Going out to eat

itsmexine · April 2011

We are going to Brio tomorrow for MIL's b-day lunch. If I recall correctly they use table cloths. How the heck am I supposed to let R eat and not make a complete and utter disaster of the table cloth?

I thought about a place mat but I'm pretty sure that will just get tossed. Also she won't let me really feed her anymore. And if I give her a fork or spoon she just takes the food off of it before she chews on it.

Any suggestions? I'm not 100% positive that they use table cloths, does anyone know? If they don't I can just get one of those suction bowls. Oh figuring our logistics is such a PIA some times.

BrideBuddies · April 2011

It's a restaurant. They deal with this stuff all the time.

If you're that worried, call ahead and they can scotchgard the place! I've also discovered that I now over-tip when C makes a big scene/mess.

itsmexine · April 2011

Meh, I'm really not that worried about it but I firgured I'd like to try to keep things contained if possible. I guess that is also why they use white table cloths....so they can bleach the crap out of them.

dkays · April 2011

BrideBuddies:

It's a restaurant. They deal with this stuff all the time.

Ditto!

Don't worry. She is so cute that she will get by with anything. Also, it's in their best interest to treat you right so they will have a long time customer. If the mess is big, I do tip more.

Have fun!

daisydana · April 2011

I would be worried about Sydney grabbing and pulling at the table cloth too but I think I would just push the high chair as close to the table as you can. Preferably under it so she doesn't see the ends to grab. Otherwise, normal kid stuff. I used to waitress in a fine dining restaurant. Your server has seen it all, don't worry. Are you going a little earlier than normal or will it be closer to her bedtime?

itsmexine · April 2011

daisydana:
little earlier than normal or will it be closer to her bedtime?

We're going for lunch.

Thanks ladies - I know it will be fine. I'll just plan on bringing her piggy bank...lol Ok mine

BrideBuddies · April 2011

The more I think about it.. I'd probably bring her foods that aren't as messy as other things. Crackers, pieces of cheese, cut up fruit, etc. rather than spaghetti and other really messy stuff.

peeper72 · April 2011

We met up with Kathi and Sarah last weekend. Someone at the indoor playground (it was a yucky day) had these:

https://www.tabletopper.com/tabletopper/Products/?Name=table_topper.

Neat idea. Looks like they carry them at Target.

ateytelb · April 2011

Are you worried about tablecloth getting dirty, or R pulling it off the table?

Those tablecloths get dirty and go in the laundry after each use anyway.

R is still too young to be able to pull it off the table. She would have to get off her high chair, get under the table and then pull the corner pretty hard. J. was much older when he started doing this.

robynlesley · April 2011

My only concern with tablecloths is hot liquid (ie. coffee) because of what happened to Aaron last year. For those who weren't on the board then, late last March, when Aaron was 7 months old, after our Passover Seder my MIL had him on her lap. She didn't see my SIL put down a cup of black coffee. Aaron tugged on the table cloth and the coffee spilled on his left leg and foot?mostly his foot. He had 3rd degree burns and we called 911 and I went with him in an ambulance to the ER.

Thankfully it healed completely. One year later you can barely notice the discoloration remaining on his foot. But I am very nervous around tablecloths and hot coffee still. Messes... not so much. I KNOW Aaron will make a big one. ;-)

itsmexine · April 2011

Well, I was worried about the mess but it is a moot point now. MIL was admitted to the hospital for chest pains. All of her tests came back ok but we are still concerned because she has had a heart attack previously. They are keeping her for oberservation tonight.

Robyn- I'm glad Aaron recovered. My sister was burned with coffee when we were kids on a car trip it was horrible. She has a very small scar on her arm from it.

robynlesley · April 2011

Oy! Mexine!!! I'm sorry about your MIL! I hope all is OK!

And don't worry about messes. The way I see it, if the restaurant has a high chair, they're prepared for the mess.

And I'm sorry your sister was burned as a child. I am grateful every day that Aaron's burn was treated so quickly and healed so well.

indianasunshine · April 2011

Yikes! The coffee thing scares we daily!

Hope your MIL is OK!

Piranha54 · April 2011

Hope your MIL is OK! We were at a Brio on christmas eve for lunch with Ellie and Fiona and they were prepared for kiddos, stollers the whole lot. Hopefully, your MIL will be up and ready for her lunch soon. And I'm with BrideBuddies - if we have a bigger than expected mess, I add more to the tip.

NewMrs07 · April 2011

Don't you put her in a high chair? There's no way DH and I could eat out unless Adrian was strapped into a high chair. If not, I guess you could ask the waiter to remove the tablecloth, although I'm sure they don't care about the mess. Most restaurants that use tablecloths use white ones so they can be bleached regularly.

NewMrs07 · April 2011

Sorry, I just caught up reading the rest of the posts. Coffee, huh? How scary. We always sit at a table for 4 (even though we're 2 + LO) because the part of the table that's closest to LO has to be clear of any items, so we end up using only half of it. He would def. reach for anything that he sees within reach.

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