From hopeless romantics to star collectors, the Instagram account “The Jaded Euro” offers an insight into an exclusive microcosm — serving up a satirical overview of haute cuisine.
Between artfully arranged plates, soft lighting, and quiet conversations, a world of its own unfolds in a three-star restaurant. Precision and perfection are palpable; every course is part of a carefully composed evening—and every diner a story in themself.
The Instagram account “The Jaded Euro” observes this specific phenomenon precisely. The creator behind the account calls himself a professional people watcher. His posts are like miniature sociological studies, capturing life among status symbols, privileges, and the quirks of refined taste.
The idea struck him at the art foundation “Fondation Maeght” in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, in the south of France. There, he saw artists’ sketchbooks with short annotations depicting people. “I loved the idea of capturing fleeting types of people,” he tells Falstaff. “So I started doing the same for the sphere I am familiar with.”
In one of his latest posts, “The 7 diners you’ll meet at a Michelin 3-star restaurant”, he identifies seven types of people you can always expect to find in a three-star setting—a satirical social overview blending haute cuisine, vanity, and genuine passion for food.
This type of person dines to “collect” Michelin stars and talks to chefs extensively, so he can brag about it later. Professionally, he’s a senior principal at a pharmaceutical boutique consultancy. He orders the full degustation menu, paying special attention to the house specialty. The next day, he posts his “achievements” on LinkedIn, while his colleagues congratulate him politely.
She photographs her meal for Instagram stories, aiming for a “casual wealth” feel and cropping out her companion. Outside, she’s a disillusioned woman in her mid-twenties who's active on dating apps. She orders caviar, truffles, and wagyu without pretending to reach for her wallet when it's time to pay. After dinner, she thanks her date, kisses him on the cheek, and later shares her photos with the next admirer.
This type of diner seeks to impress on a first date. He’s typically a wealthy man in his 30s who believes money makes up for a lack of charm. He orders the degustation menu and a hard-to-pronounce wine to flaunt his knowledge. In the end, he hails a cab, escorts his date to the door, and drives home alone after a polite kiss on the cheek.
Why he's here? Because it’s Friday, and he regrets not having spent enough time with his family in his prime. A retired CEO, he moves between meals, backgammon, the infinity pool, and the sauna. He orders Krug Vintage 2011, the surprise menu with extra caviar, and a 2016 Château Cheval Blanc to pair with red meat.
She has done her research thoroughly and traveled here specifically for the experience. A young professional from Singapore, she dines with her boyfriend, ordering the full degustation menu with accompanying wine. She adds the off-menu poached pear dessert highlighted in last year’s reviews and spends the night at a nearby Relais & Châteaux before moving on to the next destination.
They’re commemorating 20 years of marriage. A happy couple with a daughter, a cat, and a freshwater aquarium, they leave menu decisions to the waiter. After dinner, they walk to the car hand in hand; he jokes about being overdressed, she remarks that diners used to be dressed more formally fifteen years ago.
