New Dress Code at our nicest restaurant

This is actually a working cattle ranch, built by Reverge Anselmo and his wife, Chicken. You can find reference to him as a Hollywood personality on Google. He has spent millions on a ranch about 20 minutes from here in the foothills. It is absolutely beautiful property and the gardens are exquisite. The chef is darn good. They have a small vineyard, and some very good wines. You see a dog, cats, sheep, horses, donkeys. Nothing is left undone....all buildings, decor, is first class. They have banned motorcycles from coming onto the property just recently. A bad gesture towards the area, as there are a lot of Harley riders who go out on a weekend cruise and have a lot of money to spend eating at the end of the day. I visited their site this morning for more information on a new addition of an outdoor pizza oven being used on Thursday nights. Caprese salads are served with some outstanding sounding pizzas. I came across the new dress code.
I might add that Reverge is fortunate to have Hollywood friends visiting the ranch, staying and eating there.
We have been out many times, food is always excellent, staff is friendly, and well trained. Outdoor patio is great, with a huge fig tree growing up through the decking, and it all overlooks their green meadows, wedding gazebo, gardens, waterfalls, a swamp area, and lawns. It is said the next building is a small hotel. So here is the dress code:
What do you think?
Our Restaurant & Winery Dress Code


The Anselmo Vineyards dress code contributes to the elegance, decorum and dignity of our grounds and applies to the restaurant and tasting room from the time of your arrival. Your elegance is appreciated.


Men:

Collared shirts and slacks or shorts are required dress. Shorts are not to extend below the knee. Jackets are preferred for dinner and after 6pm. Flip-flops are not acceptable anywhere on the premises. Hats are to be worn with the brim facing forward. No face jewelry or exposed tattoos permitted.


Women:

Dresses, skirts, slacks, capri pants, and shorts are acceptable. Tank tops, open midriffs and work-out attire are not acceptable.

Children:

Children 10 years of age and older are expected to adhere to the above rules.

[Jenise]

If they can fill up their restaurant to suit their liking with these rules, and have fun enforcing them, then they can do whatever they want. However, their code for men strikes me as ridiculously detailed (hat brims forward) and unrealistic (everybody has tatts these days, including a lot of Hollywood people and the best chefs in this country). I guess they're not expecting Brad and Angelina.

Sounds very reasonable.

I certainly don't find the code for men as detailed as Jenise - the hat brims line seems to suggest 'certainly no baseball caps back-to-front', and the tattoos rule isn't that big a deal - just wear long sleeved shirts to cover forearm tattoos.

The place sounds very nice. How's the wine list?

I wish more restaurants, especially "high end" ones, would have a dress code along these lines. I know it's a slippery slope but come on, I do not like dropping $400+ for a really nice dinner for two and seeing a guy with a t-shirt on at the next table. At that price/quality, it's not like you can get up and go to the place down the street, especially out in the rural area I live in. Successful restaurants that are that good are not going to go out of business if they implement a dress code, in my opinion.

I don't have a problem with dress codes, and as Jenise can say they can do anything they want.
I find it funny that it seems men can't have tattoos or "face jewelry", but I guess women can? Lots of people have neck, wrist, or other tattoos.
If their object is to be "classy," why not an old fashioned "please no hats indoors" rather than worrying about brim direction?
Do sandals count as flipflops?
So many questions

It sounds eerily like one from PA that was recently featured on Restaurant Impossible on Food Network. It had a million sunk into it, animals, and own winery too. Hope this one fares better. It will be interesting to see what happens in a few years.

Sandals do not count as flip-flops. They are talking about those awful things you pick up at the grocery store when buying your beer on your way to the lake, because you realize you forgot your boat shoes or sandals. I wear sandals out there when I go, especially in summer.
The hat brim must be forward stumped me until Salil mentioned the baseball type caps worn back wards.
Salil, the wine list is small as they only sell three of their own wines, but as I understand it, the vineyard is expanding. They also bring in wines from other places and I don't know about them as I have never looked at the wine list. We only drink their wines, when we go there.

Their Chef John Stadelli, was on a local talk show this morning and I did learn that Reverge does not allow soda pop in his restaurant, only the wine, home made lemonade, water, and I think tea if you ask for it. Reverge will not allow parsley to be put on the pizzas. The chef said he makes his salad dressing two to five times a night as everything must be fresh. The source produce locally and use their own beef in the restaurant.
The tattoo dress code is curious as is the face piercings. Why men cannot have an exposed tattoo but nothing is said about women.

The last time I checked, it's a free country and they can do what they want. But, it smacks of archaic snobbery. Reminds me of old men who yell at kids to keep off their lawns.. They need to be more specific--can I wear checkered shirts with torn jeans? How about mismatched socks? Let them worry about their food and abstain from being the fashion police. I can understand " No shirt, No shoes, No service"..but this is just silly.
Shaji

I'll go along with Shaji on this one. It sounds like a knee-jerk reaction to the sort of styles that younger people go with nowadays, particularly those originally popularized by rap and hip-hop artists (caps with backward brims, men's shorts that go past the knee, etc.). I can understand how they'd not want people in sagging pants and grungy T-shirts in the restaurant, but what about a really nice silk T with a jacket and slacks? That would not meet the letter of the law. And the business of not allowing exposed tattoos is somewhat problematic in a place with outdoor seating and 90+ degree temperatures.

There's no question that they're allowed to set up any dress code they'd like, but I personally find this one a little off-putting. (Doesn't mean I wouldn't go, though - the place sounds great, otherwise.)

[Jenise]

Reminds me of old men who yell at kids to keep off their lawns..

Brilliantly summed up! Yes, that's how it struck me. And, almost as if they had a picture in front of them of someone they didn't like the looks of and then put everything about the guy in their dress code.

I will take this occasion to confess that there have been times I would have appreciated a place banning the raucous, loud narcissistic exhibitionism of a pack of Harley riders. It's not for the bikes; just for their childish need to have their motors so badly out of tune solely so they can make noise to draw attention to themselves.

And in general I agree with 'their place; their rules'. Especially if they can survive. Been my experience, though, that any place for long term survival depends on the good will of the locals and not just visitors and tourists.

I will take this occasion to confess that there have been times I would have appreciated a place banning the raucous, loud narcissistic exhibitionism of a pack of Harley riders. It's not for the bikes; just for their childish need to have their motors so badly out of tune solely so they can make noise to draw attention to themselves.

And in general I agree with 'their place; their rules'. Especially if they can survive. Been my experience, though, that any place for long term survival depends on the good will of the locals and not just visitors and tourists.

It is my understanding that they ( cycle drivers)made too much noise and scared the animals. I can understand this because upon driving into the ranch, depending on the season, there is usually a pasture of babies and mommies calling to each other, or horses quietly grazing. Growing pains are paramount!

I just heard today that two local doctors and their wives rode their bikes up to Anselmos, from Redding,( 20 minute drive by car) which is not an easy drive, lots of uphill. They were refused service because they were wearing what serious bike riders wear. One of the wives played the card, "do you know who we are?" The were seated out on the back patio on a hot day at a table for two. Redding is just not used to this sort of thing. My thoughts...check their website for dress codes before you go. Frankly, I am thrilled they are here, offering great food, a great chef, and jaw dropping grounds. The fact that one can roam around the ranch and visit the animals is another plus. I never did mind change...hoping they can teach our citizens a thing or two about fine dining.
Forgot to mention we are going there tonight for pizza night (only on thursdays) and see the new wood fired oven. I hear it is great! Will let you know.

I just heard today that two local doctors and their wives rode their bikes up to Anselmos, from Redding,( 20 minute drive by car) which is not an easy drive, lots of uphill. They were refused service because they were wearing what serious bike riders wear. One of the wives played the card, "do you know who we are?" The were seated out on the back patio on a hot day at a table for two. Redding is just not used to this sort of thing. My thoughts...check their website for dress codes before you go. Frankly, I am thrilled they are here, offering great food, a great chef, and jaw dropping grounds. The fact that one can roam around the ranch and visit the animals is another plus. I never did mind change...hoping they can teach our citizens a thing or two about fine dining.
Forgot to mention we are going there tonight for pizza night (only on thursdays) and see the new wood fired oven. I hear it is great! Will let you know.

Whatever the dress code, I can understand the business with the bicyclists. Back when I used to ride a lot, I would never have set foot in any establishment more elegant than a coffee house. You're generally wearing a loud shirt, spandex shorts (which leave nothing to anyone's imagination), shoes that make you walk funny and mar the floors, and you're all hot and sweaty. Why they'd expect to get seated at a nice restaurant in such condition is beyond me. If anything, I'd have expected to have been seated at a picnic table behind the dumpster.

If they really wanted to eat there after a bike ride, they should have put good clothes in a day pack and changed into them in the bathroom.

The wood fired oven is on their outdoor patio. Beautiful job of attaching it to the building. Excellent pizzas, great crust, not a lot of ingredients, they are keeping them simple and so very tasty. We orderded a Giovanni which was made with caramelized onions, cut very thin, Italian Soppresssata, mozz cheese. Our friends ordered a meat ball pizza, but the meat balls were cut and flat, also excellent. The chef was delighted to be showing off his new oven.

[Jenise]

I wonder if it was a Wood / Stone oven. That's the brand name and it's very popular in professional kitchens. They're manufactured here in Bellingham and my husband's office used to be above their corporate HQ where a lot of demonstration meals took place--to his complete torture, as he had a corner office with windows into which those delirious aromas would wander.

Glad you enjoyed the meal; I envy you having something like that close by.

Glad you enjoyed the meal; I envy you having something like that close by.

Well, it is truly a diamond in the rough. While Redding is a great place to live and raise children, not to mention a beautiful area with lakes, mountains, and all that goes along with that, it is sorely lacking in places with excellent dining. I am thrilled they are here. the attitude of the owners is off putting to the locals and many will not go there because of this. On pizza night, both owners strolled out to the patio with a couple we know who own a local radio station. The wife is also an entertainer at the restaurant. The owner just stood there, no smile on his face. I complimented him on the new addition and he barely said thank you. I could care less about his attitude. He has done some wonderful things with his money (built homes for nuns, etc) since I am not out there to see him but to partake in the beauty he has created on a fabulous piece of property. The locals who won't go there (but really want to) just need to get over it. Every time we have been out there, it is steadily busy.

My wife's headed up your way for a conference tomorrow. She probably won't be able to get to this place for supper, but I told her about it just in case she can.

I only own one jacket, a leather one. I occasionally need to wear this when the dress code is "Lounge suit or jacket", but it gets removed as soon as I get to the table.

I would rather they went with a "No hats in the restaurant" rule. I object to anyone wearing a hat in a dining room. But a guy in a T-shirt at the next table? I could not care less, as long as it was not ripped and dirty.

No tats? They might have a problem with Tama Iti....

TamaIti.JPG

My wife's headed up your way for a conference tomorrow. She probably won't be able to get to this place for supper, but I told her about it just in case she can.

Is she going to be on Hilltop Dr. at one of the conference centers? C. R. Gibbs is a favorite place for locals. Good drinks, consistantly good food, good service and fun. Don't know about the wine.

My wife's headed up your way for a conference tomorrow. She probably won't be able to get to this place for supper, but I told her about it just in case she can.

Is she going to be on Hilltop Dr. at one of the conference centers? C. R. Gibbs is a favorite place for locals. Good drinks, consistantly good food, good service and fun. Don't know about the wine.

Not sure where she ended up. I just talked to her but didn't hear where she had supper. Probably someplace quick and close to where she was staying. She did mention getting a walk across the Sundial Bridge that she enjoyed a lot.

His wife is named Chicken but tattoos aren't allowed? I prefer more elegant names for women.

Ahem.

Fuck.
That.
Place.

Cheers,
Bill

His wife is named Chicken but tattoos aren't allowed? I prefer more elegant names for women.

Ahem.

Fuck.
That.
Place.

Cheers,
Bill

Don't judge so quickly....please. His wife is called Chicken, however she does have a given name, which I cannot recall at the moment. She is called Chicken, because years ago, when they lived elsewhere, a party was going on at their home. One of her chickens escaped the coop, and family dog decided to eat it. Chicken (as she is called now) rescued the bird, took care of injuries, and the chicken was fine to continue doing what chickens do. Since then, their friends call her Chicken. She seems to like it, and even tho the rest of us find it quirky, so be it. Really Bill, is that language necessary? The last I heard from our local talk show, it that the FCC does not allow such language. Not sure how you get away with it here.

Anyway, Anselmo's It is a really great place to visit, dine and enjoy the beauty of the mountains, and wine. You may want to bring your own wine however, because we are basically country folk, cowboys and mountain men!

My wife's headed up your way for a conference tomorrow. She probably won't be able to get to this place for supper, but I told her about it just in case she can.

Is she going to be on Hilltop Dr. at one of the conference centers? C. R. Gibbs is a favorite place for locals. Good drinks, consistantly good food, good service and fun. Don't know about the wine.

Not sure where she ended up. I just talked to her but didn't hear where she had supper. Probably someplace quick and close to where she was staying. She did mention getting a walk across the Sundial Bridge that she enjoyed a lot.

It is a joy, that Sundial Bridge and our beautiful Sacramento River going right through the middle of town. I hope she enjoyed our city, what little she probably saw of it.