Kids and Restaurants

Buttons is all and all a very well behaved child. However, when she is overly tired and overly hungry, she can very much (understandably) act her age. Once when she was loudly crying we were politely asked to shut-up or get out...at a diner. We were with friends, but we left and had lunch back home. I have not been back to this diner since. I certainly understand the need for things to be quiet while people are eating, but I was embarrassed and sure that I'd leave a place far before anyone would tell me it was time to skedaddle.

We do go out to eat and in general we try to take Buttons to kid friendly places. Honestly, she really does a good job, but there is a timer that starts the minute we enter the restaurant and unless something fabulous is happening, there is a time when she needs to go. This is her favorite place along with this place. There's also an excellent local place that has wonderful Chinese food that she digs as well.

Tonight we went here and really enjoyed it. The food was very good AND they are kid friendly without being a "kid's restaurant". They had crayons and a coloring book for her and when we ordered, the waitress asked if Buttons would like her food right away. She came back with our drinks, bread, olive oil and some raw (no egg) pizza dough on a small plate. Let me tell you, our little cook was in hog heaven. She smooshed the dough, added some of the cooked bread, pretended to add a few things and then just before the food came, they asked Buttons if she wanted it cooked in the oven (oh yes). As we were finishing our meal, they brought the cooked dough back and Buttons was thrilled. Hubby and I were actually able to talk about our upcoming vacation while our girl kneaded away. If that weren't enough, our waitress was wonderful and after asking her manager, decided since it was our first time there, they would send us home with their most popular dessert. I do like to support locally grown businesses, but this place was tops in my book and I look forward to going back.