TwoFatFeet

The best is when parents take their little kids to R-rated movies. WTF is that about, seriously? I went to see the Black Dahlia, a decidedly un-kid-friendly flick, and a couple got booted b/c their kid was running up and down the aisle and whatnot. The parents actually tried to protest their expulsion. Uh, nice try, mom and dad.

SAnParis

I'm pretty sure the restaurant would have been empty by the time I got through, w/whomever was in charge.

RBCal

Until kids are old enough to be well behaved parents shouldn't take them to restaurants and subject other patrons to their behavior.

The absolute worst parental behavior I ever witnessed was a mother changing her child on the restaurant table. This was at a chain restaurant but absolutely shocking to witness.

Some parents don't realize that not everyone thinks its adorable to witness their children crying, screaming and running amok.

nytraveler

I've never seen a restaurant with a sign or official notice that they don't allow kids below a certain age (as with Broadway most shows).

But I have been to many where it was obvious that children were not welcome - and personally think this is just fine.

There are many places that welcome children and families - but some upscale places that are really designed as sophisticated dining experiences for adults only. At those places children mature enough to behave properly through a 2 hour plus meal are usually welcomed. (For some kids this may be 7 or 8 years old - for others it's not until late teens.)

And frankly I don;t see why adults spending large amounts of money and limited free time for a fine dining experience should have to put up with the type of behavior normal to small children - esp those that are bored and cranky. IMHO it's not fair to the other diners, nor is it fair to the child/children.

And having had a couple of dinners made quite unpleasant by children who should have known better (10 or 12) whose parent's ignored their animalistic behavior - I can understand the restaurant's rules.

Suki

You know, odie's daughter may be a perfectly presentable little girl who knows how to behave in restaurants. Mine certainly did by the time they were in kindergarten. While I do believe that it is the restaurant's right to refuse to serve anyone they wish, I would have been shocked by their request as well. The restaurant should get the word out somehow that they don't serve children.

clueless

Not having a kid menu or kid friendly food would be my first clue.

There is nothing on that menu that most six years olds would eat.

OO

Looking at their menu, I wouldn't think this would be the sort of place you'd even want to bring a 5 year old. On the other hand, I can understand your feeling insulted.

After hearing their choice of music for their website though, I think I'd rather listen to a 5 year old carry on than listen to that!! LOL

peterboy

Hey, if you decide to have children then be prepared to deal with it...all of it...and don't expect everyone else to have to deal with it with you. Not everyone cares for the company of children believe it or not.

odie1

Duely noted on those who have commented that the restaurant has the right to set an age limitation however as it was also noted, post it outside the door with the menu that is already posted.

It is unfortunate that some parents ruin it for those of us who take parenting seriously and have children who can sit through 3 hour meals without getting up, running around, screaming, yelling, crying, etc.

bbqboy-you are exactly right. I know exactly how my daughter behaves and I certainly don't need a restaurant to decide that for me.

RBCal-You say parents shouldn't take their kids out until they are old enough to behave, I am curious at what age does that happen? I have seen plenty of teenageers behaving so poorly that even my daughter, who was four, commented on it.

Suki-That was exactly it, it was not posted anywhere, not even on their website. So instead, we have to wait for them to turn us away and then explain to my daughter why they won't let us in because of her.

I guess I was just shocked to see it in a local restaurant that is in a pretty simple area.

TahitiTams

Love kids but have had several meals ruined by the screaming child or the running around the table screaming kid where the parents do nothing about it and the management doesn't either..
Looking at the website, I didn't see anything that stated 'no children under 6 years old'..I think it needs to be stated clearly and to have you feel humilated was wrong on their part.
I would write the mangement and let them know that if you have a policy of not serving children under 6, that they should have it visible on the door outside, so you and others are not embarrassed by the attitude of the host.

odie1

clueless and OO- The Fifth Season did not offer a children's menu either. It may be hard to believe but our daughter, who will actually be five next week, eats the same thing we do. She loved the flounder with lemon butter caper sauce she had for dinner. Once for dinner in Montreal when she was three, the chef apologized he did not have anything on the menu for her and I informed her that she would be very happy with the Filet mignon, pasta and hericot verts that was on the menu. She went on to clean her plate (he did graciously make it a smaller portion).

peterboy-I do deal with it just fine. BTW, I have more than once gone out to dinner and had to deal with completely obnoxious adults yelling, being rude, behaving in a far worse manner than my daughter could ever dream of. There are still children out there that don't need to be the center of attention and can be far less "obtrusive" than some adults who are trying to make themselves the center of attention. Please do not lump all children and parents in the same category.

Again, I was just trying to see how common this is, as having traveled extensively I have never encountered it before.

peterboy

I have to agree that there should be a sign outside the place and mention of their policy on their website. I does seem unfair to have that sprung on you at the last minute after having committed to and driving to their restaurant. I would send them an email and include a link to this thread as a wake up call.

celfan

I there were airlines that did this.

NeoPatrick

I would welcome having such a requirement at a few nice restaurants in our area. Because we are a tourist area, I think we get more children in a lot of nice restaurants than normal -- as people are tourists here and don't have the luxury of a baby sitter. I can't tell you how many meals have been ruined by unruly children, right down to the four or five year old who sat on the floor and tugged on the tablecloth until the entire table's contents went tumbling to the floor -- no, not their table, but an adjoining one.

But I'd agree such a policy should be made well known. I don't get the idea of suggesting such families eat early -- do they set a time when you have to leave? Is it saying it's OK if they disturb early diners, but not late ones?

I'm guessing you were very early? Otherwise, I'd be glad to have been refused service from any restaurant that only had one table occupied. Not a very good sign.

As to the vague rationale for setting the age at 6, it's like any other rule. A restaurant may require jackets, but not distinquish between an old polyester leisure suit and a real suit or sport coat. Or they may say no jeans and follow that even when the person wearing them is also wearing spectacular shoes, a Prada jacket, and looks like a million dollars. Rules are arbitrarily set, because it's easier than trying to enforce "no specific rules".

Sarah

I can imagine why there would be such a restriction although children never bother me. Especially in NY where if you found a parent with poor parenting skills who let the child disturb other guests. I would feel fine telling them to control their kid, complaining to management etc. Never found anyone who created such a disturbance.

aliska

Sounds like a lot of people here just don't like children. If a restaurant, theatre, whatever, doesn't want children, then have a CLEARLY POSTED SIGN or written policy. It is quite something else to show up not knowing this and be treated rudely by the restaurant.

And, no, I didn't burn the restaurant down that treated us badly. But...I'll bet all those elderly matrons are DEAD now - good luck catering to a clientle over 80.

peterboy

Sure there are badly behaved adults sometimes but for more often it is children.

I have to say that, when I see a small child on an airliner or one coming into a restaurant I cringe hoping that they won't be seated near me and that they will be well behaved. In that sense I guess I do lump all children and parents together but only because of bad experiences. This in spite of the fact that I've had pleasant experiences with children eating nearby.

I've also had well behaved children nearby suddenly "go off" and the wonderful parents turn out to be rude enablers. The uncertainty of how the situation will turn out is enough to negatively effect my experience.

It is too bad that you, a responsible parent must be penalized for the actions of others but that is part of the package isn't it.

Sarah

now a real disturbance is cigar and cigarette smoke in London restaurants. Try paying $100 a plate and having your table neighbor light a stoggy they keep burning for the duration of the meal.

SuzieTrue

My kids, 18 & 21, have had their share of restaurant melt-downs. Still remember the meal on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington that DH and I took turns staying outside with our then 2 y.o. son.

We did not start taking the kids to our favorite local upscale restaurant until a few years ago. We were not about to spend $$$ when they would not enjoy the meal.

I have on a few occasions stopped a child who has run into me or my table at restaurants. [It's the teacher in me.] I say something about not wanting them to get hurt, redirect them to their own table and smile. Might not last long, but it definitely snaps them out of being obnoxious for the moment.

dmlove

I have children (grown now) and I still react like peterboy does when I see one coming near me in an airplane The worst I ever saw was on an airplane where a small child was kicking the back of the seat in front of him, and the mother was verbally berating the person in that seat for getting annoyed!

I'm not against the rule, just the manner in which it was handled.