Does anyone know if Ruth's Chris has a children's menu?

[5 Disney Fans]

We are taking my Mom there for her b-day and she would like our kids to come too. When making the ressies I asked if it was "ok" to bring young children and I was assured it would be fine. The guy I spoke with mentioned he would write "seat in secluded area" on our reservation so we don't feel too uncomfortable with the kids. I didn't ask if they had a children's menu though and I hate to think I have to order for them off the adults menu

Also, DH and I are footing the bill for the birthday dinner and invited my Sister and BIL along (they are very tight on cash so we offered to pay, it is a milestone b-day and my Mom is ill so we really want the whole family to be there). My DSis and BIL are known to order heavily on the adult beverages. Is there any tactful way to ask them not to go too crazy? I mean how do you tell someone "We love for you to join us, and we will cover your dinner, but please don't kill us on the bar bill" I hate to offer someone something with strings attached but dinner there will be super expensive for 6 adults and 3 kids but lots of alcoholic beverages will just be more then we can cover.

 

[disneystacy]

I don't think they have a kids menu.

Drinks are VERY expensive.

I would tell your family ahead of time that if they want drinks, it will be put on a separate bill for them to pay. Tell them " I hope you understand".

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Well, I'd just pretty much say what you've said here (leaving out the part where you think they drink too much). Something like: "We really want everyone to be there for Mom's special birthday, so we're happy to pay for your dinner, but our budget won't stretch to buying drinks as well. So we thought we'd just have everyone pay for their own drinks. Does that sound okay to you?" Then the ball is in their court, and most people aren't going to say, no I won't come unless you pay for all my drinks as well. If you're willing, you could also say something like "we think we could afford to buy one glass of the house wine per person with dinner, and if people want more they can pay for those separately." Just be upfront about it.

Teresa

 

[GoodFairies]

From a quick search it appears that some locations offer a children's menu and some do not. I think you should call back and ask your specific location just so there are no surprises.

I hope your tight-on-cash siblings use common sense and realize that being treated to dinner doesn't mean someone else foots the bill for excessive drinking. If you feel you must spell it out, then do it. I think a single glass of wine or champagne to toast your mom is appropriate, however (if you all do drink).

 

[kristilew]

At RC, the veggies are orderd as "share" dishes, so you should be able to get, for example, a serving of asparagus that would do for your kids as well as you and your dh.

Then just order a small cut of steak for them to share or a larger cut than you would ordinarily eat for you, and share that with them, depending on how much they eat.

RC is very accomodating about shared portions. You shouldn't have to order an individual meal for your kids, so won't really need a kid's menu.

Enjoy - it's one of my favorite restaurants!

 

[5 Disney Fans]

Thank you all for your responses. I think I feel better now that I'm not being "tacky" in suggesting that they go easy on the drinks. I think I will order a bottle or two of house wine for the table (I'm willing to forgo a glass so that there is enough for everyone) and tell my sister that if she and her DH want to order from the bar they can put that on a separate bill. Of course in a my dreams I'd be able to say "if you guys didn't spend so much money on booze and cigarettes maybe you'd be able to afford to pay for dinner yourselves!"

I will call the restaurant where we have ressies and ask about the kids menu. The one near us is only open for dinner so I can't call until later. That is why I posted the question here, b/c y'all know so much and I was anxious to have an answer.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I asked if it was "ok" to bring young children and I was assured it would be fine.

No doubt most restaurants wouldn't want to turn away customers. But I can assure you that if you have young children who are just being typical young children that there may well be other customers NOT happy that your children are there. Unless your kids are older, or exceptionally well-behaved in restaurants, just know that you might get dirty looks or a stare or two. RC is a very expensive, high-end place and not generally a place to take children. That's not to say you can't do it, just giving you some insight so you're prepared. My kids are exceptionally well-behaved in restaurants but I still wouldn't take them to RC out of fairness to the adults looking for quiet, intimate celebrations there. Just my $.02.

 

[Bevin]

Maybe our Ruth's Chris is different, but I see a lot of younger kids with parents, and a lot of people wearing jeans also. I was really surprised the first time I went there w/ DH, as I thought it would be a lot more formal than it was.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Maybe I'm rude... but I'd tell my sister that I'm buying dinner... but not drinks since the kids are around
If your mom orders one...so what..it's HER birthday

 

[5 Disney Fans]

My kids are 10, 7, and 3. I asked if a private room was available for the date we are going so that the kids do not disturb other diners and he told me they would put us in a private room if available. Plus I made the earliest reservation I could. I am not looking to ruin dinner for anyone, but I would like my mom to have her grandkids with her for what could very well be her last birthday.

 

[carmie3377]

DD was 6 when we went to Ruth's Chris to celebrate DH's PhD graduation. We did not feel out of place and the server went out of her way to make our DD feel special. I don't remember about the kid's menu but I do remember side item portions being huge!

 

[Vacation Lover]

You could say something like, "Dinner's our treat, and we plan to get a bottle of wine so we can toast Mom. If you want any additional drinks the server said he'd be happy to put it on a separate bill for you."

 

[Bren's Mom]

My kids are 10, 7, and 3. I asked if a private room was available for the date we are going so that the kids do not disturb other diners and he told me they would put us in a private room if available. Plus I made the earliest reservation I could. I am not looking to ruin dinner for anyone, but I would like my mom to have her grandkids with her for what could very well be her last birthday.

Sounds like you have done everything you can in consideration of the other diners and so that you all have a great time. I hope it's wonderful...and I hope that you're wrong about it being your mom's last.

 

[5 Disney Fans]

Sounds like you have done everything you can in consideration of the other diners and so that you all have a great time. I hope it's wonderful...and I hope that you're wrong about it being your mom's last.

Thanks Bren's Mom. I hope so too. I am the last person to bring my kids to places that they shouldn't be b/c truth be told I have a hard time relaxing and enjoying myself when I'm worried about my kids behaving properly or bothering other people. Even in an Applebee's though we have been known to take an "offending" child out to the parking lot for a "cool down" period. I never understand those people who can go on eating a meal while JR screams his bloody head off and tosses his crayons at the passing waitstaff.

 

[mpls_mm]

I love Ruth Chris. While they don't mention a children's menu in many locations, it is a verbal menu. Steak, chicken or fish and a side dish. We do shared veggies and a dessert is included. I think it was $10 or $11. We went recently and they took the kids to the back and let them make their own desserts and tour the kitchen while the adults had their dessert. They were gone at leats half an hour. It was great and they had fun. I had one adult beverage (no one else did), three adults and two kids meals and it was over $300. They have that national promo now with two people for $89. We were happy with that, but we had an odd number so it didn't work as well as it could have.

 

[d1gitman]

Ruth's Chris is our all time favorite. We threw a B-Day party for my wife last yr. at the one in Boston. They gave us a private room with a 50" plasma over the door. We got to watch the Redsox in a pivotal playoff game while eating world class food.mmmmmmmmmmmm

of course the bill brought us back to reality

 

[NMW]

They do not have a specific kids menu, but will be more than happy to work with you. We dine at RC and a couple other places without kids menus with our kids all the time. Maggianos and Cheesecake factory are 2 that come to mind. They will split dishes, let the kids order appetizers for their meal, etc. We have never had a problem, nor have we ever felt unwelcome. We DO order drinks though, so I can't comment on that.

 

[DaisyD]

I'v been to two RCs in the past. DH and I were going to the one in Baltimore, the nicer one, once a month for a year before we got tired of it. That one was very quiet, the people dressed nicely, and I never saw one kid in it.

Last week a friend of ours invited us to RC in Wash DC. DH and I dressed nicely as we would for our RC. We go up to the door and are greeted by our friend and his wife who are both in shorts! I was shocked and thought Wow can't these people dress for a nice restaurant! We then entered the restaurant only to be greeted by half the patrons dressed in shorts and polos and the rest in jeans and t-shirts. The place was loud too and nothing like the RC we frequent. Kids everywhere too! I had worn dress pants, blouse, and heels. DH had on dress pants and dress shirt. We felt sorely out of place to say the least.

I guess it depends on what RC you are going to. I just couldn't believe the differences in the two that we have been to. As far as drinks, yes they do add up very quickly. We took DHs brother and SIL to RC last year for his 40th B-Day. Usually when DH and I go alone our bill is around $150. Well, this birthday meal we had a couple of beers and some glasses of wine. Our bill was almost $500 for 4 people! I almost fell of the chair when we got that bill. I would certainly tell them you can't pay for drinks unless you want to pony up hundreds of dollars extra.

 

[5 Disney Fans]

Wow Daisy D! What a difference in the two restaurant locations!

I've been to one in NYC, it was very nice but very empty. It was just DH and I for lunch before a Broadway show. I've been to one in Arlington with business associates. Again, very nice... no kids in sight. And I've been to one in San Juan. Again on business and in a small private room. I did see kids in that one but it was at a resort so I would expect familys on vacation would stop in. We planned on dressing "business causual" as the website suggested. And we will make sure the kids are in their Sunday best. It is an occassion afterall.

I called the restaurant last night and asked if they had a kids menu and they said they do. I also asked if we can order a birthday cake and they said they don't "do cakes" but I am welcome to bring one. So how is that for "budget"? LOL BYOC!

Thanks everyone for your comments I love to hear what everyone has to say.