babies in higher end restaurants (Atlanta, Decatur: how much, eat, friendly)

[matilda79]

Get a sitter or lower your restaurant standards.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Go Blue 99

What is the general rule regarding babies and nicer restaurants in Atlanta? Frowned upon? Or okay if you are doing an early dinner (we are thinking 6 pm)?

Atlanta is not unique - it's generally frowned upon in many cities.

Putting it to the point, even if the establishment is not absolute top dollar, many people will still consider a "nice" place someplace they do not eat at every day - it's a special meal, usually eaten with a special someone or someones that usually does not include toddlers or babies. They usually go through the trouble of getting a sitter for their children so they can go to these places, so if others decide to forego that and haul their kids to the same place, it wastes the efforts and expense other people have made to go out there that night.

As others have said, there are places that cater more to families that aren't fast food. They might not appeal to "foodies", but hey, your life changes once you have kids. Sitter, or, alter the plan. If you are still dead set on going to the place you originally mentioned, I would aim much more toward 5pm, not 6pm.

[hautemomma]

I agree with the general consensus - stay out of high-end restaurants with babies and toddlers. Either go somewhere much more casual and family friendly or enjoy a meal at home, both of which are much more conducive to the needs and attention spans of young kids, and more considerate of those who want to enjoy their premium meals without disruption. As a parent, I never took my kids to the movies, expensive restaurants, music events or other places they just didn't belong. If we couldn't get a sitter, we just sucked it up and made alternative plans.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

If you are still dead set on going to the place you originally mentioned, I would aim much more toward 5pm, not 6pm.

I agree with this. When I go out to eat it's usually right after work, so we get to the restaurant around 5:15. It's not all that uncommon to see kids or babies in restaurants at that time, and I don't recall there being a lot of disruptions (although it DOES happen from time to time). Restaurants are typically pretty empty at that time of day, so it should be easy for the restaurant to find a table for you in an area where you won't be surrounded by other diners, and won't be quite as much of a bother if your kid has a meltdown.

Also, always remember, if your waiter has to clean up cheerios that your kid threw all over the floor, you should tip extra generously.

[Go Blue 99]

We decided on Kaleidoscope in Brookhaven. Their GM didn't flinch when I asked for 2 high chairs with the reservation

[AtlJan]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Atlanta is not unique - it's generally frowned upon in many cities.

Putting it to the point, even if the establishment is not absolute top dollar, many people will still consider a "nice" place someplace they do not eat at every day - it's a special meal, usually eaten with a special someone or someones that usually does not include toddlers or babies...

Atlantagreg has touched on something important here--*even if the establishment is not absolute top dollar* for you, it may be absolute top dollar for someone else! While your kids are running haywire all over Outback Steakhouse--the couple sitting next to you may be trying to have a very special anniversary dinner. It is never ok to disturb others.

Why not cook or get take-out and eat at home? I find this is preferable for my children (who are still too young for Bacchanalia). The kids get to relax--the parents get to relax---and it is more enjoyable for all--including that couple trying to have their special anniversary dinner. :-)

good luck!

[bu2]

Again, it depends on the kids and the restaurant. Most restaurants are pretty loud theses days. Many places it gets hard to hold a conversation, let alone hear someone loud a couple tables over. I haven't been inside the Iberian Pig, but there are several alternatives in downtown Decatur that would work if you walk in and it doesn't look promising.

But there are some people who will disapprove not matter what. One time I was with my 3 year old in a donut shop. She spilled some milk-solely under my table and not towards anyone else at all. A young 20 something guy a couple tables over threw over his table and his own food and started screaming and cussing, not directly at us, but about us. My daughter still talks about that a decade later. He was on his way out, but the rest of the patrons told him to get out. It was the adult who had the meltdown. And we are talking a Crispy Crème type donut shop, not some French bistro/coffee shop.

[hautemomma]

Originally Posted by bu2

But there are some people who will disapprove not matter what. One time I was with my 3 year old in a donut shop. She spilled some milk-solely under my table and not towards anyone else at all. A young 20 something guy a couple tables over threw over his table and his own food and started screaming and cussing, not directly at us, but about us. My daughter still talks about that a decade later. He was on his way out, but the rest of the patrons told him to get out. It was the adult who had the meltdown. And we are talking a Crispy Crème type donut shop, not some French bistro/coffee shop.

That's over the top. There is a difference in talking about child-appropriate venues and people who just don't like kids. That experience sounds like the latter.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Atlanta is not unique - it's generally frowned upon in many cities.

Putting it to the point, even if the establishment is not absolute top dollar, many people will still consider a "nice" place someplace they do not eat at every day - it's a special meal, usually eaten with a special someone or someones that usually does not include toddlers or babies. They usually go through the trouble of getting a sitter for their children so they can go to these places, so if others decide to forego that and haul their kids to the same place, it wastes the efforts and expense other people have made to go out there that night.

As others have said, there are places that cater more to families that aren't fast food. They might not appeal to "foodies", but hey, your life changes once you have kids. Sitter, or, alter the plan. If you are still dead set on going to the place you originally mentioned, I would aim much more toward 5pm, not 6pm.

Well said.

To me it's just common courtesy. We have kids and grandchildren but when we go out with them we take them to kid-friendly places (burgers, Mexican, etc.) and leave the grownups alone.

[lovely40]

Originally Posted by hautemomma

I agree with the general consensus - stay out of high-end restaurants with babies and toddlers. Either go somewhere much more casual and family friendly or enjoy a meal at home, both of which are much more conducive to the needs and attention spans of young kids, and more considerate of those who want to enjoy their premium meals without disruption. As a parent, I never took my kids to the movies, expensive restaurants, music events or other places they just didn't belong. If we couldn't get a sitter, we just sucked it up and made alternative plans.

^^ This. I went to a movie recently and this family brought in a little baby, infant seat, diaper bag etc. When I saw them walking up the aisle, I asked myself, "why would they bring that baby to THIS movie". The movie was No Good Deed with Idris Elba and Taraji Henson, so not even a kid movie. Sure enough, the little one cried and was antsy during most of the movie.