5 Tips for Dining Out with Kids

Image by Bon AppetitBy Andrew Knowlton, Bon Appétit

Dear BA Foodist, My wife and I like to try new restaurants, but we're also new parents. I've seen what can happen when children behave badly while dining out, and we dread fellow patrons' death stares. Any tips? -Chuck La Vallee, Los Angeles

Dear Chuck,
Cookbook author and food god Craig Claiborne opined, "I cannot estimate how many meals are spoiled by fractious, overtired children aching to be home, and their parents are doing no one a favor by permitting such disruptive behavior." I'd guess most folks agree with Mr. Claiborne, judging by the stink eye many waiters and fellow diners show parents eating with kids. It's a shame, really. True, a restaurant is not a playground, but it's not a church either. Some parents won't go near a restaurant with their children in tow, for fear of being ostracized. It's not like this in many other countries, where kids are welcomed to the table and where, not by accident, the food culture is strong.

A few tips:

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1.New parents, listen up: When your baby can't talk or walk, put him or her in a sling and get thee to a restaurant as often as you wish. People will ooh and aah at your bravery--as well as at the baby.

2.Choose your restaurant wisely. Go on the early side and avoid weekends. Brunch was invented for families--alcohol for mom and dad, and pancakes with smiley faces for kids. Many top-notch places now have kids' menus that go beyond the nugget, grilled cheese, and buttered-pasta triple threat.

3.Introduce your kids to new flavors. Asian restaurants, especially Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai ones, are often casual, full of big tables of families, and loud. Small-plate restaurants, like Spanish tapas places, allow easy sharing (and if things go south quickly, you can make an exit without having to cancel your entrée order).

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4.Adults get toys (cell phones, PDAs) to play with at the table, so kids should, too--but keep handheld video games on mute.

5.Bring a small snack to tide your little one over immediately after you sit down. But if said snack ends up all over the floor, it's your responsibility to clean it up--not the waitstaff's.

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