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AIBU?

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Original poster

Thrown out of restaurant for bringing newborn baby

687 replies

toddlermom · 10/11/2019 13:39

Hi all,

Just need to vent and wondering if I should complain and if so who to. We went to one of my (ex) favourite London restaurants (Amaya) last night (wearing 5 week old baby in cloth sling, as I often do).

Walked in, got to our table, I took off my jacket and went to sit down but the waitress stopped me and said I couldn't sit down and had to leave the restaurant as she could now see (that I had taken off jacket) that I had a baby and 'children aren't allowed in the restaurant". I said it was a baby - who was asleep - and unlikely to wakeup - and she said it didn't matter, they don't let any children in the restaurant.

The manager came over, said the same thing, they were really, really rude and unfriendly. Didn't say sorry or sympathise, empathise in any way.

They don't have any social media presence so I can't even tweet them and vent on social. I could write a letter to the owner? Or is there anything else I should do? Or AIBU and just not go there again? Any advice welcome!! Thank you!

OP posts:
WineOrGinOrBoth · 10/11/2019 15:19

I’ve been here several times. I’m very surprised that they were rude. I’ve never known them to be anything but exceptionally polite. They are Michelin star - rudeness isn’t usual.

To those of you who are wanting to go - they do a fantastic tasting menu with wines. Very reasonably priced for London. They made lots of accommodations for me as well as I don’t eat gluten.

MustardScreams · 10/11/2019 15:20

@JacksonPillock why is it anyone else’s duty to check if you have a kid? What if the person they ask has just lost a child? Or the couple are having horrendous infertility issues? The website states it very clearly, hence why they don’t need to ask on the phone.

IrmaFayLear · 10/11/2019 15:20

Yes, OP says it's a "favourite" restaurant so she obviously hasn't previously found them rude...

Notthetoothfairy · 10/11/2019 15:21

It looks like this could have been very easily resolved, why didn’t they just say terribly sorry Madam but we will need you to move across to the Pukka Bar as you have a child with you?

JacksonPillock · 10/11/2019 15:21

@JacksonPillock why is it anyone else’s duty to check if you have a kid? What if the person they ask has just lost a child? Or the couple are having horrendous infertility issues? The website states it very clearly, hence why they don’t need to ask on the phone

It's not anyone's duty...? I said it would make sense for the business if this is something that happens with any regularity.

And you can easily state that the restaurant does not allow children at that time without actually asking "do you have children?"

WineOrGinOrBoth · 10/11/2019 15:22

Also I’d have been really pissed off if you’d turned up with baby in tow.

MustardScreams · 10/11/2019 15:22

It says it clearly on the website. If you’re too idiotic to check then that your own fault.

MustardScreams · 10/11/2019 15:24

@JacksonPillock I’ve also worked in a lot of high-end restaurants and I can categorically confirm business has never suffered from not mentioning the childfree policy, or asking guests to leave if they have a child.

Alsohuman · 10/11/2019 15:25

I said it would make sense for the business if this is something that happens with any regularity.

Which it obviously doesn’t because most people have the sense to check.

AmIOdetteOrOdile · 10/11/2019 15:25

What were you planning on doing with the baby while you ate? Keep it in the sling?

Peakypolly · 10/11/2019 15:26

I came on to say I visited two no-child establishments with a breastfeeding newborn, who were quite happy to agree that policy did not apply to tiny babies.
Considering your point though Sleepyblueocean I realise I sound entitled.

safariboot · 10/11/2019 15:26

Considering the policy isn't "no children ever" but is a whole bunch of restrictions on different days and times that weren't mentioned at the booking time, YANBU. While the restaurant staff are within their rights to send you away they could and should have been much more polite about it. Rudeness is, well, rude.

AJPTaylor · 10/11/2019 15:28

When you went pre baby, did you enjoy the child free atmosphere?

FenellaVelour · 10/11/2019 15:28

Age discrimination is illegal. I would like to see a test case on this.

Maybe they should’ve poured the baby a glass of champagne while they were at it.

No? Why not?

TheAnnoyingSatsuma · 10/11/2019 15:28

I (wrongly) assumed the baby in question was a PFB. But no, the OP says she has 3 children...

WineOrGinOrBoth · 10/11/2019 15:28

Sorry I don’t buy that they were rude. I’ve been there - I’ve never known them to be rude. Especially to a regular customer - I don’t buy it.

JenniferM1989 · 10/11/2019 15:29

IrmaFayLear, I don't actually ever go to places like this and there's a huge difference between a treat and restaurants putting the onus on their customers to find out everything that isn't obvious. What harm would it do for them to say on the phone 'are you aware of our limited times for children policy?'. Why would any restaurant want to risk turning customers away rather than make it clear so people don't turn up to be turned away? The restaurant is in my view snobby and thinks nothing of disappointing people, choosing who their clientele is and making the customer do the run around instead of them stating one sentence. It honestly has a policy where it says only children over 4 and only children over 6 at certain points 😂. That is nothing to do with alcohol licensing, I have an alcohol license and there is definitely no rules on ages 4 and 6 at certain times. It's being picky and selective and if they want to be so fussy about their policies, perhaps informing their customers wouldn't go a miss

MsTSwift · 10/11/2019 15:30

Oh we loved that restaurant when we lived in London thanks for reminding me of its existence- youngest child now a very sophisticated 11 happy days

nmc99 · 10/11/2019 15:32

Yabu, presumably if it's your fave restaurant you would have had plenty of meals without the distraction of a squawking newborn - let the other diners enjoy the same privilege.

FungusTheToegyman · 10/11/2019 15:37

Oddly enough, my meal has never been ruined or disturbed by a baby or child

Lucky you! I don't think I know anyone who hasn't been disturbed by children screeching, or banging, or running around, or watching an iPad without headphones while trying to have a meal

Sparklybanana · 10/11/2019 15:37

I don’t think most people would know before going tbh so yanbu for that but it’s their restaurant and their rules and there needs to be places that are just for grown ups.

I expect this thread will end up on the media and the restaurant will have a lot of free publicity off the back of it....

Aridane · 10/11/2019 15:39

Restaurant looks amazing - Michelin starred Indian !

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d948537-Reviews-Amaya-London_England.html

carolina21 · 10/11/2019 15:42

Your are at fault , not the restaurant. A nightclub will have same rules ! No children and that includes babies in a sling weaning .

WineOrGinOrBoth · 10/11/2019 15:43

It is amazing Grin

SerenDippitty · 10/11/2019 15:43

We booked over the phone I didn't check the website. Obviously wouldn't have brought her if I knew!!

So why on earth didn’t you check then if it would be OK to take your baby?

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