Thrown out of restaurant for bringing newborn baby

[toddlermom]

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, I’m sorry you had your night ruined and it must have been embarrassing to be turned away like that. At only 5 weeks PP going out for a nice meal was probably a big deal for you.

The restaurant has to have a blanket policy to function well and you weren’t aware of it. It’s just one of those things. If you feel like it in the future you could always go back for a weekend lunch.

Think this is the first AIBU when everyone is in agreement, YABU the policy is very clear. Why do you think your baby does not count as a child and exceptions should be made for you.

Given that this is one of her favourite restaurants, it's difficult to believe they were not aware of their policy.

I am surprised everyone is in agreement (though I also agree).

Just waiting for someone to come along and say the policy CLEARLY doesn't apply to breastfeeding mums ...

...but it does.

@curiousaboutsamphire

It’s fine that you don’t understand that at all.
I do feel for the OP as she must have felt shit to have been asked to leave (assuming she genuinly didn’t know about the no children policy).
But rules are rules.

A child is a child... maybe they could have been more polite about it, but the rule is their prerogative

I’m sorry you were embarrassed but as others have pointed out they are entitled to their policies and to enforce them

Some harsh comments. Perhaps OP hadn't looked at website. If someone suggests we meet somewhere I don't often check the website.
I hope you found somewhere else to go. There was no need for them to be rude though.

Waits for the inevitable WIBU? Unanimous chorus of yes...OP “I really wasn’t”

Congratulations on your lovely newborn

Why would you take a baby to a restaurant that clearly specifies not to at set times? Had you not seen this on their website?

What would you even complain about?

I think most people with common sense going to an expensive Michelin-starred restaurant in London would check that children were allowed first, surely?

Were they really rude & unfriendly or just reiterating what they had said when you started to present reasons as to why your child should be exempted from their rules?

Also you either book online, which has the children's policy on that page (I just looked) or you call them to book, in which case you would probably ask to check, wouldn't you?

Really?? You needed to vent??

Why would your child be exception to the rule?

Overall, it’s their house, their rules, isn’t it?

Well, I disagree with everyne here. I think such a policy ought to be illegal.

If babies or children are being disruptive in any way to other diners then of course parents should be asked to take their baby/ child outside. Otherwise children should be welcomed at all restaurants. (Pubs/ bars and other non dining establishments are a different matter, due to legal requirements.)

If children aren't allowed, they're not allowed. Your baby isn't Christ reincarnate so why would they allow you special treatment?

Oh the entitlement...

Otherwise children should be welcomed at all restaurants.

But the OP says this is one of her favourite places to eat, so obviously there’s something about the no child policy that works for her as well.

They should have been polite about it but yes, yabu.

Aww OP it's nice when people are rude and they needn't have been. MN likes nothing more than tell someone they're wrong. I reckon she gets it now.

An AIBU that's unanimous. You don't get that very often.

They have a child policy. That includes all children. There's enough people who think rules apply to all children except theirs.

It also doesn't sound like the waitress or manager were rude until op refused to leave after being told of their policy.