Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

going to restaurants with the babies

51 replies

subs · 29/11/2004 22:20

went to wagamama last night with dd (15 months) and a friend (who doesnt have kids)... have been several times before (they do great kids menu btw) and she loves it and is pretty good.

we got their bit late for her supper and she was hungry and a little bit iriitable, but no-one else would have known there was a baby there once her food arrived...

but i could tell my friend thought it was really out of order to 'inflict' her on other diners...

my feeling is at that time (half five) or lunch time it is perfectly reasonoable to have her there, especially in a restaiurant where one sits on benches, and especially (having been a waitress for years) when you see how badly some adults behave... i mean if i couldnt rely on her to behave herself, maybe... but i think its fine, good even...

what do you think?
any similar experiences?

OP posts:
secur · 30/11/2004 12:59

Message withdrawn

handlemecarefully · 30/11/2004 13:04

Excellent Secur,

Enjoyed that little tale immensely

secur · 30/11/2004 13:32

Message withdrawn

Bozza · 30/11/2004 13:54

Yes Misdee by the time we got to DD I had got DH trained to do it without being asked.

Really can't understand people who object to breastfeeding in a restaurant. Leaving aside the baby's needs/rights, surely a breastfeeding baby is preferable to a screaming one for anyone.

At DD's christening on Sunday I could see the noise from the children was getting to some of my childless friends not that they said anything. Was a bit amused because I think tuning it out is an essential skill you learn as a parent.

Bozza · 30/11/2004 13:55

Trained to cut my food up that is.

Tetley · 30/11/2004 14:06

I think that all kids should be able to eat out from an early age, & then it helps them to learn how to behave when out (sorry, that sounds pompous, but I hope you know what I mean!). We tend to have lunch out somewhere most weekends - both ds's love it & are usually really good.

Secur - I can just imagine you doing that - I'd love to have seen it - good for you

hatter · 30/11/2004 14:17

secur - that's the kind of response I only ever think of 3 hours after the event. good effort.

motherinferior · 30/11/2004 16:51

I would not take the inferiorettes to interfere with somebody else's romantic dinner (although they would probably do a great deal to promote the use of contraception later in the evening) but I do try, in stronger moments, to take them out and about. According the waiter in Pizza Express they were quite well-behaved, which did make me wonder what other people's kids were like.

I will admit I very slightly wished on a recent Rare Evening Out with DP that we weren't sitting next to the people who had brought their new-ish baby, as I was quite enjoying child-free time, but I fully accept that's my problem!

eidsvold · 01/12/2004 03:07

we take dd1 (2yo) out whenever we can - we have a standing date at the beachside cafe for breakfast on a saturday morning. Most customers are adults and dd is fine - she may get a little moany if they are busy and she is hungry but otherwise she loves it. We have also taken her to our local club for dinner - we tend to go early - usually full of older people who cluck and goo and ga over dd1 and she smiles and chats back. No one has ever made a comment about her - am sure I would have suitable reply if they did.

I figure if I don't do it - how is dd to learn appropriate social skills etc ( missing in some adults ).

Stilltrue · 01/12/2004 10:17

I actually don't mind other people's kids making a bit of noise in restaurants (but whining, running about and screaming are really irritating). On the whole I just tune it out; the main thing is they're not my problem to deal with, so I'm unconcerned, and can still relax.

Thomcat · 01/12/2004 10:41

We had our first meal out with Lottie when she was a coupl of weeks old, she slept int he buggy while we enjoyed a slap up curry. Have been taking her to restaurants since she was born and no interntion of stopping. Latest she was out in a resturant was 9pm because the waitresses took her off and everyone was having so much fun we stayed and enjoyed drinks afterwards.

She's been to a mixture of curry houses, care rouge, famiy pubs and Fortnum & masons and the Lanesborough, and obviuosly most nights on holidays, never had a problem.

Like most people here I agree that it's great to take kids out to eat.

newgirl · 01/12/2004 13:16

Subs, I reckon wagas is the perfect place to take your toddler - they would go out of business without the families.

I think motherinferior's point is interesting - I take my dd out (2) often for lunch or an early dinner but would not take to her to an expensive restaurant in the evening. I think I would if we were sitting outside as people seem to be more relaxed, but inside, I would not.

I reckon that going on holiday to warm countries has encouraged people to take children out to eat in the evening, but if you go to an upmarket restaurant even in Italy in the evening - say costing E40 a head or more, you would definitely not see children. The family friendly ones are the same as here - places where you buy pizza etc.

TwoIfBySanta · 01/12/2004 20:42

Subs just say to your friend, how else are is your dd meant to learn how to behave in public, in restaurants if you are not allowed to take her places?

Ds twins (nearly 3) have always gone to restaurants, cafes. Nothing fancy as we are on a budget but I wanted them to learn, as I did on behaviour and such.

Sure we have had the tantrums, and people staring and tutting but that is their problem not mine. You weren't inflicting your dd on other diners. I mean, some adults make a hell of a noise when eating! You are just teaching your dd manners when eating out and sounds like you are doing a good job too.

LizP · 02/12/2004 16:58

My two (3 & 5) are actually better behaved in smater restaurants than pizza hut type places. Don't know if its the effect of white tablecloths that stuns them!

Blu · 02/12/2004 17:43

I can't possibly imagine why anyone should be iffy about children in restaurants if they do sit down, and don't scream. The problem I have had is that DS genuinely finds sitting on a chair for more than about 10 minutes v difficult, he's slowly getting better, but he just isn't interested in eating for the sake of it. And he feels he can converse much better attempting handstands over the back of his seat, so engaging him in conversation doesn't keep him still for long either. Until he can stay in one place and upright, I tend to keep him away from 'adult' restaurants, esp in the evening. It just isn't a pleasant experience, and I don't want to inflict him on people who are entitled to be able to enjoy their own meal!

MariNativityPlay · 02/12/2004 17:52

Agree with others here, Wagamama's is a great place for children - noisy enough when busy to drown out the most blood-curdling yowls. And all wipe-clean. Ds loves it and so do we.
Did you friend think she was in Quaglino's at 9pm or something subs?

paolosgirl · 02/12/2004 18:00

I agree with newgirl. Kids have to be allowed to experience restuarants to learn how to behave properly in them, and to enjoy eating out IMO. That said, there are certain restaurants I wouldn't take them too, because I understand that, whilst I think my sprogs are just the bees knees, not everyone may agree! There is nothing worse than looking forward to a rare night out, spending a fortune on babysitters and the meal, to be faced with rowdy, tired kids (i'm talking about a late night, not an early evening obviously). It is the same on the continent as well, as newgirl said.

lu9months · 02/12/2004 19:40

We love taking our 2 ( aged 2 and 7 weeks) out to the local friendly turkish restaurant. but my question is - is it ok to let toddlers get down and run around when they get bored? I worry he will get in the way of a waiter carrying something hot, but it is hard to keep him sitting still for very long...

FrostyTheSurfMum · 02/12/2004 20:17

Our mums n toddlers group had a day out on Tuesday and were exceptionally well treated at the Harbour Lights pub by the pier in Bournemouth. We had 7 18 month olds with us! Admittedly they weren't busy, but they found us space to sit, found 7 high chairs and helped us moved the buggies out of the way for us. They didn't mind that only the mums ate and the babies had sandwiches that we brought. They couldn't have been more helpful.

As it was empty, we were able to let them have a runaround when they'd eaten. We commented that we could do with a pub/coffee shop where we could sit and chat but they were close by and able to play. We go to each others houses but yesterday they wrecked mine! .... and just 2 days after clearing up after dsd had her birthday party and her friends had wrecked it!!

Can definitely recommend a trip to Oceanarium followed by lunch at the Harbour Lights as a winter activity.

galaxy · 02/12/2004 20:52

Always taken dd to restaurants and sheis an old hand now at the age of 2 and 3 weeks. Her favourite is steak au poivre or noodles. She has only behaved poorly on one occassion and that was becuase she was unwell and we were at a local pub/restaurant for Fathers' Day.

If going out in the evenings, we always get there early to ensure she doesn't get grouchy .

Wouldn't take her anywhere designed for romantic candlelight dinners though but on the other hand refuse to bow to the likes of "family" restaurants like Brewers Fayre as the food is always shite.

Pagan · 03/12/2004 19:50

I firmly believe that the more you eat out, the more used to it the children get and the better behaved they become. Absolutely nothing wrong with eating out at such times.

Have taken DD to lots of different places and as long as she's happy and not making any noise then fine. If she was playing up then I'd take her out.

We all stayed in a really posh hotel last year and she girned a bit in the dining room (probably coz we were piped in by the owner's son in full highland regalia) but I just took her through to the lounge and she was fine.

In favour of those who still want a child free zone I can sympathise but to expect this at 5.30 at places with a child menu is ridiculous. If that's what you want then go to a posh joint later in the evening.

fisil · 03/12/2004 19:58

I had a snooty friend like yours, subs. She once told me how disgusting Ask had been on a Sunday lunchtime cos it was overrun with children. Urm, yes, of course it was, it's a pizza restaurant that welcomes children and everyone was having a family day!

When ds was born she fell in love with him and when I went back to work volunteered to look after him for a few days. She ranted about a certain pizza restaurant - tables too close together for buggy to get through, should be pencils on tables for kiddies, nappy area should be better, shouldn't put fork close to edge of table in case baby got it. Yes, a few days with a baby, and she saw the light!

We take ds out all the time, most weekends. We love it, it's precious family time. We once went to a well posh restaurant for Sunday lunch and a raucus 40th b'day party came in. So we settled back for deserts and coffee while they encouraged ds to run around playing with their hats/party poppers etc. - blissful!

Willowmum · 03/12/2004 20:08

I can recommend Pizza Express in the Forum Norwich. We had an NCT birthday celebration there, 7 Mums, 7 babies, 7 pushchairs, 3 hours to have a pizza!

Staff were great, very accommodating, didn't hassle us at all and great changing facilities in the Forum.

pabla · 03/12/2004 20:32

Wagamamas is our favourite place to go with the kids, for a once in a while treat on a Sunday lunchtime. We ahve also gone once in the early evening. Our branch is always full of families with babies and toddlers and the fast service is what I love.

I remember years ago going to a Harvester which happened to be in what was once a rather grand house. We had dd with us, it was lunchtime and while she wasn't being really naughty or loud she was a bit fidgity. We kept getting dirty looks from a snooty old lady who clearly thought she was in a rather posh establishment and kids shouldn't have been allowed. I thought it was hilarious that she had such delusions of grandeur (the food was crap and we never went back!)

Juliehafrancis · 03/12/2004 21:05

Hiya......

Can't believe your friend's opinion! I have taken Dd (now 2) ever since she was a babes in arms! I've taken her to posh places, indian and chinese and cafe's etc. I have always taken along some food in case there is nothing on the menu suitable for her but she normally just grabs food off my plate (as long as it's not vegetables) I feel happy to be able to take my daughter out with me and enjoy nice food and company together however I know loads of mum's who just refuse to go to restaurants with their kids!
I think it's important to get your child familiar with how to behave in a restaurant etc

Swipe left for the next trending thread