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

[Pea Picker]

I do agree that the parents of that child should have removed the child until he or she would calm down. However if we are to start asking offending families to leave when someone complains about their "privacy" who gets to make that judgement. Also putting the drunk patron and a crying infant in the same category is not fair. I stated that if my child becomes unruly then either my wife or I would remove him. However we have endured many a screaming child at numerous restaurants over the years (like all of you have) and sometimes the parents handle it and sometimes they do not. Meals can get ruined many different ways for different people, should we start asking anyone who offends anyone else to leave.

Lets face it some people will let their kids get away with anything, and that is a reflection on them. However how do we decide when someone needs to be asked to be removed when something that bothers you may not bother me or visa versa. People should not be afraid to take their kids to nicer restaurants at any time (if the restaurant policy allows it) we just need to hope they will respect others.

 

[kidzmom3]

To post on some beautifully behaved children. My Dh and I were eating at the California Grille, waiting for the fireworks, when a very delightful family with 4 children sat next to us. The youngest, looked to be a new born and the oldest possibly 10. They were lovely. They ate, talked and laughed with each other. Were polite. There enjoyment of the fireworks was awesome and their table manners excellent. There was one wail from the baby and one dropped appetiser (1 piece not the whole plate). I would eat next to this family 100 times in any resteraunt. My own children are very well behaved (at times), but this family was exceptional.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Pea Picker
I do agree that the parents of that child should have removed the child until he or she would calm down. However if we are to start asking offending families to leave when someone complains about their "privacy" who gets to make that judgement. Also putting the drunk patron and a crying infant in the same category is not fair.

Not sure where the privacy part came in, I don't associate crying children and privacy together at all.

I find crying and fussy children as irritating as drunk adults, sometimes even more so--as drunks can actually be amusing at times. The point is, that any disruptive patron should be asked to leave, even if its a child. Obviously if the parents don't get it, they need a gentle reminder. The parents that DO get it would never be in that situation. See the difference?

For the record I was not speaking of "your child", bravo to you if you leave/remove the child immediately when your children become disruptive. Regretfully many don't.

Anne

 

[chrissyk]

I think that the manager should have asked the people to leave also. My DH and I were at a local Bertucci's here in MA a few months ago and there was a family with 2 screaming, running little girls about 2 booths away. The parents were doing NOTHING to control their children, and other diners must have complained to the manager. My DH and I saw/heard the manager go over and in a very stern tone tell these people to control their children or leave! We were very surprized (and pleased!) because we'd never seen this happen before. The parents of the wild children seemed shocked too, but they still didn't do much to control the kids. Luckily they left shortly thereafter. If kids are truly being disruptive and destroying the evenings of all of the other patrons in the establishment, then the offending party should be asked to leave!

 

[Pea Picker]

Ducklite in no way did I think you were talking about my child. And in a way I do agree with what you are saying regaring having the child removed. I just wish that the parents would have the sense to address the problem and not leave it to management. I can just see the problems as to what would be the standard for what constitutes a disruptive person and when are they asked to leave. Small disruptions may bother some people while no one else seems to notice, what do you do then.

In our upcoming December trip we wanted to try a "more upscale" eatery however we do not know if we should bring our 7 year old son (not because he can get unruly but we do not know if he would enjoy it). However we also do not want to bring him to a place where he may be the only child in the place. How is the Calif. Grill for a finer eatery with children.

Thanks

 

[Erikarate]

Here is a copy of my review at Citricos in July 2002. I had as similar experience with screaming children...I also included the part about the food, in case people are interested:

Citricos, dinner
I have to say it was posts on the DIS that enticed me to try this place (esp. Uncleromulus' post on the pork). I was NOT disappointed. We ate like kings and queens this night, and I was glad I hadn't eaten much all day. First off however, I noticed that the place was VERY empty. I was surprised by this, but even more so that of ALL the tables in the restaurant, the hostess sat us right in the middle of two large tables of families with small children. One of these tables in particular had a screaming baby and two misbehaving children who were running around the table. DH and I quietly and discreetly requested to be moved. We too take our children to places like California Grille etc. but they are 5 and 7 and we are very strict with table manners esp. in nice restaurants and would never tolerate running around the restaurant or bad behavior like I've seen some parents allow their children to do. This particular evening was for me and my husband, after 10 days at this point of catering to the children, we needed a "time out" ourselves. I could not relax with all the noise. Despite that we were very discreet with our request, the mother of the screaming children made a nasty, unnecessary comment to us something like we hate children or something which is entirely untrue. This was the only glitch of the evening, and DH and I after a few minutes were laughing about it.

The food...I had the crabcake to start and this was just heaven. It was presented differently than any crabcake I've ever had. It was shaped more like..uh...an eggroll (sorry that's all I could think of) and had a crispy coating and a delicious sauce. DH started with an onion tart...it had sweet carmelized onions in it and a flakey crust. DH wanted to also try the lobster bisque, so the server (who was so attentive, funny and wonderful!!) brought us out a portion and split it for us. The only way I could describe this soup is like DESSERT, creamy, sweet, and sinful, with chunks of maine lobster. We both had the arugula and proscuitto salad which I assume was Parma Proscuitto and had shavings of parmesan reggiano in it. Boy, those Italians sure know how to do it. As my entree I had the Honey Paprika Pork Tenderloin with cherry-currant compote. I did have to send it back once as it was underdone, but they made me a new one. This was fantastic, sweet, tender meat, and the subtle sourness of the compote complemented it perfectly. DH had the veal shank which was so tender and flakey it was falling off the bone. He enjoyed this very much. As if we didn't eat enough...we split the chocolate banana torte, which was warm and gooey with chucks of banana and served with coffee ice cream and a tower of gourmet chocolate. PURE HEAVEN!!! We were also fortunate enough to be able to chat extensively with the chef, who visited every table. He was so gracious and friendly, I truely enjoyed his company. It was an enchanting evening and I would come back here again and again.
Overall rating: 9 1/2 (almost perfect evening, a must-do for anyone, IMO).

 

[DEH3rd]

Part of the experience of vacationing is exposing your children to nex and exciting things. fine dining is part of that experience. You should be able to take your children anywhere and have them behaved. The more you expose them to things, the more able they will be to handle themselves in any situation. It is up to the parent to prepare them for the experience by explaining expectations and consequences to the children. If they are too young for that, it is their responsibility to tend to the child's needs in order for the experience not to be ruined for others.

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

that is, BY FAR, the funniest thing that I have read on these boards....ever hear the one about the pot and the kettle....

 

[montessori]

I should have written this in my original post...
We were also sitting next to a family, parents, grandparents, an infant, and a boy around 5 years old.
The boy behaved wonderfully and the infant made a few cute cooing sounds. The whole family was having a nice, leisurely dinner together and it was pleasure to be seated by them.
I complimented the family as they were leaving.
Of course, some children behave in restaurants, and some don't.

The night we were at Citrico's, there were MANY disruptive children and babies there. There was nowhere we could have been moved to so that we could have the nice, romantic dinner we had planned on. If the manager had asked all the disruptive families to leave, the place would have been cleared out!
I'm not sure how management should handle the situation.

"You should be able to take your children anywhere and have them behaved. The more you expose them to things, the more able they will be to handle themselves in any situation. It is up to the parent to prepare them for the experience by explaining expectations and consequences to the children. If they are too young for that, it is their responsibility to tend to the child's needs in order for the experience not to be ruined for others."
DEH3rd

I agree! Unfortunately, many parents feel they should be able to take their children anywhere and NOT have them behave.
That's the problem.

 

[crisi]

In my mind, there is no worse dining experience than deciding to pay a sitter to get away from your own whiny misbehaving children, go to a place where you can reasonably expect a quiet, romantic dinner, and get seated next to someone elses whiny misbehaving children.

At least I love my own.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Pea Picker
Ducklite in no way did I think you were talking about my child. And in a way I do agree with what you are saying regaring having the child removed. I just wish that the parents would have the sense to address the problem and not leave it to management. I can just see the problems as to what would be the standard for what constitutes a disruptive person and when are they asked to leave. Small disruptions may bother some people while no one else seems to notice, what do you do then.

In our upcoming December trip we wanted to try a "more upscale" eatery however we do not know if we should bring our 7 year old son (not because he can get unruly but we do not know if he would enjoy it). However we also do not want to bring him to a place where he may be the only child in the place. How is the Calif. Grill for a finer eatery with children.

Thanks

It's also a open kitchen, so the kitchen noise drowns out a lot of children noise. My 17 year old "tolerates it" (he'd rather grab fast food and head to Disney Quest). He wouldn't "tolerate" Citrico's, btw, just too "quiet" and leisurely for him.

A seven year old might enjoy it--if he is used to fine dining. My advice would be to book an early seating and let the server know that you would like to move things along...and make sure the check is delivered WITH the dessert. That's one thing we don't like at CG--we almost always end up waiting for the check (which is DH's PET PEEVE!)

If you don't think he'd enjoy himself, then how about him spending the evening at the Neverland Club at the Polynesian? My DS used to LOVE going there--he would BEG to go every night!

Anne

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Originally posted by crisi
In my mind, there is no worse dining experience than deciding to pay a sitter to get away from your own whiny misbehaving children, go to a place where you can reasonably expect a quiet, romantic dinner, and get seated next to someone elses whiny misbehaving children.

At least I love my own.

DITTO!!!!

That is my biggest pet peeve. More so here at home than at WDW. DH and I have a "date" night every other saturday, and its getting harder and harder to find a "child free" restaurant. Now before anyone flames me, I have 3 kids, ages 1, 3 & 6.....So its important for my sanity to have adult conversation at least sometimes

Laura

 

[zakatak]

We have never tried any of the fancy upscale restaurants at Disney BECAUSE we have three young children (7, 4 & 2). HOWEVER, this time, we are using Kids Nite Out (in-room sitter) and trying the California Grill. We are also putting the older two into Simba's Cub (AKL) while we take the youngest to Jiko. We have a 5:30pm PS (early) and it will be two of us with one little one... hopefully we should be able to handle her! lol...

Normally, we stick to the "regular" restaurants and teach manners there.

Someday, we will all go for the upscale restaurants, but for now, if I am spending the money, I want to be relaxed! lol

Karen

 

[Beachangel]

I don't have any children, but crying, whiny ones have never bothered me or ruined my meal at DW or anywhere else. I'm sympathetic to the parents because they are stressed over it more than my friends and I.

Men in tank t-shirts bother me more at the better restaurants when eating early.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

This thread took me back to our 25th anniversary, which we attempted to celebrate by going to the Poly Luau. DH & I made the mistake of choosing the early seating, and entering the dining area was like walking into a grade-school cafeteria. We were sandwiched between two families with young children, and the parents on one side did nothing but complain while their 4YO coughed open-mouthed in our direction. It was mayhem, bedlam, and our own dang fault for not having the sense to go to the later seating.

We ended up sneaking out before they finished serving the main courses, and rode the monorail for awhile, and while it wasn't memorable in the sense we had intented, we certainly created a number of inside jokes that evening!

 

[Disney Debbie]

I don't think it matters what time of night you go! We were at Universal last week and ate at Pastamore at 9:00 and were put in the "whining, crying, over-tired and out of control children" room for some reason! I was amazed at how many families with VERY young children and babies were eating that late. The family right next to us had two children that were absolutely miserably tired and crying and they STAYED FOR DESSERT! Both parents looked miserable too. I really don't understand it at all. We talked that night about how when DD was 2 we went to a family pizza rest. with her and my brother and SIL and she started acting up and I took her out immediately. And that was at a Pizza Inn! From the time she was 3 we could take her anywhere and expect her to behave because she was taught how to behave and because we didn't expect her to sit in a nice restaurant at 9:00 at night after a day in a theme park!

I'm always thrilled when I sit near a family with well-behaved children - but since we usually do eat late that rarely happens. If you've got a 3 year old and a baby eating at 9:00 - they are usually starving and tired.

 

[BethC1952]

Just a word in defense of those families with small children who dine late...

My husband worked a rotating shift for 28 years, during which time my son was growing up. Before he started school, our family lived on whatever shift my husband was working, which could mean that we would be having breakfast or dinner at 11 PM. Now my son works a rotating shift, and his family lives on his schedule (at least until my granddaughter goes to school!). It is not unusual for all of us to sit down to dinner at 9:30 PM. Of course, I realize that this isn't the norm for most people.

Also, we took my son, and are now taking my granddaughter, to many fine dining places, and they both have excellent manners (I hope my son does--he's 28!). We "practiced" many times, by getting all dressed up in our "going out clothes", and then going to a local diner or even McDonald's, and pretending we were having a fancy meal. Yes, we did get some strange looks, but we had a lot of fun and got a few comments and compliments.

My granddaughter learned to use silverware reliably before she was three, although we don't let her use sharp knives yet. She can order her own food in familiar places, and always says "Please" and "Thank you". If she doesn't know what kind of food a place offers, she always asks if they have chicken fingers (do all kids love these?). On those rare occasions when she (or any of us for that matter) has a meltdown, we leave immediately so as not to disturb any one else.

And the reason she can do all of these things is that we had many "fine dining practice runs"!

The problem in most cases isn't the kids (they don't know any better unless someone teaches them), it's the parents.

I commend every parent who takes the time to teach their children proper manners from the very earliest days of life. It's hard work, but the rewards are worth the effort!

And if I see your children behaving well in a restaurant, I will always stop to compliment you!

Beth

 

[crisi]

I'll put in another word of defense for families eating late.

If you are from the East Coast, five pm is five pm at Disney. If you are from Seattle or LA, five pm is one pm. Nine pm is five pm. So its possible that those kids in the restaurant at 11pm are from California, flew in yesterday, and are used to eating at 7:00pm their time.

Kids take about an hour a day to adjust their internal clocks. So a family from the West coast who normally eats at 7pm will take four days before 7pm EST feels like 7pm to them.

You can push your internal clocks a little, but the shift from PST to EST is hard.

 

[BCV23]

Good point although the time difference is only three hours.

 

[MHopkins2]

I've been in restaurants (WDW and elsewhere) where I've had to drink myself into oblivion to avoid strangling Little Johnny's parents at the next table. I've also had numerous experiences with precious, well-behaved little angels. If your kids are the latter kind, by all means, come sit next to me! If they're the former, please please PLEASE either use a babysitting service or just don't go to the nicer sit-downs. Ducklite hit it on the head when she said having children was about sacrifice - and that does NOT mean sacrifice on the part of the other adults around you. I just can't fathom it anyway - no one can possibly be enjoying themselves or the large hit to their bank account.

I can see the concept of training your children to behave well in a nice setting, and obviously applaud those efforts. But Citrico's or a similar place is an ending point in that journey, not the beginning.

Again, to those parents with well behaved children (who are willing to whisk them out as soon as "issues" start to occur), I have ZERO problem with you or your children eating anywhere at any time you like.