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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be annoyed that none of the nice restaurants in Cornwall allow children?

149 replies

worldgonecrazy · 13/03/2012 11:20

Actually I'm more annoyed with whichever parents/children from hell combination made them come up with the policy.

Do any Cornish mumsnetters know of any nice/fine dining restaurants that allow young children at lunch time? DD is 2 years old.

OP posts:
imnotmymum · 13/03/2012 12:39

Bellstar it is the experience of eating in a nice restaurant and the different food on offer and kids love to try something new and mine do have discerning tastebuds as we have took them to nice restaurants since babes in arms.

Sirzy · 13/03/2012 12:40

I don't think anywhere like that should have to take children.
Some people don't want to have children running around when they are eating, some restaurant owners don't want to cater for children - that is their choice.

I would much rather take Ds to somewhere that is happy to have children than somewhere who accept them because they feel they must.

WorraLiberty · 13/03/2012 12:41

Only if you print off an online voucher Catgirl Grin

OrmIrian · 13/03/2012 12:42

I do remember one restaurant outside St Ives that had a big notice on the door along the lines of' Only well-behaved children allowed in this restaurant. And we do not offer child portions or extra plates' At the time we had 2 littlies and I remember thinking they must have had some hideous experiences to stick a broomstick so far up their arses.....

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 13/03/2012 12:44

OP I would ring a few places and see what they say.

Or Fifteen in Watergate Bay could be your fallback, we took DS1 there when he was 11 months.

I am really surprised actually, we've taken the boys to starred places (not in Cornwall admittedly) and they have been welcomed with open arms at lunchtimes.

imnotmymum · 13/03/2012 12:46

Is it just me or are the references to children running around restaurants slightly offensive?? Why would children run around do they all run around their dining room at home whist eating ???

cluffyfunt · 13/03/2012 12:46

Is Hully trolling again?!

Won't someone please. Think. Of. The. Children. Sad

Pooka · 13/03/2012 12:46

No6 in padstow (Paul ainsworth) definitely takes kids (or did last summer). And is delectable! Mmmmmm. Much better than 15.

Bellstar · 13/03/2012 12:47

Toddlers enjoy the ambience of fine dining?-my arse. Yes you are right about kids enjoying new tastes-must remember that when am stocking up on nuggets and fish fingersHmm

Pooka · 13/03/2012 12:47

Oh - kids tht were taken to no6 were 5 and 7.

Took 1 year old to 15.

Original poster
worldgonecrazy · 13/03/2012 12:51

imnotmymum I agree with you - I find it offensive too. DD may not be able to fully appreciate haute cuisine but she knows that it is a special occasion and will happily tuck into everything she is given to eat.

alibabaa I was surprised too, especially when I tried other places in Cornwall/Devon and was met with the same response. It's never even crossed my mind in other places, DD has always been welcome at lunchtime, and even in a couple of places, early evening.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 13/03/2012 12:52

Bellstar, although I agree with you on the ambiance thing and personally think somewhere more relaxed is better for young children, I have a 2 year old who loves trying new foods, but refuses point blank to eat nuggets/fish fingers etc

EdlessAllenPoe · 13/03/2012 12:53

the Bayview in Bude is nice. and has playground and does ice cream in monkeys.

imnotmymum · 13/03/2012 12:54

Well my kids do enjoy a nice restaurant perhaps it is because we have taken them out since little that they do. And yes I would stock up on other things rather than nuggets etc kids do actually like to eat other things you know ??

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 13/03/2012 12:56

Oh my, is this going to turn into Revies II: The Restaurants? Grin

cluffyfunt · 13/03/2012 12:57

I don't like the Bayview in Bude and I'm not sure the playground is open ATM.

FreudianSlipper · 13/03/2012 12:57

why is it offensive that some may think that children run around restaurants its a differnt experience to eating at home how many of us sit around the table for an hour having dinner

that what most will want to do, they will not want to sit there and discuss the food and wine they eat get bored

ds is well behaved but he behaves like a child once he has eaten he wants to get down from the table play that why i take him to restaurants where he can do this not have him sit there bored just so i can enjoy going to a particular restaurant its not fair on him, me or others

Bellstar · 13/03/2012 13:02

I ws being sarcastic re the nuggets/fish fingers ffs-if you removed the stick from uo your arse you might have got it.

My dcs eat pretty much everything as I enjoy cooking and always cook from scratch. They would not however be happy to sit in a restaurant where you have to be on best behaviour the whole time because they are kids.

Chandon · 13/03/2012 13:04

The mention of kids smearing food in their hair and running around in a fine dining restaurant brings back memories...

We were in Italy (where else) and went to a super smart restaurant with our 1 and 3 year olds (let's say it was not a clever decision). The one year old ended up smearing spaghetti in his hair, the 3 year old gave up on cutlery and stuffed teh delicious food into his mouth with his hands Blush. We were horrified and tried to get them to behave a bit better.

At the table next to us, two elderly gentlemen were having a leisurely lunch. One of them came over and said: "Young man, I have to talk to you" to my 3 year old who was eating spaghetti with his hands. "When I was your age, that is exactly how I used to eat spaghetti! It is the best way. Enjoy it". The waiter was helpful and brought us a hand towel and a bowl of water to clean them up.

Because of the positive attention we all relaxed a bit more, and lunch went fine.

I am still grateful to that man, as I could have cried for how stupid we were to take them there at all. Saying that, having lived in family friendly countries with family friendly restaurants has (eventually) taught our kids how to behave in a restaurant and now we can take them anywhere.

Are you sure Jamie's 15 don't allow kids? We have been there. An alternative is to ask the hotel (if you are staying in one) for babysitting service?

SaraBellumHertz · 13/03/2012 13:04

This drives me mad when we visit my parents in Devon- the vast majority of restaurants don't allow children in the evening.

I'm not mental I don't have much interest in taking a weaning 18 mth old to a fine dining establishment at 9pm but I see no issue with a baby asleep I an infant carrier or taking my 7 year old out for dinner.

Floggingmolly · 13/03/2012 13:04

Why do we want to take children to a Michelin starred restaurant anyway? Because we can
Well, actually...

There's a very good reason you're having such difficulty accommodating a 2 year old. Most people who leave their own children with a babysitter to enjoy an meal in adult surroundings don't want someone else's toddler in their face all night. Apologies if your little angel is in fact perfectly behaved, but the majority are not.

Original poster
worldgonecrazy · 13/03/2012 13:05

freudian in the week mealtimes are about half an hour, at weekends they're an hour, always around the table, except for one day a week when we have a carpet picnic/pizza.

It's offensive to presume all children run around restaurants making a noise. If I had a child who was unable to behave appropriately, I certainly wouldn't be planning on inflicting them on other diners. I guess it's the implication that I would do so that is offensive? I apologise if offense is being taken where none is intended.

OP posts:
Chandon · 13/03/2012 13:07

Freudian, I don't agree completely. I think it is good for children to learn to sometimes fit in with adult wishes, and not live a 100% kids orientated life. They have to learn that sometimes they take a back seat. Even if it is boring.

It is a life skill to cope with being bored IMO Wink

PeppermintPasty · 13/03/2012 13:09

Elements in Bude welcomes children and it's ok for the area. It's not as posh as it likes to think it is though Smile

TartyMcFarty · 13/03/2012 13:11

I'm a little confused. This is the same Mumsnet on which the general concensus seems to be that if a couple choose not to invite children to their weddings (for similar reasons, I'd imagine, as some fine dining restaurants choose not to admit them) that's a reasonable and understandable choice.

I'm not saying I agree with the policy; it just seems a contradictory position.