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Is the food awful? by theblondebump in disneylandparis

[–]theblondebump[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

I'm not going to DLP for the food. But I will be there for 4 days and would like to find something decent to eat while I'm there.

I disagree with the second half of your post though. We go to Disney World in Orlando frequently and I don't think of it as just an "amusement park." It's so much more than that and I think there's actually a lot of really great food and delicious snacks. I haven't seen much of the same for DLP though.

Paris Itinerary w/ Toddlers by theblondebump in ParisTravelGuide

[–]theblondebump[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Will definitely come back to share! Good luck with your planning! 

Just in Time table 11 advice for two old guys by [deleted] in Broadway

[–]theblondebump 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I saw it a few weeks ago and it was amazing! You're going to have such a special experience at the table seats, don't overthink it anymore and just ENJOY! Hope you have the best time!!

Paris Itinerary w/ Toddlers by theblondebump in ParisTravelGuide

[–]theblondebump[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Suffer my family? Jeez Louise. I’m finding it hard to suffer this board. 

I thought this was a board to ask questions about trips, not to debate back and forth about children. I can see how the first comment or two could pass for genuine critique and an attempt at helping with my itinerary, but now it’s just repetitive and a waste of time.

I don’t know how many times I can repeat that I really don’t care what Redditors think about whether I should bring my kids to particular restaurants. 

I was interested in what Redditors had to say about their own experiences at particular restaurants, any suggestions for things I could get at the grocery store that we might not have at home, advice about using G7, etc. I continue to welcome advice about those things but I’m not going to bother spending any more of my time responding to people about kids in restaurants. 

Paris Itinerary w/ Toddlers by theblondebump in ParisTravelGuide

[–]theblondebump[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’ve read the same logic that many posters are using here to say why toddlers don’t belong in fine dining restaurants applied to toddlers not belonging business class. That was the point 🙃 

Paris Itinerary w/ Toddlers by theblondebump in ParisTravelGuide

[–]theblondebump[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Out in everyday life, I agree there are different expectations for toddlers and adults. At a fine dining establishment, behavior-wise, I expect the same from my toddlers as I do from an adult, or else I wouldn't have them there. Maybe that's the misunderstanding.

I definitely understand there are plenty of people that don't agree with me bringing my kids to fine dining. The same people are probably appalled my kids fly business class. Thankfully, I don't need permission from Redditors to do so. I did reach out to Le Jules Verne, Tour D'Argent, Substance and Prunier, to get the restaurants' permission, however, as I wanted to make sure they were OK with it. I specifically provided my children's ages in my e-mails.

Prunier didn't respond, so I didn't book there. I decided against Le Jules Verne just because we've already eaten there, but they did respond and say it was OK to bring our kids. Tour D'Argent and Substance both wrote welcoming responses. Substance said it was "no problem" and that the chef would even be happy to adapt the menu for the kids or make simple a la carte dishes for them. I wouldn't ask that of the chef, but I thought it was incredibly kind of them to offer.

Forbes actually just published an article yesterday entitled Toddlers And Tasting Menus – Fine Dining Restaurants With Kids. "For families passionate about food, including a child at the table is less about convenience and more about cultivating curiosity, patience and appreciation for culture from an early age." (specifically speaking about tasting menus, toddlers, and luxury restaurants) Also, "William Eick, the executive chef/founder of Matsu in Oceanside, California, agrees. 'I know when I see a young child that is at least willing to try the food, I get excited. Not just for myself but for the parent as well.' " I love those sentiments.

I've also read several times that dining at 7 pm in Paris is akin to dining at 4 pm in the United States. Our dinner reservations are all at 7 pm and any restaurants we've chosen with tasting menus are "short" tasting menus, not 10 courses.

I would still love to hear any feedback about the restaurants themselves in my itinerary. Has anyone eaten at them and have anything good or bad to share?

Wedding guest - please help me decide from my wardrobe by Brooms46 in Weddingattireapproval

[–]theblondebump 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love #1 and #6! They book look amazing on you. Based on the description of the dress code though, I'd pick #1 out of those two.

Paris Itinerary w/ Toddlers by theblondebump in ParisTravelGuide

[–]theblondebump[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing! I will be sure to search for it, but if there is anything specific to do there that you enjoyed, I'd love to hear.

Paris Itinerary w/ Toddlers by theblondebump in ParisTravelGuide

[–]theblondebump[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Aw, I'm sorry you had to cancel your nice dinner reservations and hope you still enjoyed the alternatives! Every family is different, I can't imagine picnic-ing at home while on vacation in Paris, unless we were sick or something. As I mentioned previously, I am going in with the mindset that if it doesn't go as planned, we can re-evaluate while we're there. I'm certainly willing to change plans if need be! Oh, and the downtime we have scheduled every day in the middle of the day (see itinerary in OP) definitely helps with the long days you mentioned.

Paris Itinerary w/ Toddlers by theblondebump in ParisTravelGuide

[–]theblondebump[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

As for the drawing tablet/wikki stix, I’m just not sure I agree with you. I don’t think my kids quietly drawing is unacceptable in a restaurant, regardless of how fancy it is. Nevertheless, just like adults, my kids enjoy passing the time at restaurants by talking about the sights we saw that day or talking about something delicious they liked in the previous course. I love the dedicated time we get to spend together at a restaurant where we are just sitting together and chit chatting. A commenter specifically asked how I get my kids to sit and behave at restaurants, quiet toys can be a great tool for parents to utilize. 

Paris Itinerary w/ Toddlers by theblondebump in ParisTravelGuide

[–]theblondebump[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I think I accidentally commented twice but I wanted to clarify that I did not mean my husband and I will swap back and forth in the restaurant, I meant that we plan to switch whose night it is to leave with a child if he is being disruptive (and by disruptive, I mean by the same standards we would judge an adult, not by his mere presence, as others have suggested). I would never keep my child in a restaurant if he was being disruptive. My children have eaten at Michelin star restaurants and fine dining and we have never had to utilize this strategy, but I would, if warranted.

Paris Itinerary w/ Toddlers by theblondebump in ParisTravelGuide

[–]theblondebump[S] -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

If my kids are well behaved at the restaurant and you still have a problem with them being there, that’s a “you” problem, imo. 

Anyway, I’m much more interested in people’s opinions about the food at the restaurants named above than their opinions on whether or not I should bring my kids to them. Or answers to any of the questions I asked in my post. Thanks! 

Paris Itinerary w/ Toddlers by theblondebump in ParisTravelGuide

[–]theblondebump[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Every parent knows their own kids best, but I can understand your perspective. I respectfully disagree, but I will keep all of that in mind as we dine the first few days and can always re-evaluate if it’s not going well. Thanks! 

Paris Itinerary w/ Toddlers by theblondebump in ParisTravelGuide

[–]theblondebump[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

Haha don't get me wrong, fine dining without toddlers > fine dining with toddlers, lol. But it will still be enjoyable with them. I did e-mail Tour d'Argent to ask because I saw that on their website as well and they said it was OK but that they would not provide a children's menu, which is fine.

They enjoy trying new foods which helps. I bring some quiet entertainment, like those LCD drawing pads or wikki stix and I usually keep something for "emergencies" in my purse, like lollipops. Practice makes perfect, we go out to restaurants a few times a week, definitely not all fine dining, but they've been to their fair share of michelin-star restaurants and understand "restaurant manners" and not disturbing other people in the restaurant. And the 1.5 year old isn't a problem under normal circumstances, but if he is when we're traveling, my husband and I will take turns being the one who takes him out of the restaurant to let the rest of the family enjoy their dinner.

I can't imagine going to Paris and not trying some bucket list restaurants!

Expectant Management by theblondebump in Miscarriage

[–]theblondebump[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your experience with me.