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

[worldgonecrazy]

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.

I enjoyed going to nice restaurants before I had dcs-and I now enjoy it on my birthday and wedding anniversary. Other times I go to restaurants that are more family orientated because thats part of the deal of being a family imo.

To the poster who is concerned about having dcs and how that would effect her holidays/going out time-dont have them.

OP, did you see my links/pasted posts regarding No.6 allowing children in under 4yrs old?

But worldgonecrazy surely it's not hard to realise why places dont want children? And why some diners don't want children around.

Because your children behave most of the time (because no child behaves all the time) doesn't mean others will and places can't have some sort of behaviour test before letting children in so it has to be one rule for all children. Nothing wrong or offensive with them making that decision.

Worraliberty yes I did thanks, I'm just waiting to phone them once reservations opens and see what they say.

Rick Stein's was lovely when I went, but then again it was pre-child, many years ago...

But it is something to ponder. We have been to Cornwall for the past 3 years and due to go again this summer, and I have taken to doing quite a lot of web searches before we go in order to have a stack of preschooler-friendly restaurants that aren't necessarily pubs.

DS (4) ought to be used to formal dining by now - we keep making the effort to have sit-down adult cutlery/plates Sunday lunches so he knows when he really can't get away with using fingers...

But it is as well to have a place where there's a garden. When we went out for a formal meal at a really nice place for my mother's 80th, there was a lawn about 3m away through some French windows. First signs of restlessness in between courses and off we went for a run. He was 3 at the time.

This site is quite good!

My dds like McDs etc but they also like "nice" restaurants. Tbh I think if I discovered that a restaurant made a point of banning children, I would conclude that it was up its own arse and probably not worth going to anyway

Leaving aside the whole debate, can I just ask, 'Ice cream in monkeys' ? WTF?

so your child does not get bored after having dinner, your two year old loves nothing better than to discuss the quality of food and wine of course people expect children to want to play that is what children like to do, that does not mean running around a restuarant screaming (i never let ds do this)

as i have said in earlier posts we eat out often (at least once a week) not all places are family orientatedand we often eat out in the evening (sometimes after 8 ) but i expect ds to behave and he does he is used to eating out but not to behave like an adult because well he is only 4, i understand chit chat after dinner over a glass of wine and coffee is boring for him and him being bored and getting whiny is not enjoyable for me or others

The thing that always makes me go on threads like this, is that I don't think that all these behaviours which everyone is certain all children do are acceptable in any restaurant. Just because the food costs less doesn't mean you should leave your manners at the door. Why should people who can't afford Michelin starred food be any less entitled to eat a meal in calm surroundings?

I take my children out to eat a lot, and used to even more often when I just had one child. I would never tolerate bad table manners, running round etc etc from my children, no matter what food establishment we were in.

After all, a child doesn't know they are in a poncey establishment. Either they can behave themselves in a restaurant or they can't.

Some DCs behave badly and some parents don't do anything about it. Therefore it is much simpler to have a 'no children' policy.

Bellstar I was being sarcastic but thank you for telling me to relieve myself of the stick I thought it was just a lumpy cushion!! Agree calico my children behave at any table anywhere. They do not just go running around after a family meal, be that nuggets or mussels or a KFC.

haven't read the whole thread, but maybe on eof the reasonss they're nice is because they don't allow children? if I were goijg out for a slap-up adult meal, would rather there weren't any two year ols there - plenty of places for two year olds to be taken, and the GPs when the parens want to go to a nice place

I suspect that most places are more relaxed at lunchtime or early evening. Couldn't you go then?

Crikey, does that mean that if my children want to get down from their seats after eating I shouldn't take them there? They are only 2 so not exactly charging about. But I have to say I wouldn't expect them to stay seated, it's just not feasible for the entire duration of a meal at that age.

Well it is if you are a 2 year old who regularly dines at e bulli apparently

El bulli that should read-apologies to those on here who have dined there...

calico you have made a really good point.

Ooops Bellstar that will be my 2 year old then...

Bad behaviour isn't acceptable anywhere, which is why I have no issues with any restaurant not welcoming children, it's a shame so many parents forget not everyone wants to hear their darlings shouting and screaming

You bad Mother Cappy. How dare you bring children up with good table manners !!

I know imnotmymum, it's fucking outrageous really. She, like, eats the food and everything.

Depends London Lottie, do you get down from the table with them & take them outside or do you let them roam whilst you look on adoringly?

LOL. Good question. Ahem. Have to say I think we're pretty good, I do NOT assume people want my children poking them in the ribs while they're eating. We either accompany them to look out of a window/whatever, or take them outside. And come well prepared with crayons and a sense of humour

I expect children to not roam around and to be able to sit nicely for a meal and all the ones I know can and do (occassional blips being normal and unavoidable).
Of course I would expect them to remain seated until the meal has finished (including the adults). I sometimes wonder if people let their DCs wander away from the dining table at home as they seem to think sitting in a restaurant for a meal is an unusual behaviour - surely no different to a meal at home?

I wouldn't expect them to sit through hours of after dinner brandy and chat without getting a bit thrutchy so would avoid that but I certainly wouldn't allow them to roam around. Aside from getting bored if its an evening meal dragging on into the night they are going to get tired.

I also agree the quality of the restaurant should have no bearing on the quality of the behaviour. Racing around MaccyDs is still bad behaviour

Like the garden idea though for longer meals or for the inevitable occassional problem (no child is perfect all of the time)

If mine decided to throw a wobbly during a meal out anywhere he'd find himself outside or in the loos pronto, being timed out!