to the things I reallyreally like.
Tracey
My answer was Obvs. Justsoyouknow.
plumpdumpling
Thank you. I was going to make the two answers “obvs.” and “no”, but I was worried people would get confused. You don’t know how many times a day I have to explain that one.
Serial
Those people clearly don’t get how hot and classy people can look in jeans. Darn denim jeans, high heels, and a fitted jacket? Tres sexy.
(Also, did you see my new site? I’m trying to compete with you for number of blogs penned. Or keyboarded, I guess. It just doesn’t sound as good.)
plumpdumpling
Oh, yeah, you can’t tell in the photo, but Kam’s wearing 6-inch Louboutin’s.
Where did you announce this new site?! I check DIW, Facebook, and Twitter but can’t find it.
Serial
That was supposed to say dark denim, not darn denim. Though I’m sure that’s what the coatcheck boy thinks every night, being so stodgy and square to actually swear.
plumpdumpling
Oh, you better bet he was a coatcheck man. Though I was about five inches taller than he was.
Serial
Sorry, coacheck MAN. Also: Did I put a typo in my correction of my original typo? Ahem. “Too stodgy.”
Eff.
Bachelor Girl
SCREW 21 Club. It can kiss its place on “HORK IT DOWN 2010: Kel’s Gustation Tour of NYC” GOODBYE. Kamran looks so hot, it’s all I can do not to lick my laptop screen.
Everyone knows exceptions to dress-code rules should be permitted when offenders look AWESOME.
plumpdumpling
Words like “hork” will also get you dismissed from 21 Club. So sorry.
I’m sure Kamran is licking this comment as we speak.
Niko
That makes no sense in this economy. Damn, I won’t be going there anytime soon. Are you going to post any pics of the DBGB sundae? I’ll link to on DessertBuzz :)
plumpdumpling
Oooooooh! I’ll get on it and let you know when it’s up.
Esther
If it makes you feel any better, you didn’t miss much!
I went there a couple of weeks ago for restaurant week. The food was good but not spectacular or anything! Plus, I felt like I should at least be 60 years old to fit in there. I was with some coworkers and the waiter asked us where we went to college. hmm…
plumpdumpling
That does make me feel a bit better. I can forgive, I guess, but I WILL NEVER FORGET!!
Did you ever go to Tavern on the Green? I felt the same OMG-I’m-the-youngest-person-here feelings that you felt at 21 Club, but like 21 Club, it was one of those totally New York places I felt like I just had to try once. The college assumption is a really weird one, though.
P.S. I love the way you frame the photos on your blog!
Alfagirl
I like that places still do this, and I’ll tell you why. The other night I was at Carnegie Hall and a young woman sitting near us was wearing sweatpants with some word written all the way up the side of the leg in large letters. Next to her was a guy wearing jean shorts and a baseball cap. I was really offended. When you come to hear really beautiful music to me it spoils the mood when people act like they are at home in front of the TV. I mean, would it kill someone to put on something nice once in awhile when they go out?
I agree that certain jeans have become more high fashion with the pricing, fancy washes, etc., but if they let Kamran in with dark denim and someone else came in wearing Wranglers with the waist and length clearly labeled over the belt loop, where do you draw the line?
I’ve occasionally been able to use travel passes when flying to/from NY on United. The way the passes work, if there is a seat available in first class you are automatically upgraded for free, but they will only allow you to upgrade if you are dressed appropriately and that means no denim. It’s an interesting rule because those who paid for their seats can wear whatever they want, but those who get special treatment have to follow special rules. I say it’s worth it. If I get to fly first class on a trip I’d dress in black tie if it would get me that seat.
I think it’s nice that there are still places that exist where there are some rules. I wouldn’t dare go to the opera in jeans, even nice ones. Fancy clubs and bars are different then fancy restaurants. Also, NY is one of the best places in the world to dine out. Shouldn’t we show our gratitude by fancy-ing it up once in awhile? When you go to a place like that, you want the chef to make you feel like you are the most important couple dining there. If you are paying $30 for a hamburger, wouldn’t you want it to be one of the best hamburgers you’ve ever eaten? Alternatively, can we blame the chef/owner if they want their patrons to also look their best?