Posted by Michael Ledwith on May 16, 1997 at 01:10:29:
In Reply to: Children and Restaurants posted by Karen Upright on May 15, 1997 at 15:49:07:
: We serve one or two children per month, and they almost
always are a problem. Usually they come at lunch time,
which isn't quite so bad, because hardly anyone is trying
to have a romantic meal with conversation then. At dinner
it's more disturbing.
: Older kids are almost never a problem, although I did
have one who brought a video game in. I would have asked
him not to use it, but the only other customer at the time
was my hell-day-venting guy (see posting from a few weeks
ago), so I wasn't too concerned if he was being bothered.
I am offended by Mom and Dad bringing Burger King for
little Johnny, however. We have fruit, we have cheese
pizzas, we make peanut butter and jelly, we have plain
chicken breasts with rice. Why doesn't anyone teach their
children to eat anymore? And with that relatively
good-sized kid menu, someone complained because I didn't
have grilled cheese or hamburgers, and therefore wasn't
"kid-friendly". Right. Good. We don't want to be too
kid-friendly.
: Why these babies and small children irritate me so much,
I don't know. My parents took my older sister and me out
to dine frequently as children, often to very nice, formal
restaurants. I never behaved like a demonically possessed
wild animal. It would never have occurred to me to be
anything less than perfectly polite to the staff and other
patrons of the restaurant.
: I'm still toying with a no-children-under-five rule,
maybe just at dinner. Did I mention that Foster's is
attached to a gift shop? I cringe when I think of children
running wild in Breakable Land. My poor servers are
turning into the manners police.
: Karen
I've seen advertisements for a place stating "Children 12
and over welcome". I won't be dining there even if my kids
were old enough for them. If I take my son (3) and his twin
sisters (2yrs) to brunch at a nice hotel, it's for my wife,
my own and my kids enjoyment, ditto the small french cafe
we've gotten to twice in the last year. The owners make us
feel welcome, nothing in there ad about childrens age.
In 18 yrs cooking I have only worked in one restaurant that
had a problem with children diners( the owner disliked kids
and I was a little to busy to mash potatos for a special no
salt no butter kiddie request) but thats the idea, pleasing
the guest two or eightytwo (soft asparagus please)
Ask parents to maintain some control, and enjoy the kids
chef mike