As a twenty something, new mum of twins (yes twins....no their not identical, they aren’t double trouble and yes I’ve got my hands full) who loves to eat out. I didn’t want becoming a mummy to be the end of my wining and dining experience, I still want to enjoy eating my way through the restaurants of my home city (Leeds). Instead of waiting for the odd date night with the hubby (every blue moon) to visit nice restaurants, i think it’s time i broaden my horizons of the eating out experience and take on a new challenge....eating in nice restaurants with my 10 month old twin sons! When I say restaurants i mean nice restaurants, so no, this does not include typical family haunts such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut or anywhere that has a whacky warehouse attached.
I believe parents don’t have to live in fear of eating in nice restaurants with their babies or toddlers. Just because there isn’t a high chair insight doesn’t mean that the restaurant you’ve heard all your friends talking about doesn’t have one. It typically means that many parents are too scared to enter; worrying that they’ll be turned away by a snotty hostess who’s only worry in life is what to wear that day!
So, I’ve created this blog to follow my family and I on our tour of restaurants, providing you with an honest review of what it’s actually like to eat there with babies and if I’d recommend it..... and remember I have 10 month old twins so I’m definitely putting restaurants to the test!
Here is my first review:
Restaurant Bar & Grill, Leeds
http://www.therestaurantbarandgrill.co.uk/leeds.html
Occasion: Celebration drink and light lunch with friends and my twin sons.
Day & Time: Saturday 1.00pm
As it was a rare sunny day my friends and I wanted to take advantage of the restaurants large outdoor seating area and as we were celebrating my friends engagement we wanted to go somewhere nice. When we arrived at the restaurant, with my double buggy (aka the bus) there wasn’t a highchair or buggy insight, I started to fear that we were going to be turned away in front of all the al fresco diners in their designer shades.
I had no reason to fear, the restaurant host showed us to a lovely table in the shade and was quick to attend to all of our needs, even ensuring I had enough space for my buggy. The boys were asleep at this point so i left them to snooze in the shade while we enjoyed a celebration drink. When they woke up we were offered nice wooden highchairs (no trays) for the boys to sit in. The only looks we received from other diners were those of happy smiles to see twins, not frowns or disgust for bringing babies to this restaurant.
The restaurant was happy to assist with heating baby food and as we were outside they didn’t seem to mind if any accidently ended up on the floor - bonus!
The only downside to our experience was the baby changing facilities, as they were located down stairs, through the staff room. I thought this was very odd, you did have to ask to use these facilities and you were lead down the spiral stairs (no lift, definitely not ideal if you have more than one child or unable to carry your child) to the baby changing room. However, the staff were willing to be a spare pair of hands and help carry anything you needed to the changing room, which was clean and well equipped.
Overall, it was a very pleasurable experience, friendly, welcoming staff, plenty of room for the buggy, comfy clean high chairs and the boys behaved. I would definitely recommend for any parents and babies who want to enjoy a spot of al fresco dining during the day
Service 4/5
Baby Facilities 3/5
Space for Buggy 4/5
Food for adults 4/5
Food for Children – N/A as we brought our own this time
Wonder where we’ll eat next week...
PS if you’d like to eat somewhere with your family in the Leeds area and are too nervous to try, let me know and we’ll be the guinea pigs!
I'm now on twitter, follow me @LBThatLunch
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