Paris: Children at Taillevent, or not?
Dec 14th, 2005, 11:21 PM
#21
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I will refrain from social commentary or judgement.
It is not appropriate to bring them to Taillevent. Period. It is not fair to the restaurant or to the other diners.
If you really want to take them to a Michelin starred restaurant, I would recommend Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower for lunch. The restaurant is excellent (yes, touristy; but last time I ate at Taillevent, it was 90% American,btw); lunch will be less formal, and more enjoyable for all; and there will probably be a few other families there as well.
(FWIW, I think Taillevent is over-rated).
It is not appropriate to bring them to Taillevent. Period. It is not fair to the restaurant or to the other diners.
If you really want to take them to a Michelin starred restaurant, I would recommend Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower for lunch. The restaurant is excellent (yes, touristy; but last time I ate at Taillevent, it was 90% American,btw); lunch will be less formal, and more enjoyable for all; and there will probably be a few other families there as well.
(FWIW, I think Taillevent is over-rated).
Dec 15th, 2005, 03:15 AM
#22
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We took our son to Taillevent just over a year ago. He was ten at the time. He was warmly welcomed by everyone there. He tried everything he ordered and loved most of it. He still talks about the whole evening."Mom, rember the time we went to Taillevent and the waiter told me it was OK to pick up the frog's legs with my fingers? And then he brought me warm water to wash my fingers in? That was so cool." As long as your children are very well behaved, I think there is no problem in bringing them. Obviously it is an experience you would like to share with them and something you can afford to do.
Do be prepared for the cost, it was close to $900.00 for the three of us. Our son ordered the mosr expensive entree! It was an evening we will always treasure and I am very glad we shared it with our son.
Do be prepared for the cost, it was close to $900.00 for the three of us. Our son ordered the mosr expensive entree! It was an evening we will always treasure and I am very glad we shared it with our son.
Dec 15th, 2005, 03:34 AM
#25
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Two things that mystify me in this thread: (1) how would it ever come about that a five-year-old would be "clamoring" to go to Taillevent, and (2) why would it be "unfair" to other diners if two presumably quiet, clean, well-behaved children were present at another table?
Dec 15th, 2005, 03:42 AM
#26
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I am Ralstonlan's son. I think that your 2 kids would be fine at the restaraunt. They will remember it as a wonderful experience, and not a strange evening where everyone stares and whispers about them. If your kids can sit through a seven course meal and behave properly than peolpe might start talking about how great your children are. I hope your children can sit through a three hour meal because if you stay for all seven courses, than you will be very tired when you leave. I hope your kids can stay up late without complaining amd show amazing behavior. Then your kids will be just fine.
Dec 15th, 2005, 04:47 AM
#28
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First, no-one on this board is remotely capable of giving you any useful advice about the question you ask.
For those who've forgotten, the question was "do I want a leisurely dinner with just my husband more than I don't want my kids to miss out on a gustatory experience?"
Only you can know the answer to that, and it's puzzling why you're asking strangers.
We seem, however, to have lots of people happy to answer a quite different, etiquette-related, question. Mostly inanely.
The answer to the unasked etiquette question, though, is simple. If you're 100% confident your children will not upset other diners (and no child I've ever seen in a Michelin 3* ever has, or behaved in a way that could possibly upset anyone) then it's entirely up to you. Indeed if you can afford it, you really, really should take them. The best way to develop a critical palate is to practise it early.
If you're not 100% confident (though why should your children behave any differently from the way most Continental children behave all the time?), then leave them behind.
For those who've forgotten, the question was "do I want a leisurely dinner with just my husband more than I don't want my kids to miss out on a gustatory experience?"
Only you can know the answer to that, and it's puzzling why you're asking strangers.
We seem, however, to have lots of people happy to answer a quite different, etiquette-related, question. Mostly inanely.
The answer to the unasked etiquette question, though, is simple. If you're 100% confident your children will not upset other diners (and no child I've ever seen in a Michelin 3* ever has, or behaved in a way that could possibly upset anyone) then it's entirely up to you. Indeed if you can afford it, you really, really should take them. The best way to develop a critical palate is to practise it early.
If you're not 100% confident (though why should your children behave any differently from the way most Continental children behave all the time?), then leave them behind.
Dec 15th, 2005, 09:36 AM
#30
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The children are clamoring? Not an issue imo, they'll get over it.
Children would be out of place? Yes, in the sense that there will be no other children there, but are you truly worried about that?
Wanting a leisurely and romantic dinner with your husband? If so, then the kids stay in the hotel room in front of the tv or a video, with a sitter. They'll be fine for 3 hours.
Not wanting your kids to miss out on a gustatory experience? There will be others of those, it sounds like they've already had a number of those since they are clamoring.
The children are clamoring?
Now we're back at the beginning.
Children would be out of place? Yes, in the sense that there will be no other children there, but are you truly worried about that?
Wanting a leisurely and romantic dinner with your husband? If so, then the kids stay in the hotel room in front of the tv or a video, with a sitter. They'll be fine for 3 hours.
Not wanting your kids to miss out on a gustatory experience? There will be others of those, it sounds like they've already had a number of those since they are clamoring.
The children are clamoring?
Now we're back at the beginning.
Dec 15th, 2005, 10:05 AM
#31
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Well, they are not really, really young children so they should be able to handle it. However, I would ask for a table towards the back or the sides, should the kids get a little noisy or whatever. I have a 5 year old and eat at nice restaurants throughout Europe. However, I do try to sit kind of out of the way, in case there is an issue of any kind. If you want to make it a romantic dinner, then definitely as the hotel re: a babysitter. However, if you all want to go eat - why not? Have fun!
Dec 15th, 2005, 04:45 PM
#38
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Believe me, I am here, eagerly reading your responses as they come in. You have raised some excellent points and I am taking them all into consideration. However, I must say that there are two posts in particular that I have found so persuasive that I have almost made up my mind. This type of input (even if it must come with harsh commentary from some, which I expected) is exactly what I wanted. Thank you very much indeed for your well-reasoned arguments. Thank you, also, for the humor.
If there's a wish for it, I'll even post what my husband and I decide to do -- and then leave town right away to dodge the gunfire!
If there's a wish for it, I'll even post what my husband and I decide to do -- and then leave town right away to dodge the gunfire!
Dec 15th, 2005, 04:54 PM
#40
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Also, many of you who have posted well-written, well-intentioned posts to help me have asked for answers to questions you have about how my 5yo came to know of Taillevent, whether my children have eaten at this level of restaurant abroad, how ell-behaved the children really are, etc., etc. And As much as I wish I repay your kindness by answering, I, considering some of the invective that's been posted already, hesiate to fan the flames. I would prefer to let my original post speak for itself. Some posters have made some incorrect assumptions about me and my family, it, as much as I would like to refute the accusations, I think the rejoinders would be never-ending.
Thank you all, again.
Thank you all, again.
