Around Sandy Springs

By Danielle

May 19, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

I could not agree more. While the kiddies should not be banned from every restaurant, there are places where a children don’t belong and probably don’t want to be anyway. Trying to make a child, even a fairly-well behaved one, be quiet and sit still at a high-end restaurant can be challenging. It’s really better for the parents, the children, and other diners if parents leave the kids at home or visit kid-friendly establishments. Our society is child-friendly enough; there should still be places where people, including parents, can enjoy a quiet, adult environment free of Romper Room escapees.

By Lassie

May 19, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Why would anyone object to a child in an eating establishment? It’s not like a feces and urine filled diaper is unappetizing, or anything. Of course we should be able to dine away from the little bacteria filled petri dishes. Immunocompromised cancer patients are told their dogs are okay to be around but children are not. Well, last I checked, my dog couldn’t go into a restaurant with me, even though he behaves better than most children.

By fk

May 19, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

There is a time and a place for everything. When my husband and I go out on a date, we want to be out on a date, not listening to another’s whining child. Our son is now 17, and when he was younger, we went to family style restaurants. If we wanted to go to a nicer establishment, we hired a sitter. That way, everyone enjoyed the night all the better. Young children don’t appreciate the nicer places, especially after 8 pm. Recently, we, my husband and I, went down to a pricy ATL restaurant. We had a nice dinner and while we were finishing up, there we listened to the screeching voice of a screaming toddler. Geez, it was after 9 pm.

By MamaS

May 19, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

A “no-kids” policy would not be necessary if management would have the backbone to require parents to control their children. My son is five. He is not perfect, but he has been trained in how to eat out. He does not talk to the other diners nor does he run around the dining room. He does play with small table toys I bring for him, or read a book that I carry in my purse. Why should we be banned because some parents can’t/won’t control their brats? If a child is running around, the server should escort it back to the table and tell the parents roaming is only for cell phones. If a child is tantruming, the server can volunteer to put the parents’ food in carryout so they can take it home with them. Maybe one family might be insulted, but that is better than turning us all away and making us all angry. When we are dining without our children, we WON’T COME BACK to a place where our children were not welcomed.

By Warrior Woman

May 19, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

Yes, you’ve gotten intolerant in your old age. My family doesn’t eat places with character maitre ds or chicken finger menus. We frequently dine places with linen table cloths and extensive wine lists, and have as long as we’ve had children. They’ve been much less disruptive than the obnoxious, loud, adults that we often observe in these restaurants - primarily because they’ve always been taught that there are consequences to acting inappropriately.

I’ll keep my kids home when they’re more disruptive than the drunks and loudmouths. Until then, we dine where we please and won’t patronize Oregon even for our date nights.

By cubalibre

May 19, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

MamaS, I don’t mean to single you out, but surely you realize that you are the exception, rather than the rule, for most PWKs today? You’re to be commended for teaching your young son good table manners (I, like my mother before me, believe that it is never too early to teach your children how to behave in public); however, as the author pointed out, even good kids can & do act up when they’ve been sitting too long. Too many PWK have an overinflated sense of entitlement where their offspring are concerned, and believe that they should be allowed to bring their children any and everywhere they go, and no one should say them nay. The fact is, some restaurants are more appropriate for children than others, and unfortunately for proprietors (and customers) of upscale places, parents too often lack the common sense to distinguish between them. Ergo, the necessity of the “ban”. It may seem unfair to you, and of course, since this is a free country, you can certainly decide to spend your dining dollars elsewhere. But to those of us who have little or no practice in tuning out screeching and squalling of a tired 3-yr-old, the welcome relief from ill-behaved children out with clueless parents is a boon.

By Marie

May 19, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

I don’t have children. I agree with Cubalibre. Obviously, most restaurants don’t step in when parents refuse to deal with a screaming child. Parents just don’t seem to care now. My friend recently visited Atlanta with her husband and their two year old child. Both times we ate out together, the child became very unruly - screaming and crying and throwing things. They didn’t discipline him at all and I couldn’t do anything. I kept hoping the restaurant manager would step in, but that didn’t happen.

I love my friends, but I’m disappointed in their lack of parenting skills. She refers to this child as a “perfect angel.”

I’m not going to dinner with them again.

By Mther of 2

May 19, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

I am a mother of 2 young kids, 3 and 5 years old. I try my best to teach them manners, but I would NEVER bring my kids to a fine dining establishment. On the rare occasions that my DH and I get to go out somewhere nice, I’d like to not see young, bored, tired kids who are miserable at having to sit still and behave past their normal bedtimes. I would, however, put an exception in for kids under 6 months. At that age they mostly just sleep in their carriers and give you something cute to smile at.

By benton

May 19, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Hey, the Vortex doesn’t allow kids because it does allow smoking. I’d say they’ve hit on the best of all possible worlds.

By publicenemynumberone

May 19, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

Sometimes you just don’t want to be around kids, well-behaved or not. I have two kids (8 and 4) that act great in restaurants, but I also respect others wishes. It would be great if the (any)establishment put the info in the door though, it would be embarrassing to enter and then told to leave.

By Jose Arcadio

May 19, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

I feel that sometimes I want to be around adults. And being a teacher, it is nice to have to worry about having to run into your students. And I don’t want to hear the tantrums and screaming that you sometimes hear from the kids.

I like that if I am telling my friend a nasty joke or story that I don’t have to look over my shoulder to see a kid standing in the chair behind me staring over my shoulder.

By Grace

May 19, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Mama S, it’s easier for a resturant to ban then to ask them to leave. If it’s at a point where the family should be asked to leave, then the dining experience for others has already been ruined. Not to mention the dispute over the bill when asked to leave. There are many people with kids who approve of this practice. When couples with kids get their one date night 2 or 3 times a month, do you think they want to be bother with other children. I wish the theaters would have enough guts to ban small children from R-rated movies at night.

The Fox Theater actually allowed a small baby in for a play. I am not talking about a $6 movie. I spent $65 to hear a baby cry for 3hrs. My entire sections was mad!

By gttim

May 19, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

If all of them cannot follow all the rules, they have no business being there! Ban them! If they are there, when you pass them maybe you can gently hit them! Teach them a lesson and show them who the boss is!

Oh wait, I thought this was the bikes on the road post.

By guy

May 19, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

very good idea. If only we could get one night a week at the GA Aquarium were adults could go and enjoy the exhibit without hundreds of kids running all over the place screaming….

By Becky

May 19, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Yes, there should be places without children..I have twin 5 yo grandchilren & they are very well behaved when we go out to a restaurant..There are still places that we won’t take them, because I know that certain places aren’t right for children..MamaS, you are so right on this.If the parent isn’t willing to make the child mind, mgmt. should step in..

By Behind Enemy Lines

May 19, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

By & large I could echo the comments of “WarriorWoman”. My son has actually always been better behaved that a lot of ‘adults’ I see in a variety of venues.

To the original question though re: “Should the restaurants …” Seems the answer to that one ought to be obvious:

If they want to, then they should.
If not, then they shouldn’t.

Then everyone can voice their approval or disapproval with their dining dollars. The free market would almost certainly provide the answer, and in relatively short order.

By Sarah

May 19, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Children and fine dinning do not mix. If i want to be subjected to your kids I will go to Chuckie Cheeze or whatever the name of the place is. When I dine and want to enjoy my meal and carry on a pleasant conversation I want the restaurant to be void of two things, children and cell phone addicts. There’s not a dimes worth of difference between the two annoying things.

By Sarah

May 19, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Children and fine dinning do not mix. If i want to be subjected to your kids I will go to Chuckie Cheeze or whatever the name of the place is. When I dine and want to enjoy my meal and carry on a pleasant conversation I want the restaurant to be void of two things, children and cell phone addicts. There’s not a dimes worth of difference between the two annoying things.

By Julie

May 19, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

YES!!!

By hurray

May 19, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

most of us would prefer to sit in the non screaming baby section. At one time, IHOP had an enclosed section windowed up-just like the airport-where smokers sat and ate and smoked themselves to the point where you could not see them. this was preferable to the standard-one row difference between choking section and non choking section. I want to eat my meal in peace and not deal with a kid climbing over the seats, making disruptive noise or spilling the drinks and food everywhere. If they want to go to chik Fila or some fast food resataurant like that-fine. But, if I am going to Carrabbas or Provinos or The Palm-I better not hear a screaming baby section. And that goes for cell phone people who think they are too important to not put their phones on vibrate and go out and talk. I don’t give a crab about what is going on in their lives.

By Anonymous

May 19, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

I agree wholeheartedly with this restaurant. I have lived in and around Alpharetta the last ten years and while I LOVE it here for dozens of reasons, this city is the ABSOLUTE worse for parents allowing their little ones to run wild once they are done eating. It amazes me. There is a certain Mexican restaurant up hwy 9 in what is now Milton that I used to frequent until it became utterly impossible to enjoy your meal (esp on the patio) without screaming kids running around. It’s like, as soon as they are done eating, go play! so mom and dad and friends can knock back a few margaritas…it’s amazing to me. I love children, and do not fault the kids at all, they are only doing what mom and dad allow them to do. I just wait for the day a 4 year old runs smack into a waiter coming around the corner and his tray full of food falls on their little one..the will be wanting to sue the pants off the establishment. Parks and playgrounds and your back yard are for your kids to play, NOT a restuarant. Please don’t make MY experience miserable becuase you are too busy downing your tequila to be bothered with your little ones.

By Anonymous

May 19, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

I agree wholeheartedly with this restaurant. I have lived in and around Alpharetta the last ten years and while I LOVE it here for dozens of reasons, this city is the ABSOLUTE worse for parents allowing their little ones to run wild once they are done eating. It amazes me. There is a certain Mexican restaurant up hwy 9 in what is now Milton that I used to frequent until it became utterly impossible to enjoy your meal (esp on the patio) without screaming kids running around. It’s like, as soon as they are done eating, go play! so mom and dad and friends can knock back a few margaritas…it’s amazing to me. I love children, and do not fault the kids at all, they are only doing what mom and dad allow them to do. I just wait for the day a 4 year old runs smack into a waiter coming around the corner and his tray full of food falls on their little one..the will be wanting to sue the pants off the establishment. Parks and playgrounds and your back yard are for your kids to play, NOT a restuarant. Please don’t make MY experience miserable becuase you are too busy downing your tequila to be bothered with your little ones.

By GR

May 19, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Don’t people get the hint that if a resturant has only one or no high chairs that means they would prefer no children in their resturant?
Of course the North Fulton mommies at Pure in Alpharetta still don’t get it, they bring their own kid seats. Get a clue already.

By RCH

May 19, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

I agree their is a time and place for children. I attended a baccalaureate at a local church this Saturday. During a solom service,a family of seven that included four children of ranging of ages 4 to 6 also attended. You can guess how that turned out.Talking,screaming,and crying during prayers,speeches, and songs.

Please hire a sitter

By DeDe

May 19, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

Let’s not limited it to restaurants. I hate going to movies targeted for an adult audience and having to be subjected to crying babies or children walking back and forth to go to the bathroom, especially after 9 p.m. If you don’t have access to a babysitter stay at home.

Once I went to a movie that did not start until 11:30 p.m. a mother had her, what look to be a 5 year daughter in there covering her eyes when it came to the sex scenes and the child kept screaming out “MOMMA MOVE YOUR HANDS!!!”. Give me a break. I have a son. There are times we go to the movies that are age appropriate and to restaurants where he is comfortable. Then there are other times when he has to stay at home. If that isn’t possible, then we both stay at home.

By Grace

May 19, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand the uproar. There are less than 1% of resturants with this practice. I am sure parents can find some where else to go. It’s ashamed that we don’t have more places that ban kids. It doesn’t have to be fine dining. I should not go into an AppleBees at 11pm on a school night & see children in a both.

By DeDe

May 19, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Let’s not limited it to restaurants. I hate going to movies targeted for an adult audience and having to be subjected to crying babies or children walking back and forth to go to the bathroom, especially after 9 p.m. If you don’t have access to a babysitter stay at home.

Once I went to a movie that did not start until 11:30 p.m. a mother had her, what look to be a 5 year daughter in there covering her eyes when it came to the sex scenes and the child kept screaming out “MOMMA MOVE YOUR HANDS!!!”. Give me a break. I have a son. There are times we go to the movies that are age appropriate and to restaurants where he is comfortable. Then there are other times when he has to stay at home. If that isn’t possible, then we both stay at home.

By Kid-free places

May 19, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

I’d pay extra for a kid-free restaurant, airline, movie, etc. An alternative to a business being 100% kid-free would be to offer special days/occasions when children aren’t allowed. For example, restaurants could cater to an adult-only crowd one night each week. How about one Saturday per month where no kids (and thus no baby strollers) are allowed in the mall?

By Michele

May 19, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Yes, some restaurants should have a no-kids policy. The childfree, empty-nesters, and parents out on “date night” should have some options in fine dining without the kids.

For those who think the restaurant management should be enforcing rules of decorum, you’re totally off-base. The kind of person who allows their children to ruin fellow diners’ experience by letting their kids run around, make noise, and throw stuff would not respond kindly to being asked to monitor their children. The scene likely to be made by these “parents” would pale in comparison to the scene their kids made. It’s a lose-lose situation for restaurant management.

I fully encouage parents offended by no-kids rules to take their business elsewhere. Those of us looking for a no-kids environment would EASILY make up for the business lost.

BTW, Downwind Restaurant inside the Peachtree-Dekalb airport has “date night” (no kids allowed) every Friday night after 7pm. It’s not fine dining, though.

By Baba Yaga

May 19, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

So very agreed. We had to suffer through two tables of squawking, squealing toddlers at Kyma Friday night. Screaming children =/= electric clarinet at a paniyiri.

By chb

May 19, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

Small children under 7 snd fine dining don’t go together, especially after 9:00 pm. We often ask the hostess to seat us away from the kids. We will end our meal quickly, no dessert, coffee if there is a disruptive child; and we tell the server why.The restaurant loses money, they need to know patrons are leaving because of the noise. Sometimes,it’s the parents who spend their time yelling at the kids over and over. We got a sitter when ours were young.

By CP

May 19, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

I have 4 kids ages 7, 5, 4, & 2 months. (Yes I’m crazy, but that’s beside the point.) I will not take them out to a fine-dining restaraunt for two reasons. 1) I don’t want them to disrupt others’, and my own, dining experience. 2) I don’t want to have to pay inflated prices for a kid’s meal.

If I want to take them out to eat I can just as well go to McD’s or something equally as kid-friendly. And as far as dining out to encourage proper behavior in public, they can learn not to act like monsters just as well at McD’s as anywhere. They know they have me to deal with if they don’t behave. They’ve learned manners even if they don’t follow them to the “T” at all times. They are kids after all.

By Monica

May 19, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

I have two children, and I think that this is a great idea. I’ll admit that my 4 year old might not be the most pleasant dinner companion. He is still learning the difference between his indoor and outdoor voice. :) However, we do discipline him. Many of our restaurant outings involve a trip to the bathroom! He comes back to the table a bit sucking on his bottom lip, but much quiter. :)

By Mike

May 19, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

People just have to exercise some common sense. I have an 11 month old kid, and I’m simply not stupid enough to try to take him to a fine dining restaurant. There was a time when I could, when all he did was sleep and eat, but now he is non-stop movement, so we just leave him with a sitter or simply go some place that is more “kid friendly.”

By Lu

May 19, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

As a mother of a 4yo & a 6yo I never eat out on “date nights” meaning Fri/sat night. I find sunday after noon to be the best time to eat because most restaurants are slow and almost empty. Funny thing is I sometimes crave the “I want to eat at a nice place without looking at or hearing any kids” too so I totally understand. Unfortunately we can’t make a young child sit and behave for too long and some has to be constantly entertained. I’m all for the “adult only theme” because we all know, we can’t trust every parent to use good judgement.

By Sugar

May 19, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

I think snobby people who do not have children should be banned from some restaurants.

I hate it when I take my kids out for dinner, and there’s some snobby adult talking on their cell phone like they are the only one there. One person taking up an entire table, when me and my kids are trying to get a meal and we have to wait. How selfish. If there’s only one of you, stay home and cook for yourself and don’t hold up the families. I need to get out of the house and I deserve to be waited on. I’be been at home all day long, working and taking care of my kids. Plus the waitstaff will make more money on me and my family, over one lonely diner……

Plus, when I bring the kids, it’s free entertainment for the other diners. Isn’t that why you are out? To be entertained?

By Lauren

May 19, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

By law if they allow smoking then no one under 18 is allowed in. So if you don’t want kids just let in the smokers. Simple. If you don’t like smoke and you don’t like kids, then I guess you are out of luck.

By Republican Party

May 19, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

All children should be welcome in any resturant. Simply nail them to the wall upon entry and collect them on the way out.

By Sunshine

May 19, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

My kids range in age from 19 months to 9 years (I have three) and if we are going to a nice restaurant we ALWAYS leave them home with grandma or a sitter. We do this not only for the other patrons but for ourselves as well. Our kids are quite well mannered and we never let them run around any restaurant, but the baby has her limits and generally starts crying after more than 30 minutes in the high chair and the four year-old gets whiny at the dinner hour. So we only take our kids to places where they will blend and not bother (Taco Mac in Decatur is great for kids!). Also, it is very expensive to take the whole family out to eat. Plus this stay-at-home mom needs a break every once in a while and a date night out with the hubby is not nearly as fun with the kids in tow.

By Meredith

May 19, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

As much as I hate loud and obnxious kids in restaurants, I don’t think it is right to ban them. There should still be a place in society for people to raise their kids to behave in a proper manner. We keep lowering the bar… I think we’re going in the wrong direction.

I do feel that if a child is misbehaving and won’t settle down, it is the parents’ responsibility to leave the restaurant.

By Lauren

May 19, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Sugar, I agree with you about the cell phones, but that’s about it. People who are alone have as much right to eat out as you and another thing, trust me, your kids are not entertaining to anyone except you, maybe. When I am out for a nice evening with my husband, a nice evening out away from my kids who are home with a paid babysitter, and I am looking forward to some quiet adult conversation, the last thing I want is to have to put up with the rude noise of someones child. Heck, that’s what I am out to get away from for a few hours. Now if I am in a family joint, fine, bring your kids, but to a nice restaurant where there is no grilled cheese or french fries on the menu? For adults, sweetie. If you can afford a nice restaurant, and we all know what we are talking about here, then you can afford to get a sitter.

By Jill

May 19, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Why do you think I like the Vortex so much? Good beer selection and no kids!

By dudly

May 19, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Children should not be allowed in any restaurant that your expected to tip your waiter/waitress in.

By Clay

May 19, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

You folks are a riot to read. You all go on and on about “No children should be allowed in fine dining establishments” then you list the restaurants you want to be child free: Carrabba’s, Applebee’s, Provino’s and the neighborhood Mexican restaurant are not fine dining. They are family friendly casual restaurants. They are made for kids. I thought this post was about Morton’s or Veni Vidi Vici, not Applebee’s. If you don’t want to be around children, then you have the issues. You should stay home and make sandwiches if you can’t afford to eat in nice restaurants.

I will give you one thing, though—time is essential. If you have young children, eat at 6:00 so they’re home by 8:00. Don’t drag a kid into a restaurant at 8:45 and then wonder why they get cranky.

We have three children—ages 7, 9 and 11. We have restaurants that we take the kids to and restaurants we don’t. But, if ever the two should happen to meet, we’d do it earlier in the evening.

By Monica

May 19, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

So, there seems to be disagreement on what constitutes fine dining or adult dining. I definitely understand restaruants with a $100 bill for two. How about moderately priced places, like Longhorn or O’Charley’s? (Please forgive my rural ignorance if the aforementioned venues don’t qualify as moderately priced).

By RCH

May 19, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Sugar

I guess you have never spoken to a server,or they were afraid the give you an honest answer. The truth is that serves hate tables that include a couple a youngsters. They require more work,make larger messes, and leave smaller tips as a whole

As well as you ,some of us also work hard all day and”me and my kids” can wait for the next table like the rest of us however preferably at McDonald’s or Chucke Cheese.(etc.)

By getalife

May 19, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

You guys are absolutely absurd. Did any of you happen to remember when you guys were kids? The ones of you going nuts on the board are probaly the very ones that we with small children dislike. You talk loud on your cell phones show no one respect think this world revolves strictly around you. Get a life and think back to when you were a kid. Maybe nice resturants should ban you since you all have attitudes. For those of you who don’t want to be around children that is called a retirement community over the age of 55. For the rest of you GET A LIFE!!! Shame on you AJC for letting Jim Osterman post a blog like this. There are more important issues in the world. For example hungry children oh, yeah wait these are cowards who don’t care for children so, no they wouldn’t be interested in a subject about humility, and feelings. Have you ever thought to be an example to the children they will one day become what you are.

By OhTheDrama

May 19, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have a policy restricting children. Recommended ages are printed everywhere, even places that they shouldn’t be needed. But just when you think age appropriateness is obvious and should go without saying, along comes someone that decides to make everyone brave the punishment for their foolish choices.

Don’t get me wrong, I love have children and have two of my own (6yo and 1yo). But that just means I know for a fact that small children have no busines in high end restaurants. They don’t have one iota of respect of reverence for a fine dining experience. Oftentimes, they don’t eat at all for trying to hurry off to play.

By Eve

May 19, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Some time ago a restaurant manager (I believe it was at Discover Mills) asked a family to leave the restaurant due to an agitated child. The mother took her story to anyone who would listen and parents across Atlanta were up in arms over the incident.

It’s easier to have a no kids policy than to deal with a wronged mother, pitching a fit probably louder than her child.

However, I agree that there are some adults who don’t belong out in public; but I’ve asked waitstaff in the past to be moved to a different table to get away from them - that’s usually when mgmt. steps in to handle the situation.

By OhTheDrama

May 19, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have a policy restricting children. Recommended ages are printed everywhere, even places that they shouldn’t be needed. But just when you think age appropriateness is obvious and should go without saying, along comes someone that decides to make everyone brave the punishment for their foolish choices.

Don’t get me wrong, I love have children and have two of my own (6yo and 1yo). But that just means I know for a fact that small children have no busines in high end restaurants. They don’t have one iota of respect of reverence for a fine dining experience. Oftentimes, they don’t eat at all for trying to hurry off to play.

By Sassy

May 19, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

YES!!!!! {Enuf said}

By La

May 19, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

My husband and I only take our kids to family friendly restaurants. When we want to go to an adult restaurant, we do not take the kids. If we don’t have a sitter, we do not go. What a novel idea. Yeah, some adults are rude and loud, but parents who think their kids can do no wrong are ridiculous. When you have children, you have to realize that there are things that are going to change. Meaning your lifestyle. Suck it up, get over it, and keep it moving.

By Michele

May 19, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

getalife:

Who’s “going nuts” on this board? It’s actually one of the most civil on AJC.

Many of us remember quite well what it was like to be a child and that is EXACTLY why we think forcing a small child to sit still for two hours while the adults enjoy a leisurly gourmet meal is absurd. I have a quite nice life, thank you very much. I never speak on a cell phone inside a restaurant, ever, and DH and I are servers’ dream customers. We always tip 20% (unless there is a major problem), we don’t ask a million questions, we don’t leave cracker crumbs all over the floor, and we aren’t the least bit demanding.

You’re the one with the attitude.

By Karen

May 19, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

There are some children who should be banned from ALL restaurants. Even fast-food establishments are not playgrounds. So many children today scream, run, jump on seats and show other inappropriate behaviors in restaurants. I have 10 and 14 year old boys. Both have been taught from the earliest days what is acceptable and unacceptable conduct in restaurants, stores, etc. If they behaved inappropriately, they were escorted out by me or my husband. Other people shouldn’t have to endure a child’s bad behavior. It is the parent’s responsiblity to teach them how to behave.

By Oh brother

May 19, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

If y’all can’t afford a babysitter, you shouldn’t even HAVE kids. I used to know this complete airhead of a woman whose prenatal sonogram showed her daughter would be a vegetable (mentality of an infant forever.) Not only did she insist on having the monster, but she takes it out to eat wherever they go. The thing is now in preteens or so & the feeding process is so revolting it makes other diners sick to be around that. Parents, if you insist on having something like that, PLEASE be considerate & leave it home..Breeders can be so incredibly stupid.

By BPJ

May 19, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

This is pretty easy, common sense stuff: when we go to a fine restaurant (such as Joel, Aria, or the Dining Room at the Ritz), we don’t take our child, because: (a) the food would be wasted on her, and (b) the meal lasts a long time - that’s part of the pleasure- and kids don’t have that kind of patience.

We have taken our (7 yr. old, well-behaved) daughter to other restaurants. We don’t limit that to places “with chicken fingers on the menu” however. There are plenty of good restaurants which are still kid-friendly, as long as the kids are well-behaved. Recently we took our daughter to FAB for lunch (we wouldn’t have taken her there for dinner), and the experience was wonderful. And yes, we left a good tip.

By Sassy

May 19, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Getalife* I do have a life and I choose it to NOT include ungrateful, disrespectful, and beligerent people and their procreated little ankle biters!!!! No, I don’t dislike children … I have one of my own and have raised him well. He’s respectful and understand there is a time and place for everything.

As for ‘retirement community’ comment … why do you think those communities have come to be. Some people don’t think your little precious is so precious.

By JustMe

May 19, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

For those that ask, the (main) reason why people object to little kids eating is a public resturant is because of the horrible parents. Too many parents have NO BLOODY CLUE how to handle their own kids. So, the kids run amuck and ruin the dining experience for everyone.

If parents could handle their kids, then no rule would be needed.

By Erin

May 19, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

First off, when I was a kid, I was taught how to behave in public and I generally always did. Now, clearly, that’s not the case for all kids … and this blog proves it!

Some proper teaching by the parents and actual consequences for NOT behaving as they should would certainly go a LONG way in helping the situation …

Having said that, I don’t think it’s entirely the fault of the kids. They’re just doing what they’re taught and/or what they KNOW they can get away with. Which is really unfortunate.

At least part of the problem is the dire lack of manners, good behavior, etc., on the part of adults. It’s AMAZING to me to see some of the stuff adults do in public, so can we really fault the kids all the time for similar behavior?

I say whip the adults into shape, teach the kids to behave and the problem will be solved.

By muffin

May 19, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

i was going to mention Downwind Restaurant as well for their Friday night “date night” where no children are allowed. I was not going to recommend the food there. They have a great view of PDK’s runway, a small patio and a bar but the food leaves much to be desired. and it’s EXPENSIVE.

By Duluth

May 19, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

I cannot believe the snobbery in this blog. I have kids, who are very well behaved, and I’ll take them out to dinner whenever and wherever I please.

I work hard, pay my taxes and am very responsible, and take care of me and mine. I’ll be damned if anyone has the oddasity to tell me where I can or cannot dine with my family.

I agree with Sugar there should be restuarants where snobs aren’t allowed, or the holier than thou crowd.

ohBrother with that attitude, please do not have children. You would be a horrible parent. And god forbid you have a disabled child. You have no idea what LOVE really is. Apparently the woman in your story did a self-less thing, and brought a special needs child into this world KNOWING it was a very difficult decision. She should be commended for her sacrifice, not restricted as to where she can go with her child. And I am sure “it” has a name. You are just plain mean!!!!

By muffin

May 19, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Also, Vintage pizzeria in downtown Chamblee has an “adult” side and a “family” side to their restaurant. The side with the flat screen t.v.’s and the larger patio is age 16 and up only. No kids allowed on the patio, no kids period on that side of the restaurant. That is a great idea if you ask me.

By SAR

May 19, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Sugar, the cell phone part of your post was right on center. However the part about a person dining alone not having the right to hog up a whole table as you put it? No one told you to keep having kids, study up on birth control. There’s a wealth of information in regards to the subject. I dine alone at times, without the cell phone and yes I take my time. It’s not my fault you’re stressed out and probably out of shape because of your little strecth marks…errr…I mean your kids. Perhaps it’s you who should stay home and order pizza or open a box of mac and cheese and leave fine dining to fine diners.

By SAR

May 19, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Sugar, the cell phone part of your post was right on center. However the part about a person dining alone not having the right to hog up a whole table as you put it? No one told you to keep having kids, study up on birth control. There’s a wealth of information in regards to the subject. I dine alone at times, without the cell phone and yes I take my time. It’s not my fault you’re stressed out and probably out of shape because of your little strecth marks…errr…I mean your kids. Perhaps it’s you who should stay home and order pizza or open a box of mac and cheese and leave fine dining to fine diners.

By Amy in the ATL

May 19, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

So long as restaurants are privately owned, then yes, the restaurant owners should be able to make their own rules regarding smoking, whether kids are allowed, whether dogs can be on the patio, whether to serve alcohol or not, etc.

I have 2 young children under 4. We do take them out to eat at intown neighborhood restaurants a good bit. But in order to make it more pleasant for all of us, including our fellow diners, we typically go to place with relatively fast service, I bring lots of books and quiet toys for the kids, and we go early before they get tired. Usually all goes well, but when it doesn’t, either my husband or I stays to pay the check while the other quickly escorts the not-quite-so-well-behaving child out of the restaurant pronto to limit the disturbance.

I am a parent, but I do think it’s rude and inconsiderate to let kids run all over a restaurant (not to mention unsafe!) or to scream and cry without being removed from the situation. How are kids going to learn manners if they aren’t taught?

By Stacey

May 19, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

I am a mother of a 7 year old and I wouldn’t have a problem at all with a restaurant not allowing kids. As others have pointed out, those who do not like the adults only policy are free to take their business elsewhere. When I first moved to Atlanta (16 years ago) my apartment complex did not allow children and I LOVED it. That only lasted about a year but it was good while it lasted. Also, some of the bar & grill type places (like Applebee’s and Dave & Busters) did not allow kids after a certain hour (I think was 9:00 pm, but I’m not positive). Back then, smoking was allowed in restaurants so that wasn’t a deterrent.

Incidentally, I rarely eat a buffet restaurants because despite the nearly constant announcements that “children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult in all areas of the restaurant”, I have never been to one where kids didn’t use their hands to serve themselves while the parents sat and enjoyed a leisurely meal.

By JustMe

May 19, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

My dear Duluth (and others)…

Are you saying that you have NEVER been to a fine dining establishment only to have your evening interrupted (and possibly ruined) by a baby that won’t stop screaming? Or, how about a 4 year old that is allowed to wander from table to table grabbing things? Or, how about a 6 year old that wants to talk to everyone in the resturant except for who’s at their table? And, while all of this is happening, the (supposed) parents sit there pretending like nothing is wrong.

If parents could control their kids and teach them manners, there would be no issue and there won’t be this blog. But, the sad reality is that all/most parents don’t do this.

So then, explain to me again, why is it that they have some RIGHT to ruin MY dinner and/or evening?

There are family resturants that cater to all family members. Why shouldn’t there be resturants that cater to adults only?

Let’s settle this now! All adult only resturants need to post one picture of porn! That makes the establishment automatically off limits to children - problem solved and we can finally enjoy our dinner in peace!

By DB

May 19, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

I have no objection to sharing dining space with well-behaved children. Unfortunately, my standards for behavior seem to be a little more sringent that most. It does NOT include allowing a child to squeal at the top of their lungs, to throw parts of their meal helter-skelter, to toss silverware, to wander throughout the restaurant, to wander over to my table and start going through my pocketbook on the floor next to my chair, to run back and forth stealing mints from the host stand, etc., etc. (all of which I have witnessed in the last six months). I earned a dirty look from a mom one day at Olive Garden — I hesitated when the hostess tried to seat me in a booth across from a child in a high chair with food strewn for three feet in all directions around them and who was busy pounding enthusiastically on the table with the silverware. I quietly asked to be seated at a different table.

To answer the question “should they have a no-kid policy” I’d say it was completely up to the restaurant owner to set that kind of policy. If they have an hour-long wait list on Monday night, I think that would indicate they are probably doing something for which there is a demand!

By Oh Brother

May 19, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Duluth, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief to know I do NOT have children. No, that woman was very selfish, she didn’t care about the suffering (that kid is always in & out of ICU due to life-threatening emergencies. The mother knew that when she had her first prenatal sonogram) inflicted on the girl & on the rest of the family. Oh no, she just HAD to breed to show the world that she could get her husband to go near her at least twice. When the parents die, their son will have to take care of the creature. There goes any chance of a life for him. He’s extremely intelligent but do you think his folks can afford to send him to college?? Sorry, but a viable intelligent life trumps that of a useless lump of flesh. Once a group of us, including that selfsame couple, went out to dinner. The mother was feeding her monster. As awlays, more food got ON it than IN it. A young woman at the next table who’d witnessed this suddenly jumped up & hightailed it to the ladies’ room with her hand over her mouth. Care to guess what she was doing??

By JustMe

May 19, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Amy in the ATL You mentioned that you bring quiet toys for your children. That reminded me of an experience I had recently.

I went to get my car serviced one Saturday morning. I had to wait in the waiting room where there was a TV and some newspapers. It was rather crowed in there that particular day.

However, no one could watch TV or read the paper or even do work on the laptop they brought because some inconsiderate mother brought her 3 young boys and toys. These toys had wheels, so the boys were rolling them all over this crowded room, over our feet, up the chairs, and even on top of a strangers head. These toys all made noises - loud and irritating noises.

While the three boys were making everyone miserable, the mother just sat there looking out the window. I could take only about 10 minutes of this and then left the waiting room and took a walk.

Duluth Why was it this mother’s right to make everyone miserable? Why was it this mother’s right to create an atmosphere where no one could watch the TV or read the paper? Why was it this mother’s right to make the waiting room so bad that I had to leave after 10 minutes?

By michelle

May 19, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

without having read any posts so far, i wanted to say this about my recent dining experience.

we had dinner at a provino’s italian restaurant last week and brought our 3 year old. she’s a pretty well-behaved kid but still has issues with the loudness of her voice and sitting still for long periods of time.

the restaurant was not busy at all, in fact we had a rarevparking space right in front of the door.

what bothered me about being there was that the host sat us where everyone else was sat, where there were no other kids. the whole other side of the restaurant was free and clear and we got sat in the middle of the rest of the customers. to me, that was not being considerate of your other customers and this is a family restaurant. i would’ve been mad if i wasn’t there with my child and a family with a little one got sat.

sometimes parents are not the ones to blame. the restaurant should be a little more aware of the volume of people in the room and maybe have a “family section” or something if it truly is a family restaurant.

just my thoughts…

By Ed

May 19, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

oh brother it is obvious you’re gay and dude, that’s cool, go for it. As far as the sonogram and her choosing to have the kid, you know there could be such a test for homosexuality and had your mom had the test and saw your pink gay gene, she could have elected to abort you. You sound like a midtown waiter that lives with three roommates in a two bedroom apartment so you can live within walking distance to the bars. How original. Yawn. Also, your parents are breeders, you know.

By Ed

May 19, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

oh brother it is obvious you’re gay and dude, that’s cool, go for it. As far as the sonogram and her choosing to have the kid, you know there could be such a test for homosexuality and had your mom had the test and saw your pink gay gene, she could have elected to abort you. You sound like a midtown waiter that lives with three roommates in a two bedroom apartment so you can live within walking distance to the bars. How original. Yawn. Also, your parents are breeders, you know.

By h

May 19, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

To all the folks talking about children as if they are life’s little annoyances - please DO NOT have children. Being a parent means becoming selfless and that is a trait many of you simply do not posses. And if i ever caught wind of a restaurant that didnt want to serve parties with children, I would be sure to never spend another cent in there and would spread the word. Word of mouth marketing spreads like wildfire.

By Oh Brother

May 19, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Actually, Ed, I’m a hetero female. Same thing, right? Your post was a tribute to homophobia. No, it’s not the same thing. A gay person can be as intelligent & productive as anyone else. A mental defective cannot. I wish someone would explain to me the purpose of those creatures in this world because I simply do not get it

By Blondsky

May 19, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Oh Brother having kids????? You should be doing stand up comedy who ever it was that wrote that. The guy is gay as a goose, can’t you tell? The last vagina that guy saw belonged to his mother and he was being born. Too funny.

By Blondsky

May 19, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Oh Brother having kids????? You should be doing stand up comedy who ever it was that wrote that. The guy is gay as a goose, can’t you tell? The last vagina that guy saw belonged to his mother and he was being born. Too funny.

By wow

May 19, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

you refer to mentally challenged kids as ‘creatures?’ so it’s one of two things here - a hetero female who either cannot get pregnant so you take the bitter sour grapes route or no one wants to procreate with you. Which one?

By Michele

May 19, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

H- Being a parent means becoming selfless, so this is why parents like Duluth believe they can bring their children “whenever and whereever they please”. Yep, sounds terribly selfless to me!

Try again.

By Ed T

May 19, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

“oh brother” you need to get a life. That woman you talked about has a bigger set than you’ll ever have.

By DYJ

May 19, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

This is rich. Ban kids from the mall? The aquarium? Applebees?? I guess none of you were ever kids. You just came out of the womb a nazi.

By h

May 19, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Yes, whenever and where ever. I’ll say it again, my kids will go with me to eat whenever and where ever. I - the parent - will be the judge of when the kids stay behind. Not the restaurants, not the uptight diners, etc. ME. And you can bet if I leave them behind one night, it is NOT because i give a damn what other diners would prefer.

By sad but true

May 19, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

Of course no one wants to be around noisy kids esp. in a fine restaurant, but the truth is we are a litigious society and having such guidelines has “lawsuit” all over it. And it’s usually the worst offenders who will sue. Some people can dish it out but can’t take it. Very sad when we’re afraid to stand up for decency because someone will sue. Same with barking dogs (which by the way most jurisdictions have rules against so call animal control, you do not have to suffer in silence). Kids can learn valuable lessons about social skills from being taken to a restaurant, but not all parents will take advantage of the opportunity and the rest of us suffer. I read about this Thai restaurant instituting this policy. We’ll see how long before they get sued just trying to provide a pleasant environment for patrons. It’s sad because it’s only the very few offenders but they ruin it for the rest.

By L

May 19, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

I wish oh brothers parents had felt the same way about children as she/he does. The world would be a better place.

By Irresponsible parents ruin it for the others

May 19, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately the offenses of the few ruin it for the many responsible parents such as M who are careful to teach their kids acceptable social skills. Let’s see how long b4 this poor restaurant gets their pants sued off.

By L

May 19, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

I wish oh brothers parents had felt the same way about children as she/he does before they had kids. Or maybe they did feel that way, and that’s why she/he ended up the way they are. Like it or not, we all came from “breeders”, and if it wasn’t for that fact, this world would eventually cease to exist.

That doesn’t give anyone the right to inflict poorly behaved children on the rest of the public. But it’s one thing to dislike a child’s behavior and another to despise the child’s existence.

By Bravo

May 19, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

I think this restaurant has the right idea. In college I worked for a restaurant that had been voted ‘Best Bar’ in my college town. Believe it or not, we still had parents bringing their small children into the establishment!! Not only would they bring their offspring in at hours children should not be out and about, they would often complain about the smoke or noise of other patrons. Several times I pointed out that they were, in fact, in a bar and in return received several nasty looks.

By the by, I received a friend’s wedding invitation last week and at the bottom of the invitation were these words that made me crack a smile: Please no children under the age of 7!!

By Bravo

May 19, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

I think this restaurant has the right idea. In college I worked for a restaurant that had been voted ‘Best Bar’ in my college town. Believe it or not, we still had parents bringing their small children into the establishment!! Not only would they bring their offspring in at hours children should not be out and about, they would often complain about the smoke or noise of other patrons. Several times I pointed out that they were, in fact, in a bar and in return received several nasty looks.

By the by, I received a friend’s wedding invitation last week and at the bottom of the invitation were these words that made me crack a smile: Please no children under the age of 7!!

By Oh Brother

May 19, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Wrong wrong wrong. My “set”, Mr. Ed, is just fine, thank you. I don’t WANT kids. I’m married & practice stringent birth control. I’d love to see all you self-righteous touchy-feelies willingly give up a normal life to be the slave of a vegetable. By the way, just so you know, when I was in school, I was the gal defending all the fat, unattractive, nerdy & unathletic kids when the bullies beat them up. I’ll bet YOU all were the bullies. Hypocrites!

By ATL

May 19, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

The restaurant can do what it wants and suffer the consequences or reap the benefits accordingly.

But is this really an issue for Sandy Springs? The ONLY reason to move to SS is so you can raise kids in a little protective suburban bubble where services and businesses are geared toward families. If Sandy Springs loses that, it really has nothing.

By Sister

May 19, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

I know some of you will come down on me like a ton of bricks, but with that said, I know exactly what “Oh Brother” is talking about. I’m a 40-something lady with a 36-year old sister who was a “vegetable” since birth. My mom passed away some years ago & dad is in a nursing home. I SHOULD have had a chance for some kind of life; I had plenty of boyfriends in high school & my grades were good enough to ensure I’d get into a decent college but, you guessed it, I’m my sister’s caretaker. Sure, I love her, she’s my sister, but I often think of the life I could have had & feel sad that I never married, went to college or had the career I’d dreamed of.

By Tommy

May 19, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

…Mr. Ed, I know exactly who you are- and you’re gay dude!… get your hand out of your pants…

By Tommy

May 19, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

…Mr. Ed, I know exactly who you are- and you’re gay dude!… get your hand out of your pants…

By Jimbo

May 19, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

I remember when I was a kid. My parents hired a sitter when they went somewhere “fancy” and if I misbehaved when we were out we had a “talk” outside. I wasn’t out beyond 9pm except under special circumstances.

That doesn’t happen anymore. Parents don’t have the outside talk.. I hear all the mediation and the pleading with their children to please be good. Are you kidding me?

It’s not even the fancy restaurant. What the hell are parents doing out with their kids at 10pm with their kids downing a pitcher of beer at the Taco Mac?

I DO frequent restaurants that don’t allow kids and if I knew of more I’d frequent those a lot more as well.

I’ll take it one step further, when I was a kid there were apartment complexes and housing developments that didn’t allow children. Currently, I’m thrilled to live in a building with few children and good rules regarding their conduct. No more kids lobbing rocks at the cars in the parking lot until 11pm.

By deegee

May 19, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

PLEEEEZE, do not expect the restaurant staff to counsel parents or otherwise deal with unruly children. You wouldn’t believe the wrath that emanates from the mouth of the militant parents of annoying children. It’s just too painful. If you want the kids to shut up, you tell them. Your server is pretty much numb to the noise, and would like to salvage a tip.

By Jimbo

May 19, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Oh, and one good thing I can say about constantly being surrounded by your unruly spawn.. It reinforces our decision (my wife and I) not to have children almost daily.

That and listening to you people gripe about your kids until they come “under attack” by someone who isn’t you. You don’t like them that much either so don’t pretend I have to.

By Jimbo

May 19, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

Thirdly, kudos to those of you who practice good parenting. Actually I’m friends with a number of you, you know who you are.

By deegee

May 19, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

Jimbo@ 5:15 - too funny! I’ll never forget the stupid mother that was trying to get her 18 month old screamer to please quiet down using some ridiculous verbiage that she must have heard on Oprah. It created a moment of levity during a painful hour of the dining experience from hell.

By Lauren

May 19, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

Duluth, you are right where you belong. First off you don’t know how to spell (oddacity!! really?) second of all that moron always comes on blogs and brings up the person he knows with a genetic defective child. He is not for real. I can’t believe you took that seriously. Please stay in Gwinnett where rudeness and stupidity run wild and free.

By catlady

May 19, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

I ask to be moved if I am being seated in an area that already has children up to age 10. If they are seated after me, I am prepared to leave (if I have not been served) when the action starts, or I will sit through the dinner and then speak to the manager afterwards. I do not punish the server. I know they would prefer to avoid many of the kid ruled families. I tell the manager that I will not be back, and why.

It is nice to know there are so many self-admitted good kid’s parents out there. How come you don’t eat where I do?

When my kids were little if they had issues at the table (talking loud, being restless) I took them outside so my husband could finish the meal. I didn’t miss too many meals, however. That went for all restaurants where someone served us.

Just as annoying as out of control kids and loud cell phone talkers is those who have had too much to drink and are feeling a little too loud and cheerful, or they are making sexual comments. I call over the manager on those. Kudos to a server named Chris 10 years ago at Canton who stepped in, without being asked, when some men were making sexual comments about my 17 year old daughter. I was not there, but her big sister was about to go at them with a steak knife. I never did call the manager to compliment him, but I should have.

Thanks to all the servers who put up with a lot of S*.

By FBG

May 19, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

I totally agree with this. I have often wondered why there weren’t more establishments like this. Once I ate at a restaurant in FL which had a “family seating” room and that was nice. That way all the ruckus is kept confined among themselves.

By cofthenight

May 19, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Absolutely. I’m the mom of a 2 year old, and we just don’t go out too much right now. (Unless, it’s you know… CiCi’s Pizza…) My son can get too rowdy and I’m not going to subject others to that or embarrass myself. We’ll go out more when he gets older. But no, we never try to take him to a nicer restaurant. That’s just crazy. Going out to eat is not that important to me, it can wait a few years.

By Clay

May 19, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this

This gets better—first we want no kids at Applebee’s and now we want the kids banned from such fine dining establishments as Olive Garden! That sham (by sham I mean “microwave” Italian food versus the real thing) family style restaurant is working hard to get families in there. There are more family friendly restaurants out there than Olive Garden and Applebee’s.

Before anyone else tries to ban children from other casual, family friendly restaurants, I will list other restaurants that are neither fine dining nor looking to turn away children:

Red Lobster Ruby Tuesday Chili’s Ted’s Outback Longhorn Johnny Carino’s

Basically, if they offer a Children’s Menu then children are just as welcome as any adult. If you don’t want to eat around children, then you go elsewhere. You and your high horse are the problem.

By Frequent Flier

May 19, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

You bet I’d pay extra for a child-free dining experience! My husband and I rarely eat out but when we do, we always ask the host or hostess for a table as far away from small children as possible for a reason.

We’ve seen too many near-misses between small children running around and waitstaff balancing trays full of hot food and/or glass stemware (which become sharp objects when broken). Their so-called parents are then the FIRST to start hollering when their precious darling gets 2nd degree burns because they ran into a waiter carrying a bowl full of scalding hot soup. Anyone remember the child who was injured at the Chinese restaurant up in Gwinnett County a month ago? How much do you want to bet that child was running around the restaurant? I just wish there were some public service announcement that showed a child who was horribly disfigured from a burn as the result of running around in a restaurant with a message to the tune of, “Do not let your child run around in a restaurant or this could happen to them!”

By Kelly

May 19, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

Restaurant staff should not be responsible for the guests’ children. They’re not there to babysit your little annoying turds (they’re there to give you food for you to stuff your gullet with). Keep track of your kids or leave them at home.

By Jeff in Roswell

May 19, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this

There is a restaurant at Chateau Elan that is no children under 6? 12? I don’t know, anyway, it’s so damn expensive that I wouldn’t take a child into it anyway. We went to Outback the other night. We know going in that it’s going to be loud and busy. We still try to control Jr. - it’s an ongoing process to teach him restaurant etiquette. Anyway, he was pretty decent but I tell you what… we had this woman that came to talk to someone in the booth behind me and she was annoying as he!!. She talked nonstop and LOUD. I don’t want to hear about all of your children and all of their activities that they are involved in. She was oblivious to the world around her. What a PITA. It’s just not children that are annoying.

By Curb your mutant spawn

May 19, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

When I go out to eat, part of my dining experience is the food, part is the ambiance. Ambiance includes the restaurant and the surroundings. I do not want to experience the training of your spawn to dine out in public. Take it to an establishment that capitalizes on out of control spawn learning social graces. I’m not getting a discount on my tab for tolerating your human monkey climbing on the back of the booth that you occupy. Keep your spawn in an appropriate establishment until it can behave. Belive me, I have no problem telling off parents or the restaurant manager for the degridation of the dining experience that I am paying for.

By No Name Yet

May 19, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

I would love to see adult only restaurants. I feel sorry for the parents that DO make their children behave but they are vastly outnumbered these days.

How about some compromising? All children under 10 out by 8? Maybe train the host/hostess that they should not seat seniors or couples next to families with small children!

I can’t tell you how many time my husband and me are led to a table that is surrounded with little kids. Like catlady- On many of these occasions we have refused and asked for another table.

By Grace

May 19, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

CLAY, go back & read my statement about Applebee’s at 1:47. I stated that It doesn’t have to be fine dining. My next sentence was, I should not go into Applebee’s at 11pm on a school night & see kids in a booth (like I did 2 months ago).

I specificly wrote that Applebee’s was NOT fine dining.

By Alecia

May 19, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

The biggest restaurant annoyance is the bitter people that come into the play area at McDonald’s and get upset when it is too loud to talk on the cell phone. I have a 5yr old, and we go out to eat often. We only go to nicer restaurants on special occassions. She has been taught to behave. I only had to take her out to the car a few times when she was smaller, and that was it. My daughter is quick to point out misbehaved kids and rude loud talking adults. The other week we were at the Macaroni Grill and she said “Mommy I cannot hear you because that old man is yelling on his cell phone.” Irregardless of the type of restaurant parents need to teach their kids manners. At the same time we all need to be a little more considerate. Munchkins are not the only ones that ruin a dining experience.

By Brock

May 19, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

I remember when I was a kid, and I also remember that except when we were on vacation, we very rarely ate at restaurants until I got older. A pizza place, Gigi’s if you old Atlanta types remember it, was a fond memory. My mother actually cooked meals for me and my brother at home. Parents, you should try that; it’s cheaper and you won’t run into any bitter kid haters there!

I really am bothered at lunch in a sit-down restaurant and loud kids are there with their obvious stay at home moms. My one hour away from the stress of the office ruined. Moms, you can’t make the kids a sandwich before the run to Wal-mart? And then you have to take them to a sit-down restaurant instead of McD’s?

I regret the ban on restaurant smoking; I used to ask to sit there, not to smoke, but to buy some distance.

By CDog

May 19, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

Restaurants that serve alcohol should be forced by law to ban kids. Acceptance of alcohol as okay at a young age is what leads to alcoholism later on in life.

By Scott Tenorman

May 20, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this

Children should not be banned from restaurants. They should be captured, cooked into the food and then served to their sorry parents.

By mom3boys

May 20, 2008 6:54 AM | Link to this

Year ago I took my 3 along with 3 others I had for the day out to lunch to a sit-down restaurant (not fancy, just Greek pizza place). A couple was about to be seated near us, and I could tell they wanted to ask for the “no kid” section. They looked apologetically at me and said, “sorry…we are done w/ our own and don’t enjoy eating around rowdy kids…not that yours are, but there’s the potential.” I told them I didn’t care, my parents would do the same. After they finished eating they came up and told me how impressed they were with my table of guys, and they had behaved very nicely. I explained they weren’t ALL mine…just half of them. The point is, if people want to enjoy a kid-free meal, why not? High-end restaurants should do this…not the “family” places that flank the mall. Now that the boys are pretty well grown and 2/3 are gone, I’d enjoy a quiet meal in the kid-free section.

By Sarah

May 20, 2008 6:59 AM | Link to this

I definitely think there are restaurants that shouldn’t allow children. Children aren’t expected to behave today. Everything they do is “cute” and they are just being “children”. No one wants to listen to a screaming child while trying to enjoy a meal. Yes, a few parents do try to teach them to behave but most don’t. I see nothing wrong with respecting the wishes of other patrons. Leave them at home, or better yet, actually cook a homecooked meal for the kids. Let the rest of us dine in peace.

By Dave

May 20, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this

I think there are LOTS of places kids should be banned. Fine hotels are another place that I do not want to hear or see your children.

By cy

May 20, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

Yes. There are restaurants that kids do not belong in. It may sound horrible to say, but nothing worse than a kid stuck in a place with out anything they want to eat, temper fits, and usually the places they do not belong are also a little late for bed time. i think that it should be understood that children under the age of about 10 should not be allowed in restaurants with dress codes. This is the places where adults go to get away from just that.

i should also say that i think kids need to be exposed to correct table behavior by going to restaurants….but maybe during a lunch or maybe just down scaled restaurants until they learn to act right.

By cy

May 20, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this

Dear Sugar-

get a grip. i was a floor manager for over a decade. Trust me your opinion that everyone wants to be entertained is just b.s. One child acting out, even in a cute matter, can empty a dinning room of guest that would have sat and enjoyed themselves and would have had much larger tabs than what you and yours can do in a week. Families do not tip as well. They are not drinking. They are picky, which slows the kitchen causing other guest problems.

I myself originally wanted kids until watching this day in and day out. They do not belong their and they are ruining business for the establishment.

As to why most managers do not step in and do something. It is simple. They are toooooo busy trying to savage the damage that has already been done by you thinking everyone wants a night out with your kids.

And after reading what you wrote. The next time I go to enjoy a nice dinner, if I should run into someone with your frame of mind. I will simply hog my table as long as possible using my cell phone. Or I will simply come to your table and take a survey of the customers that would like for the kid at table 5 to hit the bricks.

Grow up and realize that people come there as an oasis not a pony ride.

By Concerned

May 20, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this

I find a cell phone co-dependent just as annoying as kids when I am trying to have a meal. Can you not just thumb through a magazine and at least pretend to be reading and not yak with someone the entire time? I know it would be a stretch to expect you to bring a a book with you but why constantly feed your co-dependency? Spare others the godawful boring details of your life, trust me….no one wants to hear it, not even the poor soul you’re holding captive on the other end of the conversation. Hang up, read and stfu.

By Not interested in hearing your kids

May 20, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this

Unless the restaurant has a playground on site, your unit should, at all times, be seated and not crying or screaming. “Family style” restaurants are a place to take your family, not a pack of human monkeys. Neither the price of the meals at the restaurant or the hour of the day is the determining factor on how loud your kid can be.

By Childfree and happy

May 20, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Procreators: Your rugrats are NOT cute. They are loud, sloppy, disrespectful & annoying. If you lazy, selfish, entitlement stay-at-home mom parasites were out in the REAL world, you’d see how a human being is supposed to act, but no, you’re too busy being pampered & supported by some fool of a man. And in response to “Oh Brother”, I kind of agree. If anything, useless vegetables should be used as a source of organ donors. At least they’d serve a purpose, aside from being a societal drain & causing folks to throw up

By Cheryl Norwood

May 20, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

I agree with the comment about adults only hotels—are even adults only floors in a hotel. If parents controlled their kids better and taught them to respect others, it wouldn’t be so bad. A kid is not just “being a kid” when he runs screaming down a hallway early in the morning or late at night (and why was he doing that after 10pm???). We went to Outback late one night while traveling, around 9pm and stood in line with people with BABIES. One of them cried nonstop during our meal. When the serving staff did nothing, we asked for our meal to be put in boxes and we ate in the car. And don’t try giving people dirty looks when their little angels act out—we did that once when a toddler was screaming his head off and the mother actually said out loud “some people just hate kids”. This was at a linen table cloth upscale restaurant. I don’t hate kids—just ones who scream or kick my seat or nearly knock me down.

By cy

May 21, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this

After rereading this today…..let’s all agree on the following:

1. Children do not belong in certain places. They do not want to be there and will ruin it for others. Or they may be exposed to things not made for little eyes or ears.

2. People who do not have children have no tolerance to them. We have made a decision to not be part of that society. We do not want to hear, see, or smell your baby any more than week old roadkill.

3. Show some respect. We are often the ones that still pay full price for a less than desirable experience when it is mangled by your child. We do ask you to pay for damages done to that.

4. Take control of your kids. I would have been beaten alive for a lot of the actions you guys call cute. And I am better for it. There is a reason why Supernanny and like shows are on t.v. it is to educate you. stay home and watch them with you coveted demons.

As to the hotel floor idea. Well said. I think it should be an option.

As to the cell phone dependent. I hate when I have to take a call and will often step outside to do such. I think that should be the norm.

As to single person tables. Bravo! Everyone has done it at some point. Sometimes it is much need and deserved oasis. So, worn out mommies be aware. It can be like someone disturbing your bath or that one luxury thing you have. we are not going to rush it just because some is in the wrong place.

By thankful

May 21, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

What’s the name of the restaurant so that I can call and make a reservation?

By Derek Korn

May 21, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Can we move to something more important like: why are we allowing the removal of so many beautiful trees in Sandy Springs? Has anyone else noticed the wonderfully remodeled Sandy Springs Plaza and the subsequent tree removal on that property along Roswell Road? what about the huge oak tree on Gallery 63 property that shadowed Marshalls and the senior center? Who is suppose to be monitoring this. I understand the developement aspect(we absolutley need another Walgreens) but why cannot we, as a community, have any input? There is no continuity and no control in this field. We just let these developers bulldoze right over us.

By Magenta

May 24, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Here’s where the problem originated, IMO: The proliferation of fast-food establishments and their non-stop advertising. McDonald’s is such a cultural icon — we all know that’s where you take your kids, and then send them over to the playground to let off steam while you have another cup of coffee. And after 30-some years of this being so familiar, the kids who grew up with it now have their own kids and they think ALL eateries are set up that way. You eat while your kids play. That’s the problem Anonymous described in the earlier post about the Mexican restaurant with the patio.

I wish there could be a public service campaign that would “reprogram” parents about the difference between a real restaurant and a kiddie eat-and-play.

By Isabel

May 27, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

ood luck Mr. Geraud! Thank you for respecting adults.

I wish we had adult only restaurants here in New York City. It is so nice to hear that, in kid-obsesses America, there is an adult friendly refuge called Red Thai Room, where patrons can spend a nice evening undisturbed by someone’s kid. I wish I lived closer…

To all entitlement minded, selfish parents: there are million of restaurants that allow your brats. Why don’t you go to cause nuisance over there?

By Isabel

May 27, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

ood luck Mr. Geraud! Thank you for respecting adults.

I wish we had adult only restaurants here in New York City. It is so nice to hear that, in kid-obsesses America, there is an adult friendly refuge called Red Thai Room, where patrons can spend a nice evening undisturbed by someone’s kid. I wish I lived closer…

To all entitlement minded, selfish parents: there are million of restaurants that allow your brats. Why don’t you go to cause nuisance over there?

By Isabel

May 27, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

ood luck Mr. Geraud! Thank you for respecting adults.

I wish we had adult only restaurants here in New York City. It is so nice to hear that, in kid-obsesses America, there is an adult friendly refuge called Red Thai Room, where patrons can spend a nice evening undisturbed by someone’s kid. I wish I lived closer…

To all entitlement minded, selfish parents: there are million of restaurants that allow your brats. Why don’t you go to cause nuisance over there?

By Gabe

June 1, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

What do you propose, der fuhrer, i mean “Oh Brother”? Gas them all? Exactly the first act of the holocaust that hitler undertook, to kill off the mentally handicapped. Who else do you hate? Any particular races you don’t like either? Apparently you don’t understand that most of the time, sonograms aren’t certain, they only give you a probability of a diagnosis, and many times, the child is born healthy. Some parents aren’t able to terminate the life of their unborn child based on a “percentage”. Notice I said child, not it.

It seems some people here forget that children are humans. You are entitled to feel that children should be disciplined and perhaps even have a quiet place to stay, but remember that child is a human. How would you like it if someone referred to you, members of your race, your gender, your sexuality as its? Is there any difference? Third, for those using derogatory terms for parents, it takes parents and children to sustain humanity. Watch “Children of men” and see what would happen if there were no parents. What are you achieving for humanity? So please, while you have the right to criticize parents of undisciplined children, realize that there are many parents who work hard to raise and discipline their children who are sacrificing to produce the next generation of humanity. I respect your choice to not have children, so respect me for having children and do not judge without knowing me and my child.

By Jared

June 24, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

You are totally within your rights to desire a place away from children. My wife and I feel the same way.

Unfortunately most times this desire is brought on by today’s poor excuses for parents. They are rude, thoughtless of others around them, and bring their children with them everywhere they go whether it’s appropriate or not.

There is nothing like a screaming child at the movie theater or behind you at your favorite Italian restaurant. What makes it even better is the “parent” who sits there talking to their peers while Jr. makes all the noise he/she wants and they just ignore the kid completely. I guess they figure that since they are used to it that the rest of us are too.

We went to a movie a few weeks back, rated R, Aliens vs. Predator..ie. blood, guts, language, the works and unsuprisingly there were several families there in the theater WITH babies and children who had to be no older than 6 years.

What is with these people???

By Jared

June 24, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

Marie, you did your friends and everyone else there a disservice by not telling your friends how you felt and pointing out their unruly child to them.

If they are really your friends then they would respect your opinion and think on it.

By Hospitality Major

November 30, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

I’m in shock at how many people here seem to think that it is the responsibility of the restaurant workers/mgmt to tend to disruptive children. Parents should be doing this! Ok, I understand that there are extreme cases when mgmt must step it. I am a college student studying Restaurant Management- I actually stumbled upon this blog while researching the topic of adult only restaurants for an assignment-Obviously many of you have never worked in a restaurant before. Servers are given a certain section of tables. Hosts rotate guests to each server. Its just the luck of the draw where you end up being seated. Trust me there was no malicious intent to ruin your dining experience! If you politely ask to sit elsewhere it is usually understandable but please realize that there is a rotation and that server just missed a table therefore missing a tip… if every person who comes in asks to be moved elsewhere because of an unruly child in the section then the server is being punished when it isn’t their fault at all. Kids are great; I’m an aunt of 5! But, kids are also messy, often noisy, and disturbing at times as well. The server would most likely much rather have a couple who are neat, quite, and pleasant to wait on. This applies in ANY type of restaurant. So please regardless of whether you have children or not, agree or disagree with adult only restaurants, know that it is RARELY the fault of the server or hosts… trust me, they’re just trying to pay their way through school and have enough left over for some Ramen Noodles for dinner!