I wouldn't say that the food at any of the high end restaurants I've been to is exactly "healthy."

As a mom of two preschoolers, I agree with those who say kids and upscale restaurants don't mix. If for whatever reason you can't leave your child with a babysitter, then adjust your plans accordingly. You can always choose to go to a different restaurant.

I don't agree with this, though:

That's a bit over-the-top. There are few realistic alternatives to flying. If you and your 8 month old live in NY and Grandma lives in CA, your opportunities to visit Grandma are severely limited if you can't bring your child on an airplane.

But, back OT, I think it's a double-edge sword for the restaurants. They're catering to families because the demand is there. At the same time, they're alienating the rest of their clientele. No win situation, really.

There's been an uptick in restaurants that serve organic, sustainable food that has lower sodium/more healthful options than your usual butter-soaked fare. They're absolutely fantastic, in my estimation.

If we could afford a $100+ meal out more than once or twice a month, I'd definitely go more often. But, you're more likely to find them in larger urban areas, I've noticed.

I still wouldn't take a kid there below the age of 10 or 11.

In fact, I probably wouldn't take teenagers there, either, but that's because I generally hold teenagers (aged 11 to 19.99) in contempt.

Yeah, but those are not the same restaurants we're talking about with this article. L'Atelier, Daniel, Per Se, etc are French restaurants specializing in rich foods with lovely sauces and fattening meats. The healthy options are minimal. Not to mention, the usual 13 course meal has enough food to make you wish there was a vomitorium close by so you could make room for more!

One more edit...There's a restaurant like the ones you're mentioning in Baltimore called Woodbury Kitchen that is to die for. I got mentioned as one of the top 10 restaurants in the DC/Baltimore area about a year ago, now you can barely get a table!

I used to support one of those here in DC. It closed. :(

It's more than a bit over the top.

Besides, I can't imagine how anyone truly enjoys flying these days. I enjoy being other places and flying is the means to get there, but there's nothing enjoyable about flying.

Agreed. And there's a huge difference between a crying baby and a 5 year old kicking the crap out of the back of your seat.

A crying baby generally can't be attributed to bad parenting, lack of control/discipline, etc. Sometimes babies just cry (or sound like they're crying - my 11 week old's version of "talking" right now sounds exactly like the beginning sounds of her crying). You can't do much to shut up a baby sometimes.

I'd categorize the restaurants I'm thinking of on the same level as L'Atelier, Daniel, Per Se, etc., they may not serve French food specifically, but they're certainly "haute cuisine."

Isn't Founding Farmers sort of in that vein? There's also Rock Creek out in Bethesda (which may as well be Guam, I know I know).

I've noticed that a lot of restaurants near me (not upscale, just regular) allow families with small children to sit in the bar area which drives me bonkers. It's not a fancy restaurant and I don't have a problem with kids being there, but if I'm sitting at a table in the bar area I don't want a bunch of maniacs running around.

What restaurants? I wouldn't mind trying them.

I was actually talking about the Rock Creek in Mazza Gallerie!

While my step children are now 12, 13, and 18 and I dont have any of my own (though I greatly desire them), I agree. There is an upscale place here (though certainly not on par with NYC upscale places) that my husband and I enjoy for a quiet, intimate, tasty meal without screaming children. Actually we dont take the step kids to this place either in an attempt to eliminate: the complaining that they dont understand the menu, dont like what is offered on the menu, blowing straw papers at each other, or fear of the youngest son doing something highly inappropriate such as farting.

I think they're still open for events. You'll have to think of a reason to have a big ol' party!

Lately we've been super in love with Rick Bayless, who does sustainable organic Mexican food and hosts a cooking show in addition to owning and operating several restaurants in Chicago. They range in "fancy" from fairly casual (although I was shocked to see people there in jeans, but we also went to a show last Friday and people were wearing jeans there, too) Frontera Grill to slightly fancy Topolobampo, to the Library Room at Topolobampo which features five course meals complete with wine tasting.

All in Chicago, all connected. I know of other "haute" organic places elsewhere but I hestiate to make recommendations as I really only know first or second-hand accounts of places in Chicago.