Tom Colicchio Offers Advice for Eating Out With Baby

Amanda Schwab/Startraks

When it comes to screaming babies in restaurants, Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio says do yourself — and those around you — a favor, and head for the nearest exit!

“You’ve gotta leave,” the 47-year-old dad-of-two tells Babble. “If something’s going on and you can’t get him quiet, just pick him up and leave. Say, ‘Sorry, I gotta go.’”

His opinions are equally strong when it comes to the food choices parents offer their children while dining out. “Kids should order off the [adult] menu,” he says, suggesting appetizers as a kid-friendly alternative. And while some children are naturally picky eaters Tom says that more often than not, it is a situation created by mom and dad.

“I think a lot of it has to do with parents saying, ‘Oh, you won’t like that. You don’t want to eat that.’ Why? You don’t know what they like until they try it.”

To that end, Tom recommends exposing children to new flavors and ethnic cuisine “from a very early age,” as well as leading by example.

“I think a lot of the problem is that kids eat like their parents and their parents aren’t trying,” he explains. “I remember giving my kid oysters and saying, ‘Here, try it. It’s not going to bother you.’ But when they get to school, his classmates go, ‘Oh my god, you eat that? That’s horrible.’”

Click below to read about Tom’s approach to tackling sleep deprivation with a new baby.

A case in point is Tom’s 16-year-old son Dante, who “hates” mustard because his mom does, too. Dante is considerably more tolerant of his new sibling Luka Bodhi, 4 months, and was even present for baby boy’s birth. “He wasn’t at the business end of things,” Tom jokes. “And he took a little video, which was pretty cool.”

Since becoming a big brother Dante — who prefers photography to cooking — has matured considerably in Tom’s eyes, and not necessarily in a good way! Tom adds,

“He was pretty easy until the baby came home and all of a sudden, he was like, ‘You guys don’t know what you’re doing!’ All of a sudden he became a teenager. But no, I think he still likes hanging out with us.”

Despite the large age gap between his two sons, Tom says that life with a new baby is “actually fine,” and that he and wife Lori Silverbush have begun “tag team feedings” now that Luka is sleeping longer.

“My feeling is you can go one night without sleep but two nights is too hard so we’re trying to break it up a bit.”

The couple — married since 2001 — are also making the most of their time while Luka is a baby, eating out and traveling as much as possible. “I feel like before your baby turns one you can take them pretty much anywhere and they’ll just go to sleep but after that, put them away for a couple years,” he says.

Dante is Tom’s son from a previous relationship.

Source: Babble

– Missy

Comments

The only thing I agree with this Tom Colicchio (whoever he is, sorry I have never heard of him) is one thing, Kids should be introduced to new foods and flavor. HOWEVER to just leave? Not so sure. I think it should be what the parent is comfortable with doing. And perhaps how many bad looks one is getting.
I take mini playdoh with me when I go out to eat with my children. Yes some might think its messy. My children love playdoh. I always leave a 25% tip too especially if my kids left a mess.

- mary on December 3rd, 2009

I totally agree with Tom!

- Jordasche Bledsoe on December 3rd, 2009

I don’t agree with the parents being responsible for picky eaters. I try and try and then try again to get my daughter to eat the things her father and I eat… but no, she won’t have any of it. It is very frustrating.

- Courtney on December 3rd, 2009

As someone who worked as a server to help pay for college and law school, I second Tom. I always appreciated when a family with a fussy child got up and left, even if they didn’t tip. Uncomfortable babies make parents uncomfortable, and then everyone in the room starts to freak out. Once a mom was so embarrassed about her son’s behavior that she told me she had to leave. I told her to meet me outside the entrance in a few minutes. I brought her her food in takeout containers and gave the boy a box of crayons we kept in the back for just such occasions. The mom started crying. Nobody had ever been that kind to her in similar situations, I guess! She came back in the next week and left me a big tip. I was so grateful and we had a laugh about the whole thing. Any good wait staff will try to help a bad situation out. That said, I have seen parents who totally ignore a kid mid meltdown maybe expecting nobody else cares? We do! We feel for you, but please hustle out the door! (I have!)

- Erin on December 3rd, 2009

I agree with Tom on both accounts. I cannot STAND parents that allow their kids to act up at restaurants. Just because they are used to their kids behavior or crying and can ignore it doesn’t mean that we all should have to listen to it. Esp on a Sat nite at a nice restaurant when we’ve gotten a sitter and then have to rush through a $50+ meal because we don’t want to listen to their brats any longer. Sorry rant over.

- velouria on December 3rd, 2009

Totally agree with Tom, on all counts…I’m hoping the baby I’m expecting will appreciate Thai food as much as I do someday!

- Forever Moore on December 3rd, 2009

I eat spicy Thai and Indian food and my kids won’t touch it. What gives, Bob? LOL. I agree with the first point but I think he is overgeneralizing with the second point.

- Jenifer on December 3rd, 2009

I also agree with him on both points!

And how cool is it that his older son was there when his baby brother was born!

- Sonya on December 3rd, 2009

I agree with Tom on ALL counts. In fact, there’s a restaurant in Chicago that was so tired of parents who would literally ignore that their children were acting up and not doing anything about the situation that the restaurant banned parents with children. The restaurant became busier… As far as getting children to eat foods they don’t initially like, as Tom said, exposing them at a very early age is key, but also being firm. i.e. “This is what’s being served tonight” – period. As a kid, I ate things all the time I didn’t necessarily love (like liver and onions) but it was made for me ‘cus it was healthy. I wasn’t given a choice and learned to appreciate it. I learned to eat a well balanced diet with a huge variety of food and can eat any ethnicity of food.

- Catca on December 3rd, 2009

I totally agree with Tom on the first count, for the most part on the second. I was a bus girl at a restaurant for 2 years, and it’s ridiculous what parents let their children get away with! I’ve been nannying for 5 years now, following 3 years at a day care, but the last thing I should have to hear/see when I’m off the clock and trying to enjoy a meal with my family is a child being entirely disgraceful and the parent acting like they aren’t even there. I know kids will be loud sometimes, it’s in their nature. But limits need to be set somewhere. If your child can’t behave in a restaurant, they shouldn’t be taken to one. I had one family while I was busing that came in with their 1 year old, and the kid made a HUGE mess and was LOUD the whole time. On their way out, she handed me a $20 and apologized profusely for the inconvenience!

As to the picky eater idea, sometimes yes and sometimes no. The family I currently nanny for, the 4 year old would eat Spaghetti O’s and meat balls EVERY night. The dad cooks quite well and tries everything to get him to eat other stuff and try new things, but he will have none of it. If you have them try new foods early enough they’ll usually get used to them and love them later. But if they really don’t like something, nothing and noone will make them eat it, no matter how early you start!!!

- Sarah M. on December 3rd, 2009

I like the name Luka, that’s different!

I waited tables for 5 years to put myself through school too, I completely agree! Don’t let your kids throw crap everywhere and scream their heads off forever! Newborns are different because they don’t know any better, but I still think it’s polite to step away for a minute. I’ve also been on the other side though. My best friend and I took our kids to the beach last summer, my daughter contracted that hand, foot, and mouth thing from a birthday party the day before we left, she had sores on her tongue and wasn’t eating much. Anyway we went out to eat and as we were being seated we heard the table next to us say, “Great, 2 toddlers, there goes our dessert”. My daughter was extremely fussy and uncomfortable but she wasn’t screaming uncontrollably, everytime she took a bite of food she would cry, after about 5 minutes I got up to take her outside and I was asking her if she wanted to go see the ocean and the woman at that table glared at me and said, “what your daughter needs is a good spanking”. It took everything I had to keep my mouth shut and keep walking. I know what my daughter needs and that time it wasn’t a spanking, regardless it wasn’t her business! So, try to remember that most of us moms are doing the best we can and we could use a knowing smile instead of eye rolls and rude comments:)

- Jessicad on December 3rd, 2009

It must be devastating for him that his 16 year old doesn’t like mustard “because his mother hates it” (please, how many 16 year old boys want to be just like their mothers?). Let’s hope he can correct all of the mistakes he made the first time.

Let’s check back in with Tom in three years when his kid will only eat toast and strawberries. Karma’s not too kind on folks who make sweeping statements and seem to have all the answers.

- Mom on December 3rd, 2009

I like the idea of ordering off the appetizer menu, that never crossed my mind. I refuse to order from the kiddie menu because it’s always junk that I could make at home for MUCH MUCH less than what they are charging. Mac and cheese costs a dollar and some places want to charge 5 bucks? HELL NO. I have a 3yr old and she still eats off my plate. She tries all sorts of things and my rule is one bite every time. If she doesn’t like it she doesn’t have to eat anymore during that sitting but she must eat one bite. I always order something I know she’s going to like and things she hasn’t tried yet. I’ve been pleasantly shocked with what she will eat. The only thing I can’t get her to eat for some strange reason is sandwiches. I’ve tried pb and j and meat and cheese and she doesn’t like them.

I’ve lucked out and she’s great in restaurants because she’s been going since she was little and she knows what’s expected of her. I always make sure there is something for her to do and when she tries things like standing up in her chair just a simple Sit down will do. Or This is not how we behave in a restaurant. Only one time did things escalate with her and I said rather sternly Do I need to take you into the bathroom??? And she slowly shook her head and sat down, now the funny thing is she has no clue what that means. I’ve never spanked her, that’s just something my mother used to say to me when I was a kid and it just came out. It worked like a charm and I still chuckle to this day about that one.

- TC on December 4th, 2009

I don’t have children yet, but my guess is that if your baby/toddler/child is melting down in a restaurant, than its time to leave. Get your bill paid, put your food in a to-go box and head for the door. Not only is it stressful for those eating inside but also for the baby….

just a thought….

- Em on December 4th, 2009

I agree. My husband is a restaurant critic and our daughter (nearly 6) has been eating with us since she was two weeks old. We never really had a choice! Get up and go is a good plan. When my daughter had colic, we often had to eat our apps and get our entrees boxed up to go. She was worse at night. Some mights were fine. Others were not. We had no local family or friends, so we brought her along and hoped for the best. Now, she’s the greatest little diner. She loves food. All food. (Well, not veggies. Any cuisine in the universe, but still not veggies.) She eats off the adult menu. She doesn’t fuss or spill. She knows how to handle herself in any restaurant. It’s wonderful. I recommend dining out early, before the 7pm rush, and avoiding the trendy new restaurants on Friday and Saturday nights. But everyone brings their kids to nice restaurants these days. The few times we’ve left our daughter with a sitter we’ve ended up seeing parents with small children at the restaurant anyway. Do it. Bring your kids. Just be ready to box up and go if things get out of hand. It’s no big deal.

- Laura on December 4th, 2009

I would like to tell you how things go in Greece!When you go to a restaurant,then pretty often you have to tolerate adults who make a mess, drinking and shouting!!!I have never seen anyone badmouthing a kid,what everybody does is let their kids walk around the place and all customers are asking their names and ages and offer them food!I’m not kidding!We are loud people and we really enjoy the fuss!If it’s very quiet we feel like we don’t have enough fun and we go somewhere else where there is noise!That’s the only reason to leave the restaurant!So why don’t you do it the Greek way?Talk to the children, talk with the parents, have fun altogether and buy them a bottle of wine (we always do that here!)!!!

- Christina Greece on December 4th, 2009

I love taking my children to restaurants, when I can afford it. However, my husband and I make sure that they know the rules… “Use you manners, no kicking, keep your voice down, and whatever you drop will be picked up before you leave.” I have seen children purposely drop food, silverware, napkins, garbage, etc on the floor. When it’s time to leave, the parents just leave it there for the wait staff to clean up. If you or your child drops something, PICK IT UP! It’s really not that hard.

As for trying new foods, I try to introduce something new every week or two. My oldest has food allergies so a lot of things are off-limits. (My youngest shows no sign, but was told to avoid the stuff the oldest is allergic to.) My children love most foods, and I do NOT tolerate excuses for not trying something. For example, at Thanksgiving I made my kids’ first pumpkin pie. My oldest hated it while the youngest loved it. However, I still had my children try the pie for three days in a row… just like introducing a baby to a new food. My thought, even if you don’t like it, make sure you aren’t allergic. Even if it’s just a bite. This theory works great in my house. I have the only two children (at least on both sides of our family) that can finish off a can of spinach by themselves!

I don’t like the fact that parents (and businesses) “hide” vegetables to trick kids. Maybe it’s because I grew up having to eat my veggies whether or not I like them and my kids love them. Yes, I’ll put cauliflower in mashed potatoes, spinach in spaghetti sauce, and more. But everyone knows that the vegetables are there.

The other day I babysat for my neighbor. At dinner, the oldest (6) said she wouldn’t eat the macaroni salad, but ate the baked “fried” chicken and vegetables. Her brother (5) looked at the food and asked, “I won’t eat that. I don’t know what it is, but I won’t eat it. What else do you have?” My response, “Nothing. Eat or go hungry.” I don’t care that they weren’t mine. You eat what is put in front of you. I’m not a short order cook. If you don’t like it, sit at the table and wait for everyone else to finish.

Sorry… I hate ill-mannered people. Rant done… Have a great day all.

- Krista on December 4th, 2009

Christina Greece that sounds fun haha. I live around small towns and sometimes go to the little mom and pop country restaurants to get “soul food”, the owners often come up and take your baby to go show the cooks in the back or their family memeber dining nearby, they just love to cuddle babies I think! They are complete strangers but you feel totally at ease with them.

- Jessicad on December 4th, 2009

Yes Jessicad, it’s a lot of fun!!!It makes you feel secure,home-like and it’s great for the parents that can relax a little!The only reason for the children to sit down is to grab a bite, no one is pressuring them to try anything, they just play around!And in Greece we don’t have kid-meals, they just tell what they want or the parents already know and they order it!Most times there isn’t even a menu on the table!You just ask what they have today and they suggest and you order!

Also, it’s common to cook different food for the members of the family according to their preferences!

What you do sounds really out of routine and funny!

- Christina Greece on December 4th, 2009

Hilarious, Krista. I like the way you handled the 5-year old. My 9-year old niece always has to have these special meals created for her between her father and her mother cooking, because she screamed and carried on when she was younger, while I sit there thinking that we had to eat everything on our plates when we were younger, and there was no ‘separate special cuisine’ that we were going to get. I totally disagree with that. Then again, my boyfriend was expected to eat everything on his plate when he was younger, and he is now a grown, pain in the neck picky eater, who really doesn’t eat anything healthy. So what gives?

- J on December 4th, 2009

J — My hubby is the same way!!! I have a feeling that when you HAVE to clean your plate as a kid, you rebel as an adult and only eat your favorites, healthy or not; making me crazy or not!!! With our son, we give him what we’re eating and he can eat it or not. But we’re not making him something else. I don’t know if this is the way to go, but it works for us. I am a working mom and creating one dinner a night is about over my limit — two is completely out of the question!!

- mmh on December 4th, 2009

Kind of off the subject.
My daughter, who is 5, will NOT eat anything that has meat in it. So I have to make her special meals. She won’t eat pizza if meat has been on it. You see she wants to save the animals. I have had to become creative. I also have to see a dietitian, who has helped me with meal planning. She gets her iron levels checked every 3 months and thus far has been great. She is very compassionate about animals, four legged, arachnoids, aquatic life, and even people (but sometimes I fell they are lower on her list). She must sit at the dinner table until we, her father and I and her brothers and sister are done eating. She has never complained. Although she is now trying to tell us that we should not eat meat so much but hey what can I say except that I and the others are carnivores. She will try new foods as long as they don’t contain meat.
Her Christmas list is a short one. She wants a snake, and a tarantula. If we can’t get one she will settle for a turtle. She wants us and her aunts and uncles to give their money to the Milwaukee animal shelter, and (get this) save the whales. (Another long story). And she wants us to go to the Best Buy parking lot as a family to pick up the litter so Santa’s reindeer don’t eat it. (We were just there and it was dirty, she was picking up the garbage,(I learned early on to carry gloves in the car) and she handed to the Geek Squad guy, whom by the way was not amused).
So Yes I can see that it is important to have your children try new foods. I have never been one to “create a special meal” for any of my kids. That is until I had a child who feels passionate about not eating animals. Our oldest sons fear (he is 15) is that she will join Green Peace. By the way she has been like this forever. It is hard when she is invited to her friend’s house to play and she is invited to eat over. She has always politely declined to eat their food unless its plain noodles. And will sit there until they are finished. They know by now not to take it personally. Although one friend’s mom is worried that my daughter will talk hers into not eating meat. What can you do?
except roll your eyes at her. Which I have done on occasion.

- mary on December 4th, 2009

I agree with everything Tom says.

- mp on December 4th, 2009

Jessicad – I can’t believe that woman would say that to you! Well, actually, I CAN, but it’s very disappointing. Strangers really have no right to say things like that to mothers (or anyone, really).

My husband and I have avoided dining out with our daughter, not because of her, because she’s great, but because WE get glared at! We live in an area where parents under 30 are not normal, and frowned upon. Add to that the fact that we both look ten years younger than we are (he’s 27, I’m 26), and people seem to feel they have the right to glare, whisper, point and offer unsolicited “advice.” Lovely.

Christina Greece – My grandmother is from Greece (born on the island of Karpathos, and raised in Athens), and I hope to go someday with my husband and daughter. I loved reading your post and it made me want to go to Greece so much! It sounds like such a lively, fun, and happy place.

About “picky eaters” – I think sometimes picky eaters are created by parents, but there are other times where they just are what they are. I went to college with someone who was a terrible eater. He never ate vegetables and lived off chicken lo mein (no vegetables) and cheese pizza. According to his own mother, his picky eating was her fault. She did the “you won’t like this” thing with him as a child, so now, as an adult, he “doesn’t like” anything (even though he’s never tried it). My brother was always a picky eater (still is, at 23), but it was never “encouraged” it was/is just part of his personality.

- mrsh on December 4th, 2009

I agree with most of what Tom says. If your kid can’t be calmed down, take him out. One the occassions my son has gotten fussy while we’re eating (and we only go to restaurants where kids are routinely welcome) then one of us walks him around while the other finishes eating. I don’t think the other diners should have to deal with my baby being fussy.

With the picky eaters, I think he’s trying to say that parents are to blame when they make assumptions about what their kids will and won’t like or never introduce them to new foods. I was a terribly picky eater and my parents always let me make my own meal, so I ate the same thing every single night for years (I was STUBBORN and thwarted most of their attempts to make me eat, but maybe if they had enforced a one-bite rule things could have been different?). Now that I’ve got a baby I’m trying to try more foods so that he’ll want to eat a greater variety. So far I’ve had success with making his own baby food and he eats everything but zucchini and pumpkin (papaya, beets, and eggplant are his favorite). Give me a few years and we’ll see if this promising start for him continues, lol

- marfmom on December 4th, 2009

Totally agree! My son has always eaten off the adult menu (most upscale places will create a 1/2 order of anything they have on the menu.) In fact, he is 3 and had a half order of lobster and truffle ravioli tonight. Fortunately he is a pretty good restaurant baby as we eat out a lot, but there have been times we left — and many, many times we have wished others would!

- brannon on December 4th, 2009

Christina Greece, Thank you! People in North America need to lighten up! Children are not little adults, but they are people. It is unfair to expect a young child to sit still and be quiet for an hour or more. Maybe if they were treated as they are in Greece, there wouldn’t be as many meltdowns! Oh, and if you want a quiet, intimate meal, don’t go to Applebea’s at 6 o’clock!Family restaurants are for families, including messy, noisy, happy children! Of course there are exceptional cases where you should leave for everyone’s sake, but geeze people, relax a little…try a little understanding and talk to the little one’s instead of shaking your heads! Greece sounds like the place to be!

- emilyc on December 4th, 2009

Leave? For what? Usually the child just needs something. Usually you can tell before going into the restaraunt the child is going to have a melt down just don’t go. I’ve only had one problem and I have 4 children. I just picked her up and went into the bathroom for a few minutes to calm her down and then the rest of dinner went fine. If you know your kids are prone to melt downs then don’t take them. Go to a family friendly place. I wouldn’t walk into a nice restaraunt with my kids at all. We go to places that kids are welcome. For more upscale places, go on a date night with your s.o. don’t take the kids.

- cindi on December 5th, 2009

I totally disagree with Tom and some of these other people. First of all children are not brats. Children also aren’t adults and shouldn’t be expected to act like they are. The last time I checked restaurants are a public place and all people including children are allowed there. I don’t like the way some adults act while in public so does that mean they shouldn’t be allowed out. I think we should all learn to be a little more tolerant.

- Cristin on December 5th, 2009

I agree with Tom. But I dont really think a new born to about 12 months needs to go out to a restaurant. There is no need they cant eat a meal themselves wouldnt it be easier leaving them at home rather then interupt your meal when they are crying and leave. Just my opinion.

- Jen on December 5th, 2009

First, parents need to use some discretion when they chose what restaurant to take their children to. In a typical family friendly establishment, I’d say everyone needs to be tolerant to the family friendly atmosphere and stop criticizing every kid/parent they see. After all, you can’t expect a well-behaved restaurant patron if they never get a chance to work out the kinks. However, I’ve seen children in very upscale restaurants where they are very out of place and in that situation, I do believe that there is a higher expectation for those kids to be well-mannered and non-disruptive!

On the picky eating, I have five kids and they all have different personalities. I agree that I’m not a short order cook, but at the same time, tastes are just as innate as they are nurtured. I have two children who are extremely particular and their food aversions/likes are very consistent. I have three children who will eat just about anything and who will try all foods at least once. My parenting hasn’t varied at all, but the kids are all very varied and unique.

- Laura on December 5th, 2009

Jen (#30) – The only problem with that is that it can become expensive fast. Not only are they maybe going to a more expensive restaurant, they would then need to pay a babysitter to watch the kid while they are out. Unless they have family or friends who will babysit for free, that is. I think, though, that it benefits children to be put in new environments and the younger they are put in situations (within reason) the sooner they are able to recognize and learn the rules of behavior in those environments.

I will add to my previous comment, that it does completely depend on the restaurant. If your going to CiCi’s Pizza or Red Robin, they’re more geared towards families and not couples wanting a romantic evening out. In which case people need to be more tolerant. If your going to a more upscale, expensive restaurant then others are right to expect better behavior.

- Sarah M. on December 6th, 2009

Ich don`t go to restaurants with my children – 5 and 2. I feel not comfortable when the other people stare at us because my children behave like active children normally behave. There are a few children who you can bring to a restaurant because they are more quite. We tried it really often when my son was an baby, and when he got 6 month old, it was over. He wanted to move, and he ist still like that, he always wants to move.

in a family restaurant I expect that it is ok for the children to move around. But in every other restaurant children are not allowed to behave like children.

My son was allergic against egg and milk. He ist used to be not allowed to eat anything. Now he ist allowed to eat nearly anything – but he doesn`t like it! I try to give him new tastes and things to eat but he won`t try it most of the times.
And I don`t cook extra things for him but he prefers to stay hungry or eat plain rice or pasta.

- cora on December 6th, 2009

I would LOVE to be a fly on the wall of Tom’s kitchen when his kid turns 2 1/2 and decides that all food is evil, other than mac & cheese.

Also, I will pay tom $5000 right now if he comes over here and gets my kid to willingly eat an oyster.

It’s a rare kid who will eat everything. Mine ate everything, until she turned about two. I fed her salmon, duck confit, tofu and pasta with chicken liver. She ate most all vegetables. Then one day it just stopped. Nothing I did wrong. It’s just how kids are. And just because he got lucky with that first child – I hope he’s willing to eat his words because he may have to when this second child starts forming his own opinions.

Just sayin’…..

- Traci on December 7th, 2009

I agree with the people who say that how tolerant you should be depends on the restaurant. When you’re dining in an upscale restaurant, part of what you’re paying for is the sophisticated, romantic ambiance, so children who act like children can be a real detriment to the evening. On the other hand, casual dining restaurants are more laid-back and noisy, so it’s not as big a deal. So, if you bring your noisy child to some place where the price tag is around the $50 range, then yes, people have a right to glare and point at you. If you bring them to somewhere that’s in the neighborhood and is in the $30 and less range, then you have a right to tell them to “Learn to deal.”

- Anne on December 7th, 2009

Totally agree with Laura and Anne. Was out recently at a very nice (and VERY small) restaurant at 7 pm on a Sunday evening when this couple strolls in with their 3 very young children who were exceptionally loud, fussy, and were acting up (and I have tons of children in my family, so I am used to general small-child and toddler behavior). In my mind, my expensive dining experience was pretty ruined as it is hard to sit back and relax when there is a toddler screaming literally almost in your ear (due to the size of the place.) I have to say, epic fail on all counts for the parents on that one. The time, place, and decision to stay despite the unhappiness of the kids ticked off pretty much everyone there. I have also been to a very upscale French restaurant where the same thing has happened, except with an infant. I plead with parents – suffer through the mediocre food at the family style places, or get a babysitter for the night. But do not expect other adults trying to have a relaxing, elegant dinner to put up with your children’s tantrums.

- Kasee on December 7th, 2009

comepletly disagree. as a mom myself i stand up for my own and my child’s right to dine whereever I please. Sure she may fuss some but I’m sure as heck not gonna leave just so some strangers I dont know arent offended. deal with it. i cant stand people who whine about babies and young kids crying. the same goes for people who make nasty comments about moms who breastfeed in public or kids on planes. suck it up. do you think your saracstic butt never cried when you were a baby ? i cant stand bigoted attitudes like that.

- mrs santa claus on December 18th, 2009

I love the idea of letting kids try anything at restaurants. Its so out of the norm of what we heard and learned groing up. I think if kids start trying different foods early on they will be much more open and exposed to other cultures and hopefully healthier eating. So many times we hear children saying they dont like something. When you ask them if they have tried it before they usually say no.

- bassinet on December 30th, 2009