Readers Weigh In: No Babies at Upscale Restaurants

Earlier this week, Chicago chef Grant Achatz announced that he was considering banning babies from his restaurants after a couple brought their eight-month-old infant to Alinea, an upscale restaurant in Lincoln Park that costs upwards of $210 per meal — not including drinks. 

We asked Patch readers what they thought of the ban — should babies be allowed in fancy restaurants? The response was nearly a resounding NO. 

"I think that the parents are very inconsiderate of other people," wrote reader mrember. "Who wants a crying baby at an upscale restaurant or even any restaurant that isn't fast food." 

Jenn Root on Facebook agreed. 

"If clubs can tell you if you can/cannot come in based on a dress code, I think it is perfectly acceptable to tell people that they can not bring children to an establishment," Root commented on Facebook. "I would say after a certain time, like after 8 p.m., they should be in bed anyway."

Other readers thought there were a few exceptions to the rule.

"Only if they are fancy baby restaurants" joked Joseph Bornstein. 

Patch reader Ann mcnamercnaralegal has been to Alinea — and said that a crying baby would have ruined the experience. 

"I have been to Alinea twice to the tune of $700," she wrote. "It's an experience and if a crying baby was there, I would have left. Money doesn't buy class, does it? How selfish and ignorant. It's no different than bringing a rabid dog to a BBQ."

Grumpy Old Man commented that parents have an obligation to control their kids — whether they're at a fancy restaurant or any other public place. 

"Parents have an obligation to control their little children and be considerate of others," he wrote. "Take the screaming little one outside, or into the rest room until s/he's quiet. But that applies everywhere in a public place."

What do you think? Should babies be allowed in fancy restaurants? Let us know in the comments below!