Anniversary dinner at Citrico's -- we went too early.

[montessori]

I should have known better, but made the mistake of dining too early for our anniversary dinnner at this FANTASTIC restaurant.
We had a 7:00 PS and arrived right on time.
We had a drink at the bar and were seated around 7:20.
There were quite a few crying babies and fussy toddlers there.
(Busman's holiday for me.)

One couple sat right next to us with a little boy who was about 10 months old. They had obviously been to a park (Magic Kingdom I suppose) all day and the baby was tired and cranky!
The parents didn't bring anything with them to help keep him occupied, they just kept giving him the brochure from the park to play with. He tired of that pretty quickly!

I was very tempted to leave, and grab something to eat later on but we stayed.
My husband had a fantastic soup and I had fried canneloni for an appetizer. Very good.
We shared the warm goat's cheese salad and it was also delicious.
They didn't have the pork dish that night and we both ended up having the same meal...the veal shank. It was SUPERB!

We were planning on trying one of the desserts, they looked delicious, and beautifully presented.
I'm sorry to say, I just wanted to get out of there by that time.
I very nicely mentioned to our waiter that I just hadn't expected so many crying children in there, it wasn't what I envisioned for our anniversary dinner. He said that the servers had just been commenting on the fact that there sure were a lot of them in there that night.

I understand that "Disney World is for families" but I do not understand why so many people insist on bringing over-tired young children and babies to fine dining establishments.
We could not enjoy our meal and I don't see how they could enjoy theirs either!

From now on, we'll remember to eat LATE, but I wish it didn't have to be that way.

Can't wait to try Citrico's again, 9:30 PS!
Hopefully, we'll be able to experience it the way it should be.

 

[Minniespal]

Sorry that you had such a negative experience.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Originally posted by montessori
I had fried canneloni for an appetizer. Very good.
We shared the warm goat's cheese salad and it was also delicious.

Yum, sounds delish!! So sorry your anniversary dinner was not as magical as it should have been. Although I am a mom to 3 young kids, I really feel your frustration. DH an I have yet to try a few of the nicer places, ie CG, Citricos, V&A because I refuse to bring my kids. As cute as they are other diners should not have to endure their cuteness for an entire meal. However, that will all change in Dec when we are bringing our babysitter along. Citricos here we come! and Jiko too!

Hopefully your next time will be better!

Laura

 

[ducklite]

Laura--I want to thank you for your consideration. It amazes me how many parents think that their kids are perfect (they aren't) and should accompany the parents everywhere (they shouldn't) and have no consideration for others.

It's refreshing around these parts to hear from soemone like you who understands that kids have limits, and as a general rule of thumb, fine dining are not within them!

It's too bad the OP's dinner was ruined. Not to be a Monday Morning QB, but in that case I think I would have asked the manager to intervene and either request the people leave and offer to wrap their food--heck throw in a free dessert, or at least move your table.

Remember Sanka singing in the streets in Jamaica to raise money in "Cool Runnings"--"I'll give you a dollar to SHUT UP!" seems to apply here

Anne

 

[CEDmom]

Montessori,

I'm really sorry your anniversary dinner wasn't all you had hoped it would be. As the mother of a 3 1/2 DD I can relate to children hitting the wall. DD doesn't do it very often but when she does watch out. I'm just wondering how the parents of young children can enjoy their meal when their kids are misbehaving and others are staring. Fortunately DH and I have never been in that position because we only take her to family type restaurants where there are lots of distractions.

 

[patsal]

Another thing many parents don't consider is that although children can be well behaved in fine dining establishments at home, they are not subjeted to the exhaustive days of touring beforehand. ALthough I take my cherubs to many fine dining establishments at home, I wouldn't dream of making them endure the fine dining experience DIsney has to offer. I couldn't enjoy my meal knowing they were uncomfortable trying to act on their best behavior, nor would I want to be embarassed by or subject others to them if they "snapped".

 

[Gillian]

I'm so sorry your anniversary dinner was not all you hoped it would be! That must have been very disappointing.

Citricos is next on our list of places to try without the kids. Although it is VERY expensive to get a babysitter at WDW, it's so nice to have that one relaxing evening to ourselves. DS 2 1/2 is very good, but keeping him amused so that he doesn't disturb others is a constant effort.

 

[montessori]

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

Laura, I also appreciate your consideration, and common sense, when it comes to dining out with young children at DW. It's great to look forward to an adult night at DW!
Your chance is coming and you will enjoy every peaceful (I hope) moment of your delicious dinners!

We've been vacationing at DW a few times a year since our daughter was 4 years old. She's almost 22 now. We helped raise another little girl (our OTHER daughter) and she always went with us. Sometimes we'd bring another friend along for the fun too! We thoroughly enjoyed our family vacations with our girls but always looked forward to the day when we would travel alone and experience the finer Disney restaurants.

Anne, I thought about asking for the manager, but it seemed useless. There were fussy kids everywhere in the restaurant that night! I must admit, it crossed my mind that our server could have done a little something for us when I expressed my disappointment but he didn't so...

I also agree that it doesn't seem like the parents OR the children could possibly be enjoying their dinner, so why do these people continue to pay all that money to suffer through a meal?
I just don't get it really.

I can't see the problem getting better at DW anytime soon, so we will plan accordingly.
Next time, I think we will try Jiko's too!

 

[Pea Picker]

A few thoughts;

A misbehaved child can ruin your dinner at any restaurant. Many children can and do behave at fine dinning establishments and thus parents should feel free to take them. Unless the restaurant has a no children policy then there is not much that can be done. Asking the management to ask the "offending" party to leave the restaurant with a free dessert as an enticement is not fair to the party in question. Some parents like having the kids with them at all times during a vacation or do not trust unknown child sitting services.

However as the parent of a 7 y.o. son I would take my child out if he was acting up anywhere (even at McDonald's). I do not know how crowded the restaurant was that night but I would have asked to be moved if possible.

 

[Joan S.]

montessori, I just wanted to thank you for posting,when my hubby and I go in July this is the place I chose for our ONE nice dinner without the "children"(19,15 and 9).I will be sure to make our PS a little later because of your post! I too LOVE young children, but am looking forward to an adult evening! Thanks, Joan

 

[delikado]

Montessori, I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience, but thanks for the tip. I'm planning on taking my boyfriend to Citricos for his bday, and I chose this restaurant specifically because it was supposed to be more "adult-friendly" than other establishments in WDW (except V&A's, of course). Now I'll definitely make sure to get a later reservation!

 

[ducklite]

Pea Picker--I think it's extremely fair to ask someone being disruptive in a restaurant to leave, regardless of their age. No one should have to be subjected to disruption of any type from other patrons in a fine dining establishment, be it a fussy child or a drunk or obnoxious adult.

If parents don't want to leave their children there are so many child friendly options at WDW, and anywhere else. They chose to be parents, and with that choice comes sacrifice.

Italso seems to me tha they were extremely selfish, putting their wants in front of their child's needs. But taht's another thread.

Anne

 

[jel0511]

I have brought my kids (now 5 and 2) to many of the nicer restaurants at WDW and have never had a problem with them. So, I take offense to those who tell me I can't dine with my children where I want. I am a considerate fine diner. I make the FIRST available PS so I'll be done before most of the "adult only" parties come in. I also don't keep my kids at the parks all day regardless of where we're eating dinner. We always go back to our resort around 2:00 for nap time and pool time. I don't want to overstimulate my kids, again regardless of where we're eating or going in the evening. We also generally try to keep our meals to no longer than 1 1/2 hours long. I know the limitations of my kids, and that is usually their limit. When we did eat at Jiko, it was slightly more than 2 hours, but they were entertained with their VERY colorful food, and all the little trinkets I bring with me. I also bring snacks for them, while we're waiting for our dinner to be served, so they're not whining about being hungry. I agree that there are some VERY inconsiderate people who try to dine at one of the nicer restaurants at WDW, but I don't think I am one of them. So, what I would like to see once is someone who went to a nicer WDW restaurant and report back on the considerate family "over there" to show it can and is done. But, probably we're not noticed, since we're not causing a disruption.

Edited to add: I also will leave (and have left) a restaurant if any of my kids are acting up. First off, it's no fun for me, and it's a lot less fun for those around me.

 

[BCV23]

Personally I think you might have better luck avoiding tired and cranky little ones by eating earlier. Young families who dine earlier have more realistic schedules I think and their children are less likely to be so exhausted that they can't behave.

I think the idea of Citricos as an adult oriented restaurant is a little off these days. When GF Cafe was still open for dinner I imagine families might have chosen it. These days if you're staying there and want to have a nice dinner with young children it's either Citricos or Narcoossee's. Both have fine food and are child friendly in my mind. I think people would just choose which menu appeals to them more. We dined at Citricos Christmas Eve. The dining room was completely full with lots of families with children of all ages. Didn't notice any cranky toddlers. Only crank was our waiter! We did dine on the early side..around 6:00 I think.

 

[hercamore]

I never took my kids out to nice retaurants in the evening till they were in grade school. And then, I made sure they werent' over tired or too stimulated from school to sit still.

Nowa days it seems the norm for kids to be out late not just in restaurants but at movies and shopping too. DD said she saw a 4 yo at l0 p.m. movie the other night!

The poor kid was tired and cranky and wanted to go. The mom just kept shushing her up.

herc.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by jel0511
I have brought my kids (now 5 and 2) to many of the nicer restaurants at WDW and have never had a problem with them. So, I take offense to those who tell me I can't dine with my children where I want. I am a considerate fine diner

Lori, I don't see where anyone ever said you couldn't bring your kids to a restaurant. You do it responsibly, you leave if they get fussy or cranky or restless.

The problem is with people who put their wants before their children's needs...wanting to eat at a certain restaurant is overridden by children needing to go to sleep...you understand that, but regretfully many don't, or don't care.

Regretfully those are also the people who won't see themselves in threads like this, they're simply too self-absorbed.

I just feel that management needs to become more proactive and should ask people (of any age!) who are disruptive to leave, end of story. If your kids aren't you ahve nothing to worry about

Anne

 

[jel0511]

I guess I mis-spoke ducklite, but I get VERY angry when some people make a blanket statement that all kids shouldn't go to the more upscale restaurants in WDW. I agree that some parents aren't responsible and considerate of other diners, but there are families that are. I just wish when someone noticed an "out of control" toddler or child, they'd notice the ones being well behaved. Trust me, I know how a tired, overstimulated child can ruin a meal (I have 2) and I wouldn't want to be the responsible party ruining someone elses expensive meal. I guess what I'm trying to show here, is that there are considerate, responsible parents out there who enjoy dining out at the nicer WDW restaurants. Now, I guess it is possible that some people (and I might even be included here) that don't think their kids are acting up, when to people who don't have kids or their kids are older, think they are. That's the reason I try to eat at the earliest PS time and get out rather quickly. Usually the restaurant is less than half full at that time, and usually other families are dining as well. I'd NEVER dine at a nicer WDW restaurant with a PS later than 7:00. First off, my kids were NEVER last, and I'd have to leave!! I want them to enjoy the experience as much as I do.

 

[PrincessAurora]

Hmmm, the last two times I was at Citricos I dined early and we nearly had the place to ourselves. I did this so I could digest and then go to PI instead of collapse into a food coma.

The only time I asked to be moved was the first time I was there. I was wearing a fur and was seated next to a baby in a high chair. While the kids were well-behaved, babies will be babies and I was within throwing range so I asked to be moved.

Sorry you had that experience. My parents would have been mortified if we (my sister & I) ever acted like that. In fact we never acted out in nice restaurants because we knew that the second we did, we were all going home.

 

[jimmalru80]

jel0511 - I'd like to say that your posts on this subject really hit home and I appreciate the eloquent way you expressed your feelings. My wife and I have always taken great consideration of the people dining around us and we make it a point to plan our meals to avoid any potential "problem" situations. We have always prided ourselves in the behavior of our children, and wish that "they'd notice the ones being well behaved" a little more often. We have made an effort to instill in them a respect for others in all they do. We do not wish to be painted with the broad brush that may have been indicated earlier. Thank you for expressing these feelings so nicely.

 

[jel0511]

Thanks for the support jimmalru80. This goes to show my point, there are other families out there like us!!! I hope you enjoy your next find dining experience at WDW with your family, I know we will!