Going out to eat with a baby or toddler is. . . interesting.
Having worked at restaurants in the past, I never wanted to be *that* parent.
You know. The one who lets their child run wild around customers. Or leaves a terrible splay of food on the ground and tips like shit. When I worked at the doughnut shop in St. Louis, one parent gleefully told me they loved to come there because we’d clean up their mess.
As new parents we’re learning as we go. After spending one lunch at Red Lobster desperately picking-up grains of rice under the chair, we remembered to bring pocket bibs. And after desperately trying to entertain her at Grand Catch with a straw and my cell phone (on silent of course) we bring toys.
And after this patio experience where she slid two plates to the ground, we keep them far, far away.
Sometimes I get to dine out with just adults.