Fine Dining with Kids is a lot like camping, the motto 'always be prepared' will ensure a good time for all. Some stuff we're learning restaurant by restaurant#:
* **DO** call ahead, and confirm kids are welcome; if you require high chairs or boosters ask if they have them, if not, take your own
* order EXTRA napkins
* when you order their juice, insist on a 'small' 'fancy' glass with 'EXTRA' 'fancy' decor (umbrellas, swords, cherries, lemon wedges)
* order an extra glass of ice, yes, our village child loves chewin' on the stuff
* our village child is sensitive to loud noise, last night we forgot the head phones/ear muffs
* ask for a second order of EXTRA napkins
* let child(s) snap away with the digital camera
* set cell phone on airplane mode and let child(s) play with mode
* got a picky eater? we do, despite starving the child all day, and ordering a large variety of dishes and expecting child to eat, at least something, child did not eat...later, at home child drank a soy milk, and 1.5 yops...
* for dessert we ordered 'in season berries' and 'chocolate torte', village child ate one blueberry and skimmed the chocolate layer off the torte ;-)
* even though only Village Papa and I did the dining, I give it a 10/10 because we spent time together (I didn't have to cook or wash the dishes), nibbling on yummy Italian food at a fun, family welcoming eatery
#P.S. Confession: we only took one of our two kids...
Saturday, April 26
Fine Dining with Kids
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5 comments:
Good for you for getting out and doing this! Just one kid, though, huh? I think that's cheating a bit ... but since you are an inspiration I'll let you off the hook.
Cell phones pulled at just the right moment at dinner can make or break the restaurant deal ...
Great post!
Love hearing restaurant stories. We dine out fairly often, especially when we are with my parents, coming from a family of winers and diners. Isaiah is the most enthusiastic eater I have ever known, gorging himself when he has the chance on mussels, clams, shrimp. And pretty much everything else. When I mentioned once that he'll probably be a chef or restaurant critic, my brother said, "Yeah, or the fat guy." So we try to choose very healthy options for our connoisseur.
shawn - you're right, we DID cheat, but, little guy wasn't actually supposed to be there...
blissbelly - great that your little guy is a gastronome...look forward to some of your restaurant stories.
Patrick and I usually both sigh with relief as we're leaving a restaurant. Like, "whew...we made it." hee.
Doesn't it feel like a mini vacation only having one of them along? It's a good little break sometimes. Glad you guys had a nice time.
Stephanie, you are so right about that post dining 'sigh of relief'...yes only outing with one seems so easy...
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