On Children and Restaurants

The locals of Monroeville, PA are in an uproar.  Why?  Because McDain's Restaurant has banned children under the age of 6 from dining.  This is not an unprecedented move - Olde Salty Restaurant in North Carolina banned screaming children from its premises late last year.


Disclaimer: I am not a parent, nor do I particularly like children.  I do, however, realize that children are people and, as such, I have to tolerate their presence.  At least in certain situations.


Personally, I don't understand why some people are so upset about it.  McDain's styles itself as upscale casual.  To me, the word "upscale," when referring to a restaurant means don't show up in jeans and know how to behave yourself.  You don't treat an upscale (no matter how casual) establishment like you would your local dive bar or McDonald's.  There's a difference.  Parents should realize that.

The Meal That Inspired this Blog

This past weekend, I shared an incredible meal with two very good friends.  Friend 1 (F1) had a gift card to Rooster's Wood-Fire Kitchen and Wine Bar in Charlotte, N.C.  Not one to ever turn down free food, I was super excited.

It was a Saturday, so we called ahead to make reservations.  Heads up: Rooster's only takes reservations until they've reserved 60% of the restaurant.  After that point, you're on your own.  That's what happened to us, and the hostess suggested that the earlier we came, the better.  And that's how three 20-something girls ended up channeling their grandmothers and going to dinner at 6 p.m.