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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say no to pizza pasta again?

445 replies

karmakameleon · 12/12/2015 11:57

So I'm trying to arrange dinner with a friend and her family and she's suggested a pizza pasta place. Fairly standard kid food but my problem is that DS (3yrs old) doesn't like it. DS will happily eat Indian, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican amongst other things, so I don't think he can be described as fussy, but just not pizza and pasta.

As you imagine this comes up regularly when we eat out with friends and in the past I've taken the view that DS can have some bread and fill up on ice cream after. But this time I've had enough and put my foot down as I just feel it's not fair on DS to always be the one that can't eat and ends up going home hungry. Also I know that DS really doesn't like pizza pasta as I've offered it to him a hundred times but I'm guessing that my friend's child hasn't tried half the options I've suggested. (The specific places I've mentioned to her all do some mild options in smaller sized portions although not specifically a children's menu.) And if the worst came to the worst, surely her DS could pick at his main and then have lots of ice cream for pudding like mine has had to in the past?

Anyway, the whole thing is proving quite traumatic, she's not taking up any of my suggestions and sticking fairly rigidly to her original choice and I'm getting the feeling that the whole thing is off unless I do as I'm told compromise. So now I'm starting to feel guilty and think maybe I'm being a bit unreasonable as it is a fairly standard choice. But then it's not DS's fault he doesn't like it...

OP posts:
ihateminecraft · 13/12/2015 14:32

Blimey is this still going??

I'll confess I haven't managed to read every post but, aside from the food issue, I don't think any one has suggested that perhaps taking THREE YEAR OLDS to a restaurant that is not traditionally kid friendly is a not a great idea?? At least the chains are geared up for kids and bring out the colouring packs etc to keep them occupied. My kids are considerably older than 3 but we still tend to stick to the child friendly chains so that we don't have to worry about ruining someone's romantic meal if their behaviour is less than perfect!

Also, I'd love to know where this town is that has a Japanese Restaurant but no pub restaurants!

OneMoreCasualty · 13/12/2015 14:51

Good point re colouring pens etc!

WorraLiberty · 13/12/2015 14:53

I'd like to get the two toddlers together and ask them where they really want to eat Xmas Grin

That's if they're bothered about eating out at all.

SauvignonBlanche · 13/12/2015 16:42

Is there a Toddler TripAdvisor page?

TheCrimsonPleb · 13/12/2015 16:51

14 pages and nobody has once mentioned Wimpy. Kids love a Wimpy Bar.

mamaneedsamojito · 13/12/2015 17:10

If she's a friend, just tell her he's not keen and suggest somewhere else. I can't think of a single one of my friends who would insist we go to a restaurant where my DS wouldn't eat anything. Honestly, where did you find these people?

Bellyrub1980 · 13/12/2015 19:13

just trying to picture this child having a tantrum

"no mummy NO! It's not fair! I don't want chips again. I WANT MISO SOUP! Waaaaahhhhh!!!!!"

Lol.

And now imagining my own daughter. Eating the napkin, throwing her food on the floor and rubbing her gravy in the hair of the waitress who kindly picks her toy up off the floor.

Me and you, OP, are just living totally different lives.

I really hope you manage to work it through this dining dilemma!

CassieBearRawr · 13/12/2015 19:15

I was blind with fury at this thread's broken promise of something called 'pizza pasta', but JohnCusacksWife saves the thread at the eleventh hour Grin

originalmavis · 13/12/2015 19:15

Flipping flip mother, do you actually expect me to eat this pig swill? Where's the quinoa, the quinoa you stupid old trout!

Bellyrub1980 · 13/12/2015 19:45
Grin
ThatWasThat · 13/12/2015 20:11

OP, you may have bitten off more than you can chew with this thread

Agadooo · 13/12/2015 20:34

My 6 and 8 year old wouldnt eat anything at a yo
Sushi type place And I don t think 99% of their friends would either-def a compromise needed.

PinkSquash · 13/12/2015 21:41

Xmas Grin This thread is brilliant

thebestfurchinchilla · 13/12/2015 22:01

What about a regular Italian restaurant that serves Italian dishes(meat/fish with vegetables etc)as well as pasta etc.

IguanaTail · 13/12/2015 22:03

She wants her friend to pick a Thai or Japanese to suit her on this occasion.

Bellyrub1980 · 13/12/2015 22:08

I've had a Thai inspired pizza once

#justsayin

FunnysInLaJardin · 13/12/2015 22:08

lol, your son is three Grin

captainfarrell · 13/12/2015 22:12

I think that adults should choose the restaurant. 3 year olds go where they are told/taken to. If it's such a big deal for these 3 year olds it sounds like a nightmare anyway so get babysitters and go where the adults like. Sorted.

Mrsfrumble · 13/12/2015 23:41

Has your friend got back to you yet OP? Their "I'll look into it" was hardly a flat-out dismissal of the alternative suggestions, was it?

If she (or he?) is still wavering, it might be worth emphasizing that Giraffe do pizza and pasta on their children's menu (I should know; with the exception of noodles my children's tastes are depressingly beige). If the friend is still reluctant, I'd wonder if they had vouchers they wanted to use at the particular restaurant as someone suggested up thread, or a similar ulterior motive for their choice. Is it closer to their house? Or easier to park, or on a bus route?

kali110 · 14/12/2015 00:30

I don't think op is boasting Confused
Just because her child doesn't like pizza or pasta and is bored of the usual chicken nuggets etc?
I have always loved spicey food ( spicey doesn't mean hot)
I hate most italian food.
I hate tomato dishes, creamy things are out, anything with fish in, ( bar battered) anything with cooked tomatoes, so i'd hate to go there.
I only ever have pizza from dominoes as they do one with a cheesey sauce in the middle.
I mever ate pizza as a small child.

LilaTheTiger · 14/12/2015 01:52

My daughter had a pizza topped with chips in actual Italy. I sadly can't find the photo, and I'm sure we took one. It was massive Grin

nooka · 14/12/2015 03:28

When we lived in New York we used to go to a pizza place that served by the slice. They had a fabulous pizza with penne pasta on top.

I thought that the thread was going to be about food combinations :)

When my children were toddlers our main concern was places that served really fast and tolerated our children's not always fantastic behaviour. Mostly we left them at home and went out with friends on our own (either me or dh, rarely both of us). dd was very fussy back then too, so we often went to Pizza Express as they did a plain cheese pizza (no sauce) which was about all she'd eat. Now she is a great cook with an excellent palette, I suspect she was a super taster.

GColdtimer · 14/12/2015 03:59

Do 3 year olds really care about food that much? I think your friend is bring unreasonable but I think you are being a bit precious about it. Also most restaurants will do a small bowl of risotto if you ask them so potentially other options.

Nooka my dd is massively fussy and has been proved to be a super taster. You have given me hope!

MidniteScribbler · 14/12/2015 05:22

I wouldn't be going out to dinner with anyone that insisted their three year old should dictate the venue.