Good family friendly restaurants?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

If you'll look at the context of my post, it was the argument that people SHOULDN'T take their kids to those generic restaurants, because doing so perpetuates said restaurants. Instead, the idea was, if you take them to good, non-cookie cutter restaurants (i.e. "NoTable costs the same as Earls"), maybe you'll see more NoTables out in the suburbs. Do you see where I'm coming from given that context?


Sure, parochial. Whatever. Whatever it is, your progeny are none of my business and I'd prefer you refrain from inflicting them on me. Your freedom to swing your arms about ends (if not before) at the point where they'll come into contact with my head, and so on. Any expectation that others should have to put up with your kid's poor behaviour is beyond impolite. It's certainly selfish.

Did someone's child kill your mom?

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by peter12

Did someone's child kill your mom?

If anyone had, I'm sure they'd have been someone's child...

Honestly I'm kind of being over the top here because I recognize that my reaction is, shall we say, on the extreme end. But people get annoyed by things to varying degrees, and I'd be lying if I said that when this happens I don't think to myself, "screw you, parent of screaming child, there are other people here and your decisions are ruining my night. Get that screaming baby out of here and let me enjoy my meal." Like I would be absolutely untruthful if I tried to tell you that that doesn't go through my head. Hate it like Sliver hates dogs.

EDIT: Upon a bit of introspection here I think my theatricality is getting a bit close to trolling and I've managed to de-rail the thread so I'll just stop here...

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

See, I feel like if I'd posted this or anything like it, I'd be immediately banned.

Again...?

[Addick]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

We have such peculiar expectations around kids in this country. Outside of North America and the Anglo countries, kids are welcome most everywhere. The default assumption in any public place in most of the world is it will be full of families with kids. Anywhere you encounter people - parks, malls, buses, restaurants, the streets - you will encounter children. That's why I get a kick out the presumed sophistication of the adults-only mindset. It's actually very parochial.

One of the things that contributes to this is certain people’s belief that places where families are present need to be family-oriented. Once this begins, adult-only groups start to feel uncomfortable and that enables adult-oriented establishments to flourish and we are then coursed with this silly dichotomy.

[calf]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

If anyone had, I'm sure they'd have been someone's child...

Honestly I'm kind of being over the top here because I recognize that my reaction is, shall we say, on the extreme end. But people get annoyed by things to varying degrees, and I'd be lying if I said that when this happens I don't think to myself, "screw you, parent of screaming child, there are other people here and your decisions are ruining my night. Get that screaming baby out of here and let me enjoy my meal." Like I would be absolutely untruthful if I tried to tell you that that doesn't go through my head. Hate it like Sliver hates dogs.

EDIT: Upon a bit of introspection here I think my theatricality is getting a bit close to trolling and I've managed to de-rail the thread so I'll just stop here...

I'm not yet a parent, but I can imagine the night's ruined just as much, if not moreso for the parents. But, part of raising children is exposing them to new places and teaching proper manners, even if it doesn't work every time.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

They offer a kids menu. That means the proprietors of said establishment welcome children explicitly. I believe their view on this outweighs your own.

I feel for you man, from your posts you're a pretty sad person.

[peter12]

No, no. Okay, this place is great. I recommend this place.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/la-viena-calgary-2

[rubecube]

I pretty much agree with everything CHL has said, hyperbole and all. I also dream of the day I can start an airline company that doesn't allow anyone under 12 to travel on it.

[Galakanokis]

A lot of the time we don't plan to go out to eat but sometimes you end up out later than you anticipated and it becomes necessary. Places like BP and Montana's are great for the drop in lunch or dinner. Foods decent, kids are welcome and it is not crazy expensive. I also get "adults" wanting a nice relaxing meal so we stear clear of places we don't know as to not upset the apple cart. Only thing worse than your kid acting up is having a numb skull give you the look or comment on it.

Can't comment on the OP as I don't live in Calgary but I would like to say I loved going to the old Mother's Pizza when I was young. Loved that place. A good old fashion pizza joint never goes wrong.

[Zarley]

I agree with CHL - unless your kids are able to quietly enjoy their meal, they shouldn't be at a sit-down restaurant.

There are too many parents who sit by and laugh as their kids scream and act up in public. It's as if they don't realize that the rest of us don't find their screaming brat hilarious and adorable.

[Wormius]

I must be in the minority, because I have never been out to a restaurant where children nearby have totally ruined my dining experience. Unless they come up and scream into my ear, or run around and bump my table, I don't get bent out of shape. Hell, even if it happens once, I can handle it. As long as the parents are on it and it doesn't happen repeatedly.

If I am going to a restaurant, I plan ahead to bring a couple of small toys to keep them entertained, and then allow them to order what they want from the menu. Otherwise it's not really anybody's business, nor should anybody get bent out of shape - but me - if my children decided to crawl under the table for whatever reason.

[Locke]

Do they have to be good to families or are only good families allowed in?

[Table 5]

Part of it is realizing that kids have to be put into situations in life where they can learn how one needs to behave. If you only take your kids to Moes Family Feedbag where they can run around and scream their heads off, of course they won’t be able to behave themselves in a real restaurant. No kid is perfect, but they learn quickly and adapt when put in situations and their parents show them the way to behave.

Believe me, 90% of parents out there do everything in their power to make your dinner, or your flight, be as normal as possible. Nobody is more embarrassed in those situations than parents. But at some stage you have to take your kids out in the world and show them how life works. Keeping them shielded away from society is exactly how you get extreme behaviour when they are suddenly put into those situations.

[Erick Estrada]

I would say my boys are pretty average. I'm sure there are better behaved but I know there are much, much worse and it's simply hard to keep <10 year old kids sitting still and quiet for a long length of time even if they are good kids. They don't have ON/OFF switches and some days they are better than others. There have been times where they have been not as well behaved as I would like but I don't think it's ever been to the point where it's overly bothered anyone around us.

I have also seen some terribly behaved kids that have been allowed to run around but it's not like it happens all the time and while you would hope the parents would have better control of their kids it's really not my business and I have never considered myself to be the parent police so I go on with my life.

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't care what any food snob says Montanas is a great place to go if you have kids. They have a decent kids menu, little coloring books, and the ability to color on the paper table mat is a big plus as I play games with my kids drawing them and them guessing which one I drew then they have their go. It's not a place I would go if it's just me and the wife but the food isn't that bad and the kids like it.

Agreed. This has quickly become our go-to place with our 2 year old.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by peter12

Are you serious? Places like Boston Pizza and Montana's are exorbitantly priced for the microwaved garbage they serve you.

You shut up! Montanas has awesome burgers! Especially the Chipotle Firecracker. Man that thing beats a hangover down fast.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I pretty much agree with everything CHL has said, hyperbole and all. I also dream of the day I can start an airline company that doesn't allow anyone under 12 to travel on it.

What's stopping you? Sounds like you have plenty of investors here.

[pylon]

For me it's not kids that drive me nuts in restaurants. It's when you get that table of 40-60 year old women that feel like when laughing cackling, you need to crank the volume up to 11, and rip off knob. And there is always that one that no matter what, that has to be the centre of attention and laugh louder than every one else at the table. No. Matter. What.

I can put up with junior having a 5 minute tantrum, but I have been next to those Hen's tables before, and requested to be moved it's so irritating.

[Knut]

BTW:... for those that said 4 Spot earlier. They opened a new Location called Spot ON. It is on Richard Road in the SW (near MRC).

Great food and welcoming of kids.

[cracher]

Is kiddy distraction still a thing? Since ipads came out, it has been incredibly easy to pacify the progeny at restaurants. Put on Strange Magic or one of them penguin movies and you're clear for 45 minutes. I eat out 6 nights a week and have since she was 0.75 years old (4 now). I'm 100% sure I make more noise than she does.

Mind you, 50% of my meals are at Chinese restaurants so noise is expected as opposed to frowned upon. Oh, and +1 for peter12's La Viena. Love that place.