Table Talk

By sandy

October 15, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

The article is unclear about the high chairs, so I offer two viewpoints:

1) If the restaurant has no high chairs, then it is not for children. Go somewhere appropriate.

2) If the restaurant DOES have high chairs, but all of the high chairs were already in use…well, learn to bring your own in the car (maybe collapsible?) or go somewhere less crowded. How many high chairs should a restaurant have “just in case” they are needed? 10? 25?

I don’t understand this complaint. Why should any restaurant have high chairs? Unless it is Chuck E Cheese or some low budget place. Parents, must you so often think that you are entitled to the rest of the world accommodating your spawn in every way? If the restaurant has no high chairs, it is not kid friendly. So what??????????

By cara

October 15, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

I’ve never had that happen but I would never eat there if that were the case. It’s your money and you don’t have to spend it where people treat you or your family like crap. I’d probably cause a big scene if I felt like someone that worked at a restaurant didn’t show my parents respect. A down home beat down would be on the way!!!

By Chuck

October 15, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

YOUR CHILDREN DO NOT NEED TO GO TO NICE RESTAURANTS WITH YOU!!! PARENTS, PLEASE START ACTING APPROPRIATE TOWARDS YOUR CHILDREN!!! RESERVE NICE ‘DATE” NIGHTS WITH YOUR HUSBAND OR WIFE, GET A SITTER AND THEN VISIT THE RESTAURANT!!! STOP RUINING THE EXPERIENCE FOR YOURSELF OR OTHERS!!!! HAVE A FRIEND OR A REALATIVE STAY WITH YOUR CHILD, OR CALL A SERVICE!!!! IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT, THEN THAT’S JUST GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOMETHING YOU GAVE UP TO HAVE CHILDREN, SORRY, DEAL WITH IT!!!

By cara

October 15, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

Chuck and Sandy,

They were having burnch after church. What restaurant would serve a brunch that is not appropriate for families??? It’s BRUNCH!!! Not Date Night.

By Loise Kent

October 15, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

What an interesting question!

As the mom of a 3 year old and a former server I am of two minds about the issue.

As a server, I noted that certain segments of society did not tip well. Mom’s with kids were one. And to be fair, the other known low or no tippers were black citizens.

As a parent, I have noticed that when I go places with my kids, servers automatically assume I am not going to tip, so they give bad service.

Which is a shame, because as a former server, I tip very well, regardless of whether or not my kids are with me.

By kgm

October 15, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Not all restaurants HAVE to cater to families of young children, especially those who require a high chair. The solution to this is very simple….a little preparation goes a long way. Yes…I know that you are a parent…but you made your bed. Now you have to lie in it. Now…first, decide on which restaurant you will go eat at, second, place a call to that restaurant to see if they have children’s menu or high chairs. If they have one or neither, then simply say ‘thank you’ and hang up the phone. Then you find a place that does have high chairs and that caters to families of young children. Good manners start at home. And too many people (childed and childfree alike) are subject to too many bad public behaviours from children. Yes, I know that they are children, but they are also capable of learning(no matter how young)how to behave properly and that starts at home and with discipline from the parents. If this does not apply to you then don’t take it personally. But If you insist on going out to a nice restaurant where you know that there will be some issue with your children…get a sitter, that way you and your husband (or mate) can enjoy a nice evening and ‘break.’ At the same time, your children can be in an environment where they can be children, not little adults with short attention spans.

By younggeezer

October 15, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

I’m a senior but don’t look or act much like the stererotype, so I find that I’m treated rather well by servers at most restaurants. I tip well when I am because I’ve been there myself. However, I’ve noticed just the opposite behavior towards other patrons who appear older or infirm, especially by younger staff. IMO managers would do well to remind their employees that seniors are valuable patrons because they have the discretionary income to spend on meals and tips, or else they wouldn’t be there. Also, they offer more repeat business opportunities, which can mean better tips for a server who they know will treat them well. Lastly, one day the young ones will be collecting Social Security themselves (we hope). How would they like to be treated when they’re in their 70s?

To sum it up, in the hospitality business it’s just smart to treat everyone like a guest in your home. You never know where your next great party tip will be coming from.

By Bert

October 16, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

Funny you mention that, Lois. I’m black and I now know why the service I receive at rewtaurants is so poor. I think I tip well (start and 20% and you have work hard to screw thngs up enough for it to drop below that), but I’ve had enough experiences where I think I’ve offended the server based on his/her attitude. I guess they see me and assume that I won’t tip so they serve me accordingly. I suppose the answer is to tip based on actual service and not perceived customs. Thanks for “tipping” me off to this issue.

By Glenn

October 16, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

I have never encountered any restaurant not having some type of chair for small children..Nor have I encountered any restaurant not being respectful of the older generation. So I don’t know where you are eating ?. I think most restaurants in the Atlanta area have very professional and caring staff. These people work hard to please their customers. Keep up the good work.

By Becky

October 16, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this

I agree that if they didn’t have highchairs, it wasn’t a place for children. Loise, I have had that happen to me also. When I take my 5yo grand children to a restaurant to eat, I usually get pretty bad service (by younger wait staff). What they don’t know is that they cheat themselves out of a very good tip..I’ve waited tables, cooked & bartended, so I always leave a good tip, when the service warrants it..Not only that, but we always stack the plates together & clean the table.

By Cyndi

October 16, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this

This is one of NUMEROUS reasons why I do not dine outside of our home.

The younger generation is extremely rude, and were not instilled with morals by their greedy parents, the same parents who were raised in the “Me First” generation.

I cannot stand restuarant food, restaurant service, nor tipping for my food. I much prefer to stay at home with Hubby, who also loves to cook, eat my own food, which is grown in the garden, and I don’t have to put up with rude servers; or cooks from another country, or paying $30+ for a meal for two. We have saved TONS of money by eating at home.

By Leon

October 16, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

A friend and I went to a local resturant in Roswell. I am a 27 year old Male, and she is a 29 year old female. I will admit we look younger than are age, but not young enough for what was to come. She ordered a margarita and I had a glass of Wine. We were carded, and thats fine… But our server thought we had fake ID’s…. SO then the manager came out and asked to see them again, so we gave them to him… He looked at them for a good 5 min.. Now granted both were out of state ID’s…If I was going to have a fake ID why would I make myself 27, or her 29.. And then go onto order a glass of wine? I understand they were being cautious, but I thought that was a little overboard. We almost got to the point where we got up and left, cause it was going on and on and on… And being watched and watched and watched. I am glad I look so young to them… But come on people, find something better to do with your time. I don’t spend time making fake ID’s… Thanks PeachTree Diner in Roswell.

By Dave the First

October 16, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

When I waited tables I wanted to discriminate against teenagers. They were the worst tippers.

Regarding children - Its a hard balance, because most of today’s children have not been given any boundaries due to poor parenting skills.

If a man was drunk and making lots of noise and irritating others he would be arrested, but some children who are being even more annoying than a belligerent drunk seem to get a free pass.

At least the parent needs to leave the scene with the disrupting child.

By Restaurant owner

October 16, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

I own a local independent restaurant, and quite frankly, we simply don’t cater to children. My target is middle-aged adults with discretionary funds, and the environment, food, and overall atmosphere do not lend themselves to children. Conversely, Chuck-E-Cheez is perfect for children but not that attractive to me…so I don’t go there. I don’t feel “discriminated against” by Chuck-E-Cheez or the fact that they don’t specifically cater to my desires (cold beer, loud jukebox, drunk women, etc.) It’s just not the place for me to get what I’m looking for, and my establishment is not the place for parents with their children to get what they need. It’s very simple, and as a previous poster pointed out, I don’t see why parents have to assume their young mammals should be welcomed at each and every public venue! If mine doesn’t meet your needs, then take your business away from me and go elsewhere.

By jm

October 16, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

I have noticed that some restaurants will habitually try to seat single women and groups of women near the kitchen or the door of their place. Women have been unfairly targeted as poor tippers. Word to restauranteurs: if you treat women as poor customers, they won’t reward bad service. I also think sit-down better restaurants should have separate dining rooms for no-kids clients. We’re tired of our evenings out being ruined by screaming brats!

By Anon

October 16, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

Last I heard, this was still a free country, and I will take my kids/spawn/young mammals anywhere I damn well please. If high chairs are not provided, then they shall sit in my lap.

If you don’t want to give me good service, then I will not tip. I also will NOT frequent an establishment where the server chases you out of the restaurant, because you didn’t leave the rude obnoxious server a tip.

Nothing says tacking like a server chasing you out of a restaurant.

By Disgusting

October 16, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this

A restaurant that is not for children, are you freakin serious, it will close soon enough. I do not care what the restaurant is, anybody should be allowed unless it is designed for a specific age group that has reasons for no children, like a night club. I have seen rude and ridiclous married couples I want to punch in the face when I am out, because they get on my nerves but I do not because I try to lead a christian life. For those of you who want to make an excuse for bad children for not letting them in, get a life moron and go to a night club and have your waste of a life meal there. Children wether bad or not are God’s children and I am glad they are here no matter if they act bad or not, and if they bother you, say something to the parents or owner of the rest. like I have and then in every circumstance I have had it was taken care of. I mean rest. make a killing off of childrens menus, and I should not be penalized because I want to have children who will end up taking care of the ignorant morons on this blog.

By GeezGuys

October 16, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this

If the restaurant had no high chairs, was the staff supposed to knit one or run over to Wal-Mart?

Restaurant Owner: You go gir—-uh, person. People expect every restaurant to cater to their kids, some don’t. That’s not discrimination. If a patron can’t hold their own body in an unrestrained and upright position, the management has no responsibility for helping them do it. Now you have people like cara upthread threatening beatdowns and big scenes like her family is being washed across the pavement by Birmingham FD hoses.

Pick venues appropriate to your family and eat there. Is that so hard for some of you?

By Jess

October 16, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

I really don’t understand why some of you get so upset and hostile over this issue. I don’t have children but I am not bothered when they are in a restaurant. Now, sometimes children are out of control in a restaurant but that can’t be the case every time you dine out. What does bother me is when parents allow the children to either run around near their table or allow the kids to stare over the booth at other tables, stuff like that. The kids should remain in their seats.

On another note, as a former server, I can’t say I was discriminatory towards children at my tables BUT more parents then you think let their children leave huge messes at the table when they leave. It is common sense that if your child destroys the floor under the table with food then the parents should make some attempt to clean the majority of the mess.

By Cyndi Go Home and Eat

October 16, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

Cyndi

Why do you persist upon blogging daily about how you prefer to eat at home with your ‘hubby’ on restaurant and local dining blogs? Do you hope to sway public prefernece to experience new tastes prepared by talented, trained chefs?

Your continued posts seem out of place as much so if I were to go to Panda Watch blog daily to announce I could care less about the fact that Zoo Atlanta has a baby panda bear. I know that the otters and orangutans are the best animals to visit at ZA anyway.

By JJ

October 16, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Well here we go again. Parents vs. non-parents. You people without kids really think you are the authority on raising them don’t you.

Every time the AJC runs one of these blogs, the hatred really comes out.

Now my advice to the non-parents in tis blog, go to a restaurant APPROPRIATE for adults, not kids. I believe they are called “Adult Entertainment” or Strip Clubs. I can almost promise there will be no children in the venue. Or simply stay away from “Family” restaurants altogether, such as every establishment around the Mall of GA.

If you don’t like kids, then stay home.

And last, but not least, let’s try and remember that we were all kids at one point in our lives. Get used to it, they aren’t going away.

And, one more thing, theseobnoxious kids that you can’t stand, will some day be taking care of you!!!!

By GeezGuys

October 16, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

Well,the comments here illustrate just who has the uncontrolled screaming kid who throws food everywhere.

If you’ve been chased out of a restaurant that is indeed tacky, but not on the server’s part.

By Mom

October 16, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this

Chuck - If I want to take my children to a “nice” restaurant and I can afford to feed them there, that is my business. I’m sick of bitter adults who don’t like children thinking that those of us who love children should hide them at home for your convenience.

My children are VERY well behaved. They know how to go into a restaurant and sit still, eat over their plate, clean up the mess they make (if there is one), speak in polite tones and not disturb other diners.

Your beef should be with parents of undisciplined children, not with ALL CHILDREN. There are restaurants all across the metro Atlanta area that I have taken my children to and we have frequently been complemented on their behavior.

Lastly, my children are entitled to know what a good meal is and frankly if you don’t like the little ones so much, maybe you are the one who should stay home.

By Grow a Pair

October 16, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

JM

Seating near the kitchen, front door in Winter, or rest rooms is given to spread seating among servers fairly and to sometimes place those who do not look like they would protest.

If you do not want to sit in a particular location ask for another. You may have to wait or be requeued, but at least you will not be setting in the worst area of the restaurant. Stand up for yourself.

By Steve

October 16, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

My wife and I recently dined in Midtown at one the the simi-trendy places that probably cater to a twenties and thirties crowd, we’re mid fifties. The male waiter seemed less than impresed to see us seated in his station. Most of his other tables were young males with whom he was very animated with and very attentive to. He was short with us and we received only minimal basic service. Both of our glasses were empty of our beverages, just ice, and he asked us if we wanted a refill. I think it’s safe to assume a patron wants a glass of beverage to go with their meal. I’d like to add we’re not hayseeds that drove the wagon into town to sell a pig and decided to eat out for the first time in decades. We’re both professionals, both earning six figure incomes. After taking his attitude throughout dinner and just before the check was delivered I had to tell him how I felt about the service. The look on his face was priceless after I told him if I had to suck up to someone to hopefully get a fifteen to twenty per cent tip and I needed rent for my two bedroom apartment that I shared with three roommates, I’d do a little better job than he did with us. Still, I tipped him twenty per cent; I felt he deserved this for listening to me tell him how I felt about his hauty, unwarranted attitude.

By FutureDad 2008

October 16, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

ALL

I will be a dad soon and I know the pains of screaming children. Howver, I experience this more on airlines than in restaurants.

My experience with nice restaurants is that children are never present. ‘Nicer restaurant’ is subjective as some may consider Applebees a nicer restaurant, where I would immediately think of Bacchanalia, Sotto Sotto, etc. I think if your inclination is gravitated towards the mean then you probably do experience this moreoften, much like my coach class travels are often accompanied by the hours long screeching of sick, hungry or frightened babies.

I have witnessed the good parents who either make considerable efforts to clean up the mess left by a youngster and pay handsomely the server who has to clean the remainder. This is a socioeconomic trait and obviously not the norm amongst the overlapping demographics in this city or elsewhere.

If I take my child out to a restaurant, I will most likely patron one that is more upscale than an Applebees, but one that is also appropriate for children, who will by nature make noise and make messes. I will also have the appropriate amount of money to tip Servers who wait on my table for the less-than-ideal guest setting and thank them for their service.

The point is Tip, Patronize where appropriate, and be friendly and appreciative. It will be a good life lesson to pass along to my child nonetheless.

By Janine

October 16, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

I think children are okay in the right restaurant. My hubby and I were having dinner in Houston’s one night and there was a baby crying loudly. It was around 8 or 9 in I remember correctly and the band was still playing. It was awkward because the child was disrupting the music but the parents didn’t seem to care. They probably have learned to tune it out, lol. Other than that I don’t mind kids when it is the right place.

To the poster that says that wait staff expect both women with children and blacks to be poor tippers, well that’s just horrible. The OP says she tips well because of that and I can understand your reasoning.

I know that these stereotypes exist and are probably true with some folks but that’s not the standard. I am a black female, not a mom though, and I tip 20% standard. If there are two rules that I was taught when dining out it was to (a) bee nice to the wait staff and (b) tip well, unless the service dictates otherwise.

Its amazing how a few anecdotes can become truth. Even if 35 people post on here that they were in the restaurant business and witnessed such and such that is still simply anecdotal evidence which serves no purpose but to perpetuate what people think they know….

By GeezGuys

October 16, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

The bitterness and hate seems to be currently emanating from the pro-accommodation crowd, not those of us who question the all children everywhere 24/7 policy.

And some of us do have children, and love them, we just respect the right of others to eat in peace and quiet. Not to mention our kid’s right to not be trapped at a table in an adult restaurant.

Mom, did it ever occur to you that you get so many compliments because your children are the EXCEPTION? Kudos for your good job, but other diners are tired of kids who are uncontrolled, and there are way too many of them nowadays. People don’t seem to know or care if their kids are creating a scene. (see: Anon.)That doesn’t make us bitter or nasty people, it just means there are a lot of idiot parents who constantly treat restaurants like their private daycare/living room.

By Cyndi

October 16, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

*Cyndi Go Home and Eat * Oh, and you are the authority on who can or cannot blog? I have an opinion, and I believe I am entitled to it. I am as welcome here as any other blogger.

Most people I see going in and out of restaurants are fat and lazy, and probably don’t know how to cook for themselves, which I am positive includes YOU. You are probably self-centered, and fat, with a miserable fat family.

I take pride in my culinary skills. I can outcook any chef in the metro area. My meals are healthy, my kitchen is clean, and I don’t have to put up with anyone’s crap while dining. Hubby and I have saved a ton of money by choosing to grow our own veggies, and cook our own food. Another bet - my 401(k) is twice the size of yours, if you have one. But probably not, you are spending it on crap food and won’t live long enough to enjoy retirement……

By Cyndi Go Home and Eat

October 16, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

…. you failed to note your medications for dementia are twice as much as mine in your litany of touchés.

I am humbly smited by your poison pen and will never question your culinary prowess.

Here Ye One and All! Cyndi is the best chef in the world and claims righteous dominance over worlds yet unknown. She is the model of which all should bear their reflection. A living god she walks among us to show us the divine path of gastronomy.

All bow to Cyndi! All hail Cyndi!

By You forgot to mention

October 16, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

…Cindi’s superiority due to her

claimed size of 501(k) savings account,

self-discipline to live an anorexic lifestyle,

ability to discern personality traits by restaurant utilization.

Bow to our Mistress.

By How I learnt to cook from Cyndi and learnt to love the bomb

October 16, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

Before Cyndi graciously allowed me an apprenticeship in her clean, wholesome kitchen, I was but a living embodiment of ‘Chunky Monkey’.

I barely made enough money to survive as most of my income was spent foolishly buying 920-Calorie Breakfast Burritos from Hardees. I had cashed out my once healthy 401K, and spent all of the monies after the capital gains tax on foods from…. GASP!…. restaurants.

She taught me to make food from vegetables and not cook them in boiling lard as I was accustomed. The years I spent in her kitchen taught me that she was truly the best chef in the world and that her hubby was, by every measure, the luckiest man in the world.

Years later I left the kitchen of Cyndi and set out on my own to share the home-borne culinary stylings of Cyndi around the countryside. Like a modern-day Johnny Appleseed, I would drop in on towns with restauarants and leave her wholesome recipes for familes to make at home.

I sit at my computer today, a champion of the Cyndi At-Home Method of Cooking. A victorious servant of her cause as today the last restaurant on earth has closed it’s doors. No longer will the people tolerate food cooked by a stranger or deign to accept service by a stranger.

We all have learned to cook at home and forever more taste the delicate sapor of Cyndi’s Spaghetti Pie. We are a world united in the enlightenment of Cyndi’s vision.

By Cyndi

October 16, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

Sounds like someone is jealous!!!!

Your useless housewife probably refuses to cook, because she is too busy taxxing the precious kiddies back and forth to soccer, and wouldn’t be caught dead in the kitchen. Her idea of a good dinner is probably McDonalds……

A nice home cooked meal would do wonders for your nasty attitudes. Not my fault you married a lazy person who refuses to cook for you.

High maintenance women need to be waited on, not slumming in some kitchen. You married it!!!

By You forgot to mention

October 16, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Sounds like someone is jealous!!! of a funnier post.

By Cyndi

October 16, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

How I learnt to cook from Cyndi and learnt to love the bomb Why thank you. I had no idea this would become such a huge undertaking. But thanks to people like you, who have found the way, maybe this “eating at home thing” will catch on!!!!!

Very humorous post!!!! You made me laugh, thank you!!!!

Now maybe if I wrote a culinary Bible, more people would come around to my way of thinking……

By Chef Diablo

October 16, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Cyndi, you cook better than any chef out there? wow! thats amazing talent to be hidden away somewhere in OTP with that chia garden of yours. Attention all chefs, restauranteurs, servers, bartenders, farmers, local mom & pop shops…you better get a real job in the corporate world and get your 401k started! Cyndi says you can’t chase your dreams of owning your own business. Its Cyndi’s world, we’re just living in it. More ugly people should stay home like Cyndi and pretend they are someone hiding behind a keyboard.

Btw- kids dont belong in certain restaurants, esp’ly intown, just stay OTP at the chains.

By Dr. Homebound

October 16, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Just like Cyndi, I don’t ever goto hospitals or pay for high priced pharmaceutical companpies medications. I stay at home, grow my own remedies and I dont have to deal with rude nurses, doctors from other countries, orderlies, dirty janitors, air borne germs floating around, spending my whole 401k on surgeries and hospital stays. Doctors like chefs are NOT needed in this society. I can do a better job curing cancer in my clean kitchen than any other facilities in the metro area. Cheers Cyndi! finally someone lives in the real world! ps- I wouldn’t buy your culinary bible b/c I dont go out to book stores and I cook better than anyone I know so your book would be useless.

By Home-Schooled Author

October 16, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Dr. Homebound

I applaud your bold assertion that by not going to bookstores, that you could out perform ‘noble art’ of restaurant chef witchcraftery. Lo! I have been tempted by the Sirens who fill mine ears with lullabyes of Jalapeño Chili Cheeseburger Kickers and Twice-Stuffed Pork & Cheddar Flingers, but I have stuff thine with pages from my homecrafted tomes.

I too, refuse to patronize the lowly purveyor of ill-wrought tomes, as I am busily at home reading books which no one has read and writing books no one will read. I am thereby the most highly skilled writer of my generation, my era and furthermore forthwrit.

It is with great fortune that my hubby, doth be graced with the words and phrases I doth wrought. He is fully enraptured in my script and he is my muse for that I am inspired.

You unfortunate souls to whom Grisham, Collins, and Oprah Book Club be the fare of your literature, I doth feel a deep pity for you and your ill-read, Faulknerian halfwit husbands must waste your time to consume.

Oh pathetic creatures are all of you!

… with exception of Dr. Homebound and Cyndi, of course!

By Heidi

October 16, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

The restaurant my family and I dined at is known for its award-winning Sunday brunch. It is one of “the places to go” for Mother’s Day. And, prior to its renovation used to offer high chairs so we had no idea until we sat at the table (after a wait) that they had chosen to not offer them anymore.

We simply brought in our stroller and voiced our displeasure that they did not offer high chairs. In response, our servers treated us extremely rude and ASKED US IF WE WANTED TO LEAVE.

I would have left the restaurant, but my mother-in-law was with us and wanted to “prove a point” to the staff I suppose and show them how well mannered our children are and that we deserve to eat there just like everyone else.

What bothererd me most about our experience was not so much that the restaurant has chosen to now not offer high chairs for young children to dine with their families, but that they made every attempt to make it clear through their behavior that they do not welcome children anymore or want our business.

We’ll never return to this restaurant, or their other two restaurants intown and in Alpharetta, however, restaurant owners should recognize that intentionally discriminating against families with young children IS WRONG if not poor business sense.

Parents have a lot of touchpoints throughout the day - employment, children’s schools, PTA, sports teams, boy/girl scouts, etc. They are NOT a group to alienate.

By Hmmmmh?

October 16, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Heidi

Scrathing Noggin’ Trying To Figure Out Why…

… a restaurant would offer a ‘Mother’s Day Brunch’ and be unreceptive to family’s and.. ahem. Mothers with CHILDREN from being seated.

Of course I do recall some places I have gone to in the past where I had to pay a cover charge as it was ‘Ladies Night’ only to discover that not a single lady was present.

Ho hum.

By Alien

October 16, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Heidi- “We’ll never return to this restaurant, or their other two restaurants intown and in Alpharetta, however, restaurant owners should recognize that intentionally discriminating against families with young children IS WRONG if not poor business sense.

Parents have a lot of touchpoints throughout the day - employment, children’s schools, PTA, sports teams, boy/girl scouts, etc. They are NOT a group to alienate.”

You people really do live inside your own little world? “Alienate”? I bet your precious little suburban town doesn’t alienate who goes to your school or live in your neighborhoods. How many section 8 and minorities goto school with your kids and live in your neighborhood? Why don’t you live in the inner city and goto a mixed school? Face it you are prejudice and alienate others as you claim you are being alienated. FRAUDS.

By D

October 16, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

Getting back on point. This issue really seems to set defense mechanisms off on both sides of the fence. Realistically, how many parents even want to bring a small (high-chair age) child to a restaurant like Bacchanalia or Bones? Older children who have shown they can behave in a family oriented restaurant like Cracker Barrel or Applebee’s ought to be able to behave properly in a nicer establishment. On the other hand, if they have a tendency to run around the table or throw food at Outback, why would any sane parent want to bring them along to a high end adult oriented place like the Ritz-Carlton. Would they even find something on the menu that would appeal to their tastes? While there are always exceptions, how many small children would want seared rare ahi tuna with baby bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and wasabi whipped potatoes?

On the whole, a young couple in search of a romantic gourmet meal will not seek it at the Golden Corral and a family with a 7 year old with a taste for Chicken fingers is not likely to drop by the Joel Restaurant. When the two worlds do meet, there is bound to be conflict in both directions. No real answers here, just trying to find a rational approach.

By Heidi

October 16, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

We wouldn’t choose to bring our children to a restaurant known for catering primarily to the business crowd, fine dining or any other restaurant we don’t think our children would be comfortable. However, the restaurant we chose is known for its Sunday brunch - isn’t that typically a family meal? Especially at a place known for its Mother’s Day brunch?

We love to dine out when we can and have dined at restaurants all over metro Atlanta as well as places that we have traveled and have NOT ONCE found a restaurant that intentionally made it clear they don’t welcome children or didn’t offer a high chair.

Parents who choose to take their kids out to eat with them shouldn’t be treated with disrespect unless they are disrespecting the restaurant or others dining there.

By Bitemedawgfans

October 16, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

You people are amazing. I have worked at a bar and restaurant off and on for many years. We do descrinate now against children in the place because we allow smoking. Which all parents should understand. Did we lose alot of money when we went to this format? Yes our business cut in half. I have different veiw points than most people that work in the industry today than the ones that have worked in the restaurants in the past. Orginally all customers were right(just the way I was taught). But in today’s society we have gotten away from this. I always had a regular job and work for extra cash on the weekends. I enjoy doing this because I have extra play money. Todays younger generation has been so spoiled by their parents giving them everything cars, free place to live, etc… They are actually being forced to work if they want play money. They usually work with a grudge. Thats why the service industry is so bad!! They don’t want to be there but have to so they can go buy the stuff the parents won’t purchase. I was raised that if you want something you have to work and earne it. Respect others because they are actually giving you your play money. Bust your a* and make everyone’s day and then you will have nothing to complain about when your tips are low.

By GeezGuys

October 16, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

If the kids are running around at Outback, never mind the Ritz-Carlton, they shouldn’t return to Outback.

Heidi, people without children have a lot of contacts too, maybe the restaurant doesn’t want to alienate them. Clearly, families with children who need booster seats do not comprise the majority of the population. It may not compute to your suburbia brain, but it’s true.

This demographic (with small kids) seem to often create a mess and annoy other diners. Then they decide to loudly complain when they aren’t provided with highchairs, and wonder why they aren’t wanted in that establishment. That restaurant was making a good business decision. You and your family sound like a dining nightmare.You disrespected the restaurant when you criticized their decision to not provide highchairs. A little payback seems to have gotten your entitled self into quite a snit. Get over your Alpharetta centered self.

By Heidi

October 16, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

It’s interesting to read the stereotypes of families with children and your assumptions of me. You’ve even assumed I live in Alpharetta. You’re clearly misled.

Believe it or not parents aren’t a different breed we’re just at a different point in life.

As consumers I hope that we all ban together to voice when there is a problem regardless of what it may be. I’ve simply brought up an issue that many families are facing and think it’s important to address.

This issue is customer service and how people are treated when they voice a concern.

What has really become clear to me through this blog is how stereotypes are impacting the way we treat others.

Thanks for your feedback. It’s been interesting to say the least.

Happy dining!