To take a 3 year old to the Ritz at 17:30?

[PreschoolattheRitz]

We've been invited by grandparents at the end of April.

Defo depends on the child...and whether the timings would clash with meal times/bed times. My DS (now 14)....I would have happily taken him there (at the age of 3) without a worry. At that age, he used to charm the ladies at my mum's WI group!!! No way would I have taken my DD there when she was 3.

@Iggly

If it’s witching hour then why would you even consider it? Nope.

I'm sorry, but I agree with this. No and no again. Also, optimistic that they'd even be open.

No, because the experience will be ruined for everyone if they play up. Very unfair.

I'd take my DD1 but I would never take my DD2. Only you know.

@PurpleFlower1983

No, because the experience will be ruined for everyone if they play up. Very unfair.

I agree

Does 100% depend on the child.

You know yours and seem to think it's a mental idea so that gives you the answer.

My ds at 3 would have been fine. Very passive child and not very talkative and would have happily sat holding a toy car for hours.

You’re doing the right thing by declining @PreschoolattheRitz. My kids were pretty well behaved at 3 however I wouldn’t have risked it.

Nope, definitely not. We went a couple of years ago and it was wonderful, but a very adult wonderful. The ambience there was a big part of its charm and when we went there was nobody there (adult or child - although I don’t think there were any children) on anything other than their best behaviour. It would be hell for you, and very unfair on your fellow diners.

It does depend totally on the child.

I was quite a precocious child and was eating in restaurants with my parents from a very young age, where it was made very clear to me that the expectation was to behave properly. Which meant you sat properly on a seat until you were told to get down (or you asked to be excused for the toilet), ate your food nicely and without mess using cutlery, didn't shout out, make a noise or play up. I would have adored somewhere as gold and sparkly as the Ritz as a small child.

That said my children were like shaved monkeys at that age. Taking them to the supermarket was a test of endurance, any kind of restaurant was unthinkable let alone a 5 star one. I think my children were closer to the typical 3yo than I was.

Just to add, I've been to the Ritz for afternoon tea and it wasn't very nice, so if you don't get to go OP, you won't be missing much!

@Cautionsharpblade

If I were paying through the teeth for tea at the Ritz and a 3 year old ruined it, I'd be fucking fizzing.

Me too (especially one sat possibly watching Peppa Pig on an iPad)

@Grenlei

It does depend totally on the child.

I was quite a precocious child and was eating in restaurants with my parents from a very young age, where it was made very clear to me that the expectation was to behave properly. Which meant you sat properly on a seat until you were told to get down (or you asked to be excused for the toilet), ate your food nicely and without mess using cutlery, didn't shout out, make a noise or play up. I would have adored somewhere as gold and sparkly as the Ritz as a small child.

That said my children were like shaved monkeys at that age. Taking them to the supermarket was a test of endurance, any kind of restaurant was unthinkable let alone a 5 star one. I think my children were closer to the typical 3yo than I was.

Just to add, I've been to the Ritz for afternoon tea and it wasn't very nice, so if you don't get to go OP, you won't be missing much!

I agree. I don't even really like it there. Too spangly for me.

I genuinely 1000% prefer bill's!

And I've just read that the time frame was in laws idea. Apologies, OP.

Imagine all those middle class people deciding to go on their first post pandemic trip out to the Ritz and having it ruined by an overtired toddler. On that basis, I say do it. Otherwise maybe suggest nandos?

@ArosGartref

Imagine all those middle class people deciding to go on their first post pandemic trip out to the Ritz and having it ruined by an overtired toddler. On that basis, I say do it. Otherwise maybe suggest nandos?

I love Nando's

@Almostslimjim

Who discourages the screens? The ritz itself?

Yes

We took DDs (5 and 7 at the time) to tea at the Ritz and the child on the table next to us was watching an iPad. No one said anything to him and he was nice and quiet 🤷‍♀️ I doubt the waiters at the Ritz would actually tell you to get off an iPad - it’s not Gordon Ramsay!

Who cares about iPads when the kids are quite? Surely better than the alternative?

Anyway. I'm not taking my preschooler there. It's crazy.

*grandparents. Ugh, I'm tired and should get off here..

@grapewine

*grandparents. Ugh, I'm tired and should get off here..

It's my in laws but present from my grand in-laws.

Basically everyone involved should know better.

In your situation, I would potentially try this with my DS. He's a little cretin who is always running about where he shouldn't be but he does love cakes and knows which side his bread is buttered. So if I told him to sit quietly and read his book for 5 minutes and then he could have a cake, he probably would (accompanied by lots of "I'm reading quietly, Mummy, is it cake time yet?"). I could probably get 4-5 minutes per small cake out of him, so to get him to sit quietly for half an hour, I'd need about 6 cakes in total. It wouldn't be a very relaxing experience though...a bit like puppy-training.

Who doesn't love nandos? yes Mumsnet hivemind, I know you don't like nandos

If I absolutely had to do it. I would do it earlier, so well before witching hour when it might be less afternoon-tea-heading into cocktails people and more afternoon tea then home (possibly more likely to coo over a cherub). I think it would be v stressful for you though, worrying in case they spoiled everyone around you’s treat.

My child doesn't even like sandwiches or cake. So.

I’ve done afternoon tea there with my 3YO. She’s very good in restaurants and really likes cake so no issues whatsoever. She enjoyed it more than me tbh. Do not do it if it will cause you stress as it’s not worth it because it’s totally overrated.

DS at two would have done it, he was weirdly great in restaurants then it changed. Ever since then no. He isn't a rowdy child but he needs us to play cards and stuff with him while waiting and between courses, he has opinions and likes to be shown around the building if its somewhere fancy.

I know I could take him to the Ritz now at 10 but I would have to be 100% engaged with him. Actually I would enjoy it, just me and him. With a group probably not so much.

Cake would only be relevant if it was tea?

It is tea (mass room -tourist crap) or dinner- quite nice?