Let’s face it: there’s no magic formula for dining out with kids. You can’t just follow a simple guide and expect everything to go smoothly. Every experience is unique, and the outcome can range from blissful to downright disastrous. But what no one tells you is that it doesn’t always start out this way. The universe plays a cruel trick on new parents by making us believe that babies love going out to eat. It’s only after that game-changing dinner that we realize things will never be the same, at least for the next decade.
The Anniversary That Went Awry
We thought it would be adorable to include our eight-month-old son Georges in our three-year wedding anniversary celebration at our beloved Parisian bistro, Le Picotin. Making a reservation for “two and a half guests,” we naively thought it would be a charming experience. Of course, as any parent reading this can attest, we were wrong.
We had been fooled by the illusion of having a “good baby” who loved watching us eat. The first few months were a blissful blur of peaceful naps in the stroller and sanctimonious grins exchanged over shared glasses of Bordeaux. But that blissful illusion shattered on our anniversary.
Our Parisian bistro adventure became a symphony of “ha has” and “I told you so’s” as we ate in solitude, taking turns walking Georges up and down the street. There was no second glass of wine, no dessert, just a fussy baby and a quiet walk home filled with regret.
The French vs. The American Dining Experience
Traveling back and forth between America and France several times a year, I’ve noticed a difference in how my son responds to dining out in each country. In France, he’s content to sit for a set amount of time, making dining out feasible. In America, however, he’s a different story. He seems to have absorbed the American social pedigree and doesn’t understand why he can’t meet every patron in the restaurant. It’s almost as if he’s mimicking the American penchant for animation, while in France, he adopts a calmer persona, mirroring the hush tones of French diners.
The Highchair Dilemma: Reservations Are Key
In France, you can’t always count on finding a highchair, and even if you do, it might already be in use. French restaurants typically don’t have a stash of highchairs; they usually have just one or two. This is why making reservations is crucial, even for casual restaurants. Always request a highchair and a table that’s out of the way.
Navigating Tiny Spaces: The BabyZen Yoyo
Some French restaurants are so cramped that you can barely squeeze past chairs and tables. This is where the BabyZen Yoyo, the official stroller for Parisian moms, comes in. You’ll see these strollers everywhere in Paris for a good reason: they are a lifesaver. They effortlessly glide into those tiny Parisian elevators, fold up compactly into a large messenger bag, and are even endorsed by Air France.
Is One Country Better Than The Other?
Is one country more conducive to dining with kids than the other? The simple answer is: no. We’ve had both amazing and disastrous experiences in both countries. While we don’t expect elaborate kid-friendly menus in France, or post-meal Comté cheese for kids on Long Island, we have our favorite spots on both continents. These are places with quick, unpretentious service where Georges can be himself—a kid, but a kid who can sometimes be a lot for a small restaurant.
Ultimately, we’ve learned that sometimes the best dining experience is the one you create at home. But hey, who knows, maybe one day we’ll have a dining experience with Georges that doesn’t involve a walk of regret.
