Gourmet Family Stores over Finicky French Ones

          Last night, I ate at a restaurant called Henrietta's Table. The place was decorated plainly and the restaurant's slogan, "Fresh and Honest," was displayed proudly at the front entrance. When I walked inside, photographs of pigs, beans, and happy children and greeted me from every direction. To me, this restaurant represents the change in style restaurants have undergone as described by Brooks in Bobos in Paradise: "There weren't any interesting food stores [in the past]. And there certainly weren't any restaurants with casual-sounding names like Teresa's; instead, they had imposing French names like L'Auberge. But now it is the formidable French places that have had to adjust."

        Because Bobos prefer not to flaunt their wealth, they seek out casual-sounding restaurants versus formal, fancy ones. Although the atmosphere might be different, however, the prices still remain quite high. In the past, the high prices were a way for upper class members to prove their place in society and show that they could afford to purchase expensive foods. Now, however,  the high prices are viewed as an acceptable trade-off for the benefits customers receive by dining at such a restaurant. Henrietta's Table, for example, emphasizes its support for local farmers and its organic ingredients; both of these qualities attract Bobos because today's society now emphasizes "reflected wholesomeness," "more casual food," "less pretentious names," "family and community," and "Upscale Suburban Hippiedom". Bobo-influenced restaurants appeal to costumers through support for local products, good intentions, charity donations, and friendly atmosphere, rather than stuffy atmosphere, formidable names, and condescending attitudes. 

        At the bottom of the Henrietta's Table menu was a notice that "In support of Haiti, Henrietta's Table is using Haitian Products to assist in the growth of their economy." This choice to use Haitian products makes the restaurant's dishes more expensive. After all, the products are now being shipped from Haiti rather than from closer farms. However, this choice to support a devastate country appeals to Bobos and is thus an acceptable reason for higher prices. The ideal Bobo eatery is not pretentious or finicky. Instead, it must have healthy, local roots. At Henrietta's Table, the menu proudly informs customers that all vegetables are locally grown and that the restaurant makes a large effort to support local farmers. Statements like these prove to Bobo costumers that Henrietta's is all about "family and community" and in today's society, this type of ambience is what Bobos are looking for.