Would It Work Here? Brunch Without Brats!
“Kids don’t pay,” said Dale Levitski, executive chef at Sprout restaurant in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The Top Chef alum attracted headlines recently when he banned diners under 12 years of age from his weekend brunch service. Levitski says Sprout’s is a boozy brunch, comprised of composed dishes made from fastidiously sourced local ingredients. Plus “the dining room is small. High chairs and strollers would make it impossible to navigate. It’s honestly a fire hazard.” The response? “Overwhelmingly positive. Parents are making reservations because they want away from their kids, and they don’t want to deal with other people’s.”
That wouldn’t fly at Hi Spot Cafe, says Mike Walker, owner of the Madrona brunch institution where crowds of young families vie for five on-site high chairs and Mickey Mouse pancakes are a popular order. A restaurant in his neck of the woods, he says, could never go no-kids without drawing the ire of Madrona Moms, a parenting organization with over 2,000 members. (The Moms recommend services to one another—plumbers, babysitters—on a list serve, and neighborhood merchants joke nervously that they can make or break a business.)
But Spring Hill’s Mark Fuller—who serves a much more adult brunch at his West Seattle storefront—thinks a kid ban could work in Seattle. “It may upset some people, but if what the restaurant delivers at the table is good, I believe Seattle would support it.”
Would he dare ban wee ones from his own eatery? “Probably not.”
Published: May 2011
Gosh, I am so saddened by all these harsh comments! The people who think that children should never see a dining establishment until they’ve magically become refined foodies are unrealistic and unsympathetic to parents. Look, it is embarrasing to have one’s child act up in a restaurant. But going out is one of the few ways parents can maintain a bit of sanity. And while I am against parents who let their children run amuck (as I have been in the service industry 20 years, I’ve seen plenty of this), I also know that parents need and deserve a break. I honestly don’t mind when kids are a little messy. I know I can provide a break for a parent who deserves it! Just remember, harsh writers, YOU were once a child worthy of leaving your house. I’ll bet your parents had to put up with your temper tantrums in a dining out scenario.
Children are a fact of life, like it or not. I’ve spent plenty of times in an airplane with screeching children. I’ve eaten in restaurants with crying babies. And while it’s not the most pleasant thing in the world, it’s just what kids do. Kids are here to stay. Get over yourselves, people! Sheesh! Lighten up!
As a kids-free woman and a lover of fine food, I’d be crushed if restaurants banned children. My parents took me out with them all the time unless it was date night. We explored the dining scene near and far. I understand and respect people wanting a quiet place to enjoy a meal, but there are plenty of options available without denying a young one interesting food options their parents might never make.
We love brunch/lunch/dinner at Blueglass in Phinney Ridge/Ballard. As no one under 21 is EVER allowed in it makes for a peaceful dining experience. Gainsbourg is another 21 and over restaurant in the area with great food. Also did you know that no children are allowed on the patio at Lola, as it’s part of the bar? How awesome is that?!
When my kids were young I had enough common sense not to take them to a place where they and everyone else around them felt uncomfortable. A lot of parents think the community has a responsibility (it takes a village) to help them raise their kids, FAIL! Kids simply don’t belong in some adult environments, smart parents know that and plan around it.
Matt, that was hilarious. If anyone wants kid free dining, go to El Gaucho. Has anyone ever seen a kid there? I haven’t.
I would not patronize a restaurant that banned children. First, there is a world of difference between a child being well behaved at a restaurant and one that is screaming, just as there is a world of difference between a well behaved adult and one that is drunk and yelling (or just plain tacky). My son has been going to good restaurants since he was a baby and has eaten in world famous dining establishments when he was 5. He has learned good manners by going to good restaurants. He can comport himself at the ballet, the opera, charity events, and yes, at brunch. He knows what is proper dress for all of these occasions, as well, which many in Seattle do not. Anyone who would refuse him service loses my business as well.
Get over yourselves people. A restaurant is allowed to make this rule as an option for diners who seek it out. If you don’t agree with the rule, fine, DON’T GO THERE. But they are allowed to make the rule, it’s a free country, vote with your wallet. You’re almost as bad as the dog owners that think everyone loves their dog and wants to be jumped on, licked, and scratched to death.
And for the record, I do have a child. But you can bet there are times when we have date night that it’s nice to go to places where there are no kids. Options….
I would not patronize a restaurant that banned children. First, there is a world of difference between a child being well behaved at a restaurant and one that is screaming, just as there is a world of difference between a well behaved adult and one that is drunk and yelling (or just plain tacky). My son has been going to good restaurants since he was a baby and has eaten in world famous dining establishments when he was 5. He has learned good manners by going to good restaurants. He can comport himself at the ballet, the opera, charity events, and yes, at brunch. He knows what is proper dress for all of these occasions, as well, which many in Seattle do not. Anyone who would refuse him service loses my business as well.
It has become so commonplace for parents to take their children absolutely everywhere that those of us who want quiet dining can’t always rely on the caliber of a restaurant’s food or its pricing to force self-selection. If kids are old enough to understand how to behave properly and are taken out to dinner as a reward for their maturity, that’s great. However small kids that are out before they’re old enough to grasp this concept are best left at home. It can’t be any fun for the parents either, even in the name of togetherness. By the time you calm an upset child, your food is cold, you’ve gotten death stares from other diners and your outing is just another stressful encounter with the public. If you want a family dinner, choose an establishment where you’re welcome to wreak havoc but please don’t force your boisterous kids, however adorable you think they are on others who would like a peaceful dining experience.
toddlers belong in family friendly restaurants- not ANYWHERE their parents would like to go.
please keep to the ones that cater to you and won’t have a problem with attitude from other diners or staff.
simple.
we’ll all be happier.
I recently had brunch @ Spring Hill in West Seattle – with 2 kids in the party of 5. They may not have a policy for “no kids brunch”, but they certainly don’t make it easy for the parties with kids. No high chair and no booster. It’s actually unsafe for toddlers to sit in a regular chair. They should make it an official ban for kids and be done with it. Food was great. Not sure if I care for the attitude.
“Walker Please!” Mike Walker, the best boss a person can ever hope for, speaks the truth. I paid my rent off of Sunday brunches packed full of parents with their kids. As a server you just have to learn the gentle skill of TURN and BURN to keep everyone happy. Besides most parents know when to leave with a grumpy child. Trust me they, the parents, are not having fun either if their kid’s screaming. That’s when you swoop in with the to go boxes and a big smile as you drop the check! Besides kids are already banned from Taverns as it is in this town. Do we really want to ban them from brunches?!
That’s crap. I would never eat somewhere that tried this. Look, I’m the wife of a chef and a restaurant owner; I get it. But a restaurant doesn’t haven’t to become Chucky Cheese. It’s possible to be food-forward and kid-friendly, and I think that’s what Seattle restaurant patrons want. It’s not as though we lose our palates once we have kids. Child-free dinners at upscale restaurants promoting a romantic, adult vibe? Sure. But ban kids from brunch? Come on. That’s just stupid (and short-sighted, too, on the part of the restaurant-owner).
By the way, Seattle Met, I love your mag, but that was a really poorly timed article choice. “Brat-free brunch” on Mother’s Day week? Really?
All I can say is, thank God for Hi-Life’s bar area which makes child-free dining possible there. If not for that option, I would not eat there. EVER. When I go to any restaurant, if there are children present and no options for child-free dining, I dine elsewhere. Parents are to children as cigarette smokers are to their own stink: Completely desensitized to the monumental nuisance they carry with them wherever they go. Seattle fine dining establishments: Bring on the adults-only sections and I and my ilk will bring our wallets.
I am all for the kid free dinning! I have had far too many meals ruined by other people’s children and most parents (not all) seem oblivious to their child’s poor behavior. Most places do allow children so it is nice for those of us who would like a quiet meal out to have a few options.
I would ADORE it if someone had the guts to stand up to the parents who think their children are just sooooooo precious and banned kids from restaurants. I would support this restaurant with my money. I would also like them banned from PG and R rated films. What is worse than listening to a baby cry when you are trying to have a nice meal or watch a movie? If people cannot afford babysitters, they should either NOT have kids in the first place or don’t go out. Lever your kids at home until they are old enough to enjoy a dining experience that is intended for grownups! Also, the people commenting about “how can you run a story like this on Mother’s Day weekend?” Get over it. Your kids are just not all that great.
I do not have a child, I live in Belltown (like 27 of our 13K residents are children) so we don’t deal with this much…
I do not think banning children is the answer, there are many parents who teach their children how to behave. I do however think the restaurant should treat children with poor manners as they would a drunk guy with poor manners. If a child is screaming, acting up to the point where other customers are bothered – ask the family to leave.
It seems that restaurant staff turns the other cheek, not wanting to offend the family. If more restaurants made families know that poor behavior will not be tolerated, maybe when the child is throwing a temper tantrum, they take the child outside to cool down.
What about the “Wwwoooooo” girls. Can we ban them next?
I would certainly be for a “brat-free” morning meal. It seems many parents (not all) think that just because they popped out a couple kids that it gives them the right to haul them anywhere and ruin other people’s experiences.
Melinda is spot on with her comments. Quit taking your three year old to inappropriate venues, please.
You go, Melinda! And while we’re at it, let’s ban parents and their oh-so-precious kids from airplanes, too. If they can’t afford to ship the little rats to grandma’s house via FedEx, they should just stay home. They made the wildly inappropriate decision to have children in the first place (how dare they!), so they have to live with the consequences (e.g. never having a life again).
I’d love to see options for kid-free dining. Maybe I’ve just had a string of bad luck, but I’ve sat next to many a screeching child and parents that just talked over the little bundle of joy….until the adorable little brat begins to throw food so mommy notices them. Then, once the table is a trainwreck and the food is piled on the floor, mommy scoops them up and leaves the mess for the rest of us to enjoy and some poor server to clean.
Actually sending the kids FedEx vs. airplane is a great idea….
If someone chooses to have a kid, it means they are now responsible for training the little urchin to behave. Unfortunately, too many parents grow immune to just how obnoxious their kids are and the rest of us get to “enjoy” the results.
Maybe some enterprising chef will open a place catering to Urchins, cell phone talkers and the woo-hoo girls and we’ll all win.
@Sunny—
I’m stealing the term Urchin from you! Love it.
Maybe if parents started policing themselves and their urchin a bit more, there wouldn’t be such a distaste for family time at dining establishments.
t’s the restaurant’s prerogative whether they want to allow children into their restaurant – I don’t really mind it either way.
I have two (generally well behaved) kids that we take to quite a few restaurants, fine dining and otherwise, and I believe that I need it’s my husband and I’s responsibility to not disrupt other diners (my kids fully understand that lack of “restaurant manners” will mean us leaving promptly and that threat seems to work). On the other hand, sometimes I do want to have just an adult dining experience and would welcome the opportunity to eat at an establishment that only lets “big kids” in.
Also, let’s not forget that it’s not just children that are disruptive in a restaurant – I’ve had plenty of poor dining experiences because of too loud talkers, cell phone talkers, etc. Ultimately, it’s up to the restaurateur to decide the rules of engagement – you’re just playing on their playground.
I think it is an awesome idea. Why shouldn’t a restraunt be able to chose if they want to serve kids or not. Instead of the states making the laws and hurting alot of small businesses. I love kids to death but some parents do not know how to control there children or when it is time to leave. I have been places where kids are crawling around my chair and running thru them while there parents sit and enjoy there night out I am not.
Funny… didn’t realize toddlers are not people. West Seattle is a very family-friendly neighborhood. Make it a kid-free restaurant if you don’t want kids in your restaurant. By not providing boosters and highchairs but still welcome (or tolerate) kids is not the way to go.