Kids in restaurants: yea or nay?

“Get your brat out of my face”

-- Amy Alkon,

advice columnist

“If my children are not welcome, then neither am I.”

-- Giorgio Locatelli,

restaurateur

When a young friend of Terry’s asked where she could go out to dinner with her kids, she didn’t have an answer because it’s been a long time since either of us have had the pleasure of whining and dining with small children -- although we are both hoping for that treat in the not-too-distant future. Alex, Anthony and Emily, are you listening?

We decided kids and restaurants was a good topic for a column, and so we did some research. We were absolutely amazed to find that we had uncovered such an emotionally charged topic, fraught with controversy and extreme points of view.

Giorgio Locatelli owns several of the best restaurants in London, but he feels that restaurants should be about comfort and conviviality. “It’s not a church, it’s a restaurant,” he says.

He grew up enjoying big family meals with the kids eating just what the adults did. His trendy new restaurant is militantly child-friendly. Celebrities like Madonna and Guy Ritchie dine there and happily bring their kids.

On the other hand, food columnist Christina Waters, in an article entitled “Screaming Me Me’s,” says, “Who among us has not had the unnerving experience of settling into a favorite booth at a cozy bistro, only to have that delicate arugula appetizer obliterated by the piercing cries of unrestrained children? ... How can these people inflict their offspring on other people in the room, other people who are paying good money and spending precious time in quest of a soothing atmosphere and an enjoyable dinner experience? Restaurants are public places, not exercise yards for feral youngsters.”

For extremists, there may be no compromising, but for the reasonably sane, we would like to suggest some family dining tips that might make dining out more pleasant for all concerned.

* Prepare the children in advance. Explain the expectations and motivate them to rise to the challenge, and make it feel like going out to dinner is a treat for them too.

* Make reservations so you don’t have to wait, and be sure to mention that you are bringing children so the restaurant can be prepared. Choose a time when your children won’t be too tired or too hungry.

* Take along a snack and bring a toy, a book, crayons and paper to promote patience until the food arrives.

* Don’t let children have sugary drinks before the food is served. In fact, maybe sugar is contraindicated all day if you are planning to go out for a nice meal.

* Don’t order food your children will hate just to get them to try something new. Experiment at home.

* If your child makes a scene, take him or her outside. Screaming, wailing and whining are very unpleasant to other diners and wait staff. They can’t tune it out the way you can.

* Keep your children at your table. Not everyone will find your child as charming as you do.

* Clean up after your family, especially if the floor looks like a hurricane just passed through.

* Pay the check early so that you don’t have to wait around for it. If your children begin to get frazzled, you can beat a hasty retreat.

* Tip generously in direct proportion to how obnoxious your children have been.

* If you cannot control your children at a restaurant, get a baby sitter. You probably need a break anyway.

Terry’s friend knows that she can always take her kids to pizza parlors and burger joints. She’s looking for a place to enjoy a nice dinner out.

CHILD-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS

Here is a list of Laguna restaurants that are child-friendly, broken down into three categories.

The first category includes places that provide high chairs, booster seats and an actual children’s menu. These menus generally include burgers, hot dogs and grilled cheese. Many have chicken fingers, quesadillas, some kind of pasta and mini-pizzas as well as individual offerings. The first three on this list feature extensive children’s menus including real dinner entrées.

The Royal Hawaiian, 494-8001 (also fish tanks and a flaming dessert)

Coyote Grill, 494-4033

The Loft at the Montage Resort, 715-6000.

The Beach House, 497-9707

Cabana, 376-8595

Canyon Lodge, 499-2663

Cedar Creek, 497-8696

C’est La Vie, 497-5100

The Cottage, 494-3023

Eva’s, 499-6311 (warm welcome for children)

Hennessey’s, 494-2743

Mozambique, 715-7100

Olamendi’s, 497-4148

Pomodoro, 497-8222

Romeo Cucina, 497-6627

Salerno, 497-2600

Splashes, 376-2779 ( “ ... although we have a romantic atmosphere.”)

The following restaurants will gladly accommodate children with specially prepared dishes or half-size portions.

Aegean Café, 494-5001

Brussels Bistro, 376-7955

China Bistro, 499-5236

Javier’s, 494-1239

Las Brisas, 497-5434

Mandarin King, 494-8992

Modo Mio, 497-9770

Picayo, 497-5051 (Papa Hamid just loves kids)

Royal Thai, 494-8424

Rumari, 494-0400

Thai Brothers, 376-9979

230 Forest Ave., 494-2545

These restaurants welcome “well-behaved children” and will make something special for them.

Robilio, 497-6220

San Shi Go, 494-1551

Sorrento Grille, 494-8686

Ti Amo, 499-535020060203iu2z8jncDON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Andrew Castro, left, enjoys a grilled cheese sandwich while Ashton Goddard, center, and Joey Gallo enjoy chicken fingers and a kids burger, respectively, at the Canyon Lodge.