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For years, I worked in restaurants: sloppy burger joints, friendly neighbourhood pubs, breakfast hotspots and high-end, candlelit bistros where entrees started at $25. And from paper serviettes and noisy jukebox tunes to expertly folded cloth napkins and hushed conversations, each place had its own distinct vibe. But they all had one thing in common?couples showed up at all of them with little kids.
I worked at one elegant restaurant, an intimate 40-seater open only for dinner, that was known for its perfectly braised lamb shank. It didn?t offer a children?s menu, high chairs or crayons. Clearly the establishment screamed?or shall I say politely hinted?adults only. Yet, sometimes I found myself with an expensive bottle of red having to maneuver around strollers containing fussy babies and bored toddlers. As I swerved around pre-schoolers to serve up chef-plated steaks and seared salmon I thought, who the heck brings a kid to a place like this" Since then I?ve had a child of my own, and I still think this way. He is four-and-a-half and a joy to dine with. Sometimes. Other times I am ripping my hair out, pleading with him to lower his voice, to not play with his food, climb on seats or lean over and talk to the guests behind us. Because of this, and out of respect for fellow diners, I firmly believe some establishments are not suited for young kids. Yes, this includes even the most well-behaved little foodies with a fondness for beef carpaccio.
The fac...