AIBU to take a 17 month old to Nobu for Lunch?

[BornToShopForcedToWork]

It is my birthday soon and my friend from China will be in London for two days on a business matter. I would like to go with her on my birthday to Nobu for Lunch, not dinner. Do you think I am being unreasonable to take him with me? He is always well behaved in restaurants as long he has something to eat .

I've just googled - it's a chain and looks like Pizza Express - take him!!

If you always take him out to restaurants I don't really get why your asking now? Is Nobu ultra posh? I take 18 month old DS anywhere I want to eat if that helps? but the poshest has only been Jamies Italian

Not at all. I took DD when she was younger, similar sort of age. Go for it and Happy Birthday for then.

I know that some restaurants mind if you take children with you. I have been many times to Nobu and just saw children once and i assumed they were allowed in because they father is a famous football player.

@bugger: i take him to children friendly restaurants and i didnt expect nobu to be one.

Ring and ask them then?

I took DH for lunch to Nobu in London for his birthday.

We took our children albeit a lot older than yours, but there were certainly smaller children in there.

I've taken DD3 to Nobu, Maze, Murano, Gavroche and many more. She's now 3½.

When we lived in Spain she also came to El Bulli and Arzak. They positively squealed when we brought her in and did special tasting menus for her. It was fab.

Hi Bella

Maybe most people don't bring small children because of the price, rather than because it's not child friendly? Ring the restaurant, ask what their child policy is. Lunchtimes should be fine.

I did laugh out loud at "looks like Pizza Express", I couldn't help myself!

Steer clear of the broom cupboards/stairwells and you'll be fine ;)

Hahahahaha Nymia!

Actually, whenever I've taken DD3 to some of these places she has a bowl and tries a bit of everything that all of us are eating. I am never charged for her. They love seeing an enthusiastic toddler chowing down on weird and wonderful goodies.

Oh Frank you have been to some of my most favourite restaurants. How lucky to get a table at some of those, you must plan I think or be someone famous?

Frank Oh good, I'm looking forward to trying that with a small child soon then! I have to say that Murano especially struck me as being fabulous, DH took me there for our anniversary this year when I was six months pregnant. The staff couldn't have been nicer, pointing out pregnancy-friendly dishes, changing ingredients for me when I picked something that may have had, say, blue cheese or something, and bringing me cushions as soon as we were seated. I've been to most of the others in the last few years of livin' it laaaaaarge in London but Murano is one of the only ones I'd go back to.

Hey Frank

DS1 and DS2 (as well as DH) adore sushi/sashimi.

IDontKnow - she is famous! And I am staying with her in two weeks time!!

Frank, we need to talk restaurants as DH usually takes me to London in Feb and I said I would like to go back to Tamarind, but if you could recommend some others, that would be fab.

Murano is fucking awesome!

IDontKnow which ones do you fancy. It's not as impossible as you think to get in. I happen to know the owner of one very well, so that helps me there. And the sweary one lives next door to a good friend of mine so I may be guilty of pulling strings....

If you like Tamarind then I'd suggest you consider Quilon on Buckingham Gate - really fantastic and there is a bar a couple of doors along that is SO your kind of place!

Also, you must try The Square on Conduit Street, again I know you would absolutely love it. If you've not done Ramsey's, then you ought to think about that too, and Murano.

OMG, the menu I have just looked at looks fantastic.

I had no idea that was Angela Hartnet's gaff. I love her!

It is one of the finest places I have been too that's for sure.

The Square is great and I really liked that, it's owned by the same people as The Ledbury which is wonderful too, and a personal favourite of mine. The Ledbury is the Notting Hill restaurant that made the news in August last year for its kitchen staff emerging with rolling pins to defend diners for rioting thugs!

It's the only starred restaurant I've been to for a repeat visit so far, and would/will go again.

They're not THAT difficult to get into, fifteen minutes on OpenTable and a shortlist of three or four places and you can usually find something. The set menu lunchtime deals can be really good value too.

Have just looked at The Square and Quilon's menu. I am in seventh heaven.

They look amazing.

You obviously know me well Frank... "a bar a couple of doors along that is SO your kind of place!"

The Square is just one of the most fabulous all round places I've been to. Quilon's food is sublime, and they have cloudy bay sauv! The bar just along was the longest bar in Europe until the champagne bar at st Pancras opened. Quite simply the finest cosmos I have had anywhere. Also the restaurant at the back (Bank Westminster) does awesome brunch. Very nice hotel as well - crowne plaza Buckingham gate. Spit from buck house.