Refused a table at restaurant for having kids

[marissac]

I'm thinking of going to my local news paper to name and shame this restaurant, but would like your wise opinion on it before I do.

Today was the eve of Chinese New Year, my friends decided we should have lunch at a certain Chinese restaurant in Canary Wharf to celebrate. They et extremely busy at lunchtimes so I phoned ahead to make a reservation. Greeted by the maitre d with usual formalities, asked me what time I would like the table for etc. Then when I said it was for a party of 4 adults and 3 kids he paused. Then proceeded to tell mr they were fully booked for lunch today and that they will jot be able to fit us in AT ALL (which was strange since he was asking for my name time and phone number just a minute ago). Then I heard a female voice in the background say that there is a table free until 2, to which I immediately replied I'll take it, we will be done and your table vacated no later than 1:30.

Lo and behold this male waiter then said "don't take this the wrong way, but many customers have complained about noisy children during lunch like it's a party. We get a lot of business people here at lunchtimes. We don't mind children on the weekends, just not during the week." (please note these aren't his EXACT words in the exact order)

I could NOT believe what I heard. And to paint a clearer picture, this is our local Chinese restaurant which we have frequented roughly once a week for the past 3 yrs. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. I will sure be taking my business elsewhere, but would like everyone to be aware of the appalling attitude and service. My kids are never rowdy or unruly, yet they are being talked about like they animals that should be left on a leash tied to a lamppost.

Sorry for the rant. I'm still fuming. Do you think it's worth going to local press? Thanks for listening and for any input.

There are no restaurants near me that don't allow children that I know of. More's the pity

I mean - I don't know of any restaurants near me that don't allow children. Not specifically children that I know of. Feck.

I wouldn't have tutted at you slhilly so you would never have known but I would have thought you were very silly to let your baby crawl around on the floor when there are people carrying hot food and sharp objects.

It's not very fair on the waiting staff to make your child an exciting obstacle course. I hope you left a massive tip.

like they animals that should be left on a leash tied to a lamppost.

at no time did the maitre d say those words- he said that they had had complaints about noisy children.

i was actually with you until you did this

I just wouldn't frequent somewhere that children were not going to be made welcome.

I wnet out on sunday for a meal and about 10 chidlren ranging from 4-10 years old walked in and through the bar into the restarant - you would never have known those children where in the place.

yet police men in a restarant have been known to upset just about everyone in a place I used to work with their loud abusive behaviour

and when we had the Market research people up form London on their business meeting and they upset everyone on the 2nd floor for aroudn 4 hours on a Sunday night...dope smoking and drinking and we had to charge the firm 1000 to give out to the disturbed guests

I wouldn't blame the restaurant, I would blame the many parents who think it is okay for their kids to turn the place into a playground for their duration of their visit, tearing around, banging into the backs of people's chairs, in and out of doors leaving them wide open so customers have to eat in a draught. And don't start me on the parents who eat stolidly on while their baby screams and roars in his pushchair or highchair, and just ignore the annoyed looks from other diners. It is because of ignorant morons like that, that so many restaurants do not welcome children. It is unfortunate, because of course there are lots of polite parents who make sure their children behave or are taken out. But unfortunately, restaurant managers can't tell that by just looking at them so often just tar all parents with the same brush.

haven't read the thread, but am looking for somewhere to vent - and this seems perfect. Having had to endure a tube train full of screaming, shouting kids on a school tour, I'd ban 'em from planes, restaurants, the lot if they can't be quiet.
sheesh what happened to kids being seen and not heard.

thats very polite LeQueen - mud kitchen talk is always very ripe

i suspect that those of you criticising slhilly have probably not been to the restaurant in question. her experience is similar to mine when i took a 1 year old many years ago. they are completely welcoming to children at lunch time - and there is a ban on children at dinner time (I think). i doubt her child was in anyone's way - it's very spacious, the staff ratios are such that no-one appeared rushed off their feet - there was no rushing anyway (including in the kitchens since we were invited in for dd to choose some icecream). needless to say it's extremely expensive - but genuinely enjoyable with and without children.

YABU

Their restaurant, they are entitled to set their own rules. Sorry but at the end of the day, it's a business and if they get more custom from business people then they're going to put them first.

Go somewhere else! It's hardly a big deal. There are loads of good restaurants that happily take children.

I used to work in the city and take the children up to have lunch with dh a couple of times a year.

Dh always makes it clear when we book that we are bringing two children. We discuss it with them and may ask for a particular table or booth. It also helps that dh is able to say ' my children don't shout, throw things or get up from the table unless to go to the toilet'

We always get a table and usually sit where we like.

People who don't teach their children basic behaviour do everyone a disservice. It is the reason many people don't want to be seated near children.

We were out for lunch a few weeks ago and poor old ds2 had a horrible time as the table behind us had three children between about five and eight who shouted, ran around the table barging our chairs and smacking the back of ds's chair everytime they got up.
Grim

Op if you write a letter and get it published in the newspaper - have you considered it may backfire and create far more business for the restaurant

Sorry, I wouldn't want to take people for a working lunch to a place with lots of children. Many people are working over lunch, and some restaurants cater for that market.

Sorry you felt pushed out because of the children, but people have different needs in different circustances, and do children ALWAYS have to come first?

which one is it so i can make a reservation? a restaurant with no kids? i know campsites that don't like single sex groups because they want to be family feeling rather than singles on a night out. that is also fair enough.

so long as there are places to suit both family groups and adult only hurrah!

Zukie
Then you are very lucky.
We eat out with the children all the time and see children wandering around the table or shouting etc regularly.

If you are in a noisy place that is casual I don't mind so much. But I was at Pennyhill Park for my anniversary a year ago and a couple at a table near us had four children who were jumping up and grabbing around the table playing games, shouting at each other about ds games and one boy was on the floor rolling toy cars across the floor.

Tbh if I go somewhere nice late in the evening and there is a table nearby with bored looking children I tend to ask if I can sit somewhere else. They may be fine but babysitting is rare for me and I don't want to risk it.

Sad isn't it?

Its just basic common sense not to let kids roam free in restaurants. Anyone who thinks its acceptable or in anyway sensible because its not the wacky warehouse needs to get real quite frankly. Kids roaming are a hazard full stop and if you cant be bothered to control them take them to a playground, not a place that has many hazards to small children.

I don't even like well behaved children in restaurants somtimes, if I've gone out with dp or with friends.

Having a table with children next to you when you've organised a babysitter so as not to be with your own is a bit like having your boss sat on the next table.

Make of that what you will

some business men/woman behave in a totall awful way and also complain about the most rediculos noise - the noise from clearing a tray of glasses from the machine onto the shelves is not that bad - get a conference room

OP your children may very well be beautifully behaved but sadly a lot of children are not, I for one do not like having to put up with children tearing about, making noise, crying and being a pain if I am out for a nice meal.

IvyKaty, yes! It would encourage me to take business contacts there.

I happily take the (well behaved, mostly) DCs to many restaurants, but would understand about not taking them to weekday lunches in very business areas.

I am not a child hater, my life as a mother and my life as a working woman are different and I can see the needs of both. If I go to a relaxing spa I dion't want children (being perfectly nice children enjoying themselves) dive bombing int the plunge pool, if I go out for cocktails I don't want toddlers clinging on to my tights as they cruise round the room. I want to do business in adult, concentrated calm environment.