Taking children to a fancy restaurant?

My opinion is take the children. If they misbehave you're the parent, you take care of it. If they can't settle down long enough to enjoy your meal then excuse yourself and leave. Never allow a crying baby to disrupt a dining room, even if it's in a McDonald's. It's rude to the other guests.

Your cousins statement on the other hand is exact why diners hate to see children in fancy restaurants. It's the attitude of the selfish parents who think it's OK for their kids to misbehave in public, don't know how to properly teach them manners and can't be bothered with discipline and if it's offensive to others that's our problem, not theirs. Bad parents, not bad kids are what's spoiling the evening. Lead by example. If the nephews and nieces start to misbehave you have to correct the parents behavior so they can correct their children's.

Being a former chef there are 2 other scenario's, the restaurant my not allow the children this is happening more in the US or if they act up and are out of control, you all could be asked to leave, I worked in a place many years ago, this couple had a 2 yr old with them, she was running around, taking food off other peoples plates and even poured water on the carpet, when asked to control the child both parents said they were paying good money for the food and service, get use to it, need less to say they were asked to leave and never return, we got a letter from there lawyer 3 weeks later wanting compensation and a written apology, it never happened, I would call the place ask them there policy and if you could be seating in an area the kids would not be tempted to act up, your 1 yr old is not likely to be the problem, adults cause more trouble than kids generally.

I agree with your gut instinct. Others dining in a restaurant like this do NOT expect little children (especially that age) to be there. It's rude to take them there. Do what you want, but I assure you if you take your son, you will get dirty looks all night long and not have a good time.

Stay home.

This seems harsh, but honestly I wouldn't want children there. They can be really loud and fussy and it ruins the whole experience. Maybe try to schedule dinner at a more kid-friendly restaurant?

As long as the kid or kids are contained and not allowed to run around the place,I don't see a problem with it.If a baby is crying,that's okay too.Go out and enjoy yourself.

well honestly it depends on the child's behavior. if they are mature enough to be polite and respect other people to the resturant then they should be welcomed. if I were spending good money and the child misbehaved i would be upset. if I were on a date and the child acted good I wouldn't mind.

well I think it all depends on how the kids are behaving.. some will go run around, then I would say its not suitable, other adults can have their kids behave, then it would be fine in my opinion.