To think that this menu isn’t suitable for children?

[Mummyofabear]

A few months ago I booked to take my children to Matilda in Concert at the Royal Albert Hall this month (October), I had to book hospitality tickets because those were the only tickets left at the time of booking. And then today have been sent an email with the hospitality details and this is the menu! They don’t have a separate children’s menu either even though Matilda is a family event! AIBU to think this menu isn’t suitable for children? My children have autism and are very fussy so the only thing that they will eat on this menu will be the desserts but even then I don’t think there’s much on this menu that most neurotypical children would eat either? In my opinion it’s not suitable for families or children even though it’s supposed to be a family event!

I’ve copied and pasted the menu below incase the image doesn’t work:

Snacks (served pre-show):
Black garlic polenta crackers

Seaweed tapioca crackers

Canapés (served pre-show):
Glazed beef skewer, chimichurri

Parmesan churros, tomato and Parmesan sauce (V)

Cold Bowl (served pre-show):

Pumpkin seed houmous, maple-roast pumpkin, pomegranate, pickled pumpkin ribbons, mint oil

Sliders (served pre-show):
28-day dry-aged beef patty, crispy bacon, tarragon and chive aioli, confit garlic,
served with potato hash puffs, truffle mayo

Moroccan-Spiced lamb slider, grilled onions, sumac mayonnaise & pickled cucumber,
served with buffalo cauliflower

Dessert canapés (served during the interval):
Mango, passion fruit, coconut pavlova

Millionaire's chocolate mousse, salted caramel, vanilla sablé

Milk and Cookies

Drinks:

Trebbiano, Rubicone, Novità
Sangiovese, Rubicone, Novità
Estrella Galicia 4.7%
Ginger bitters (soft cocktail)
Sparkling mineral water
Still mineral water

I don’t mind garlic in the background of food, but not as the main taste. I’ve got a number of family members who think the same. I at least don’t mind mildly spicy food (food of the devil according to them).

I’m not judging autistic people, I have a profoundly autistic child who wouldn’t touch anything on that menu!
The OP said it wasn’t suitable for ‘children’ as a whole though.

No, probably not. I was just answering the question of whether my children would eat it or not.

I have a DH for that. 😝 Otherwise I live on toast.

Yes, that's fair

I agree, when you actually look at it, it's not that fancy!

Me, I like garlic, but I don’t like mayo

So the parts you find problematic are any sort of additional flavouring or herbs or spices?

What do you normally eat then? If you just want basic burger and plain crackers then I think eat before hand. Most restaurants don't serve plain food as people some to enjoy things they don't or can't make at home.

My 1yo would eat everything. The 4yo would probs eat 80% and so would the 6yo- although they'd eat different bits. If we were out and ordered them fishfinger and chips whilst I had this menu, then you can guarantee they'd eat all of mine!

If they won't be flexible re food, then yes. I'd rather that, than have my DC go hungry.

Mine would be all over that! Sounds delicious! We’ve never entertained the idea of ‘fussy’ and we always talk positively about foods. How can you take them anywhere if you just expect boring ‘kid’ food

Take out the arty farty descriptions and it's fairly straightforward food.

What kind of thing would you like to see instead?

I suppose if the tickets are expensive some will want food to be more like this.

The point I was making is that it is not just a burger, or just crackers, as others were making out. They come with some flavours that some people might find unpalatable.

However, I would recognise that the menus at a fancy expensive places are not usually to my liking, and swerve it if I could.

I agree about those with additional needs, but I imagine that wouldn't be age dependent, it would equally apply to adults with additional needs too

Yes, that's probably true

I've found most places to be accommodating if you explain your child has additional needs, a limited diet, dietary restrictions etc and if all else fails, I bring a packed lunch/dinner and he picks at a few things he might like.

Has it occurred to you that your children might eat what is on that menu, given the chance? Here's a list of things I never ate as a child because my parents didn't like them:

blue cheese
asparagus
spinach
Indian food of any kind
artichokes
rare meat

As an adult, I love all of these. As a child I never got the chance.

Mine aged 2, 6 & 8 would have gobbled up any on that menu !

see I don't think its that sophisticated.....its "pretend sophisticated" At least they have stayed away from nduja and chorizo so small mercies I guess.

My children would have eaten nearly everything on that menu !

Everyone will tell you that their children would only eat things like that but honestly as an adult I would rather shit in my hands and clap than eat any of that

Are people who are well off only allowed to eat this kind of thing then?

I hadn’t read the thread before my last post but as I predicted, many are claiming their very young children would love all of it and that your children may enjoy it if they get the chance.

As someone whose eating is affected by being ND, I can assure people that it isn’t because they haven’t had the opportunity to try that kind of thing.

I imagine most of these people will judge those they perceive as ‘picky’ , as will their children when they grow up.

To your first line I don’t think so no. It’s not really what I’d go for even with an expensive ticket.

My now adult DC would have eaten most of that when younger. Both severely autistic but love trying new foods.

Why does what you would eat as an adult have any bearing on what my children will eat as children though? My children aren’t you.