Top 3 Ways to Spot A Not Kid-Friendly Restaurant

3. They pointedly inform you they do not have a kids' menu when you call to make the reservation.
2. They pointedly inform you they do not have high chairs or booster seats when you call to make the reservation.
And the number one way to spot a Not Kid Friendy restaurant is.... (this is where the drumroll goes)
1. When you call for a six o'clock reservation and mention the presence of a two year old, they ask you if you can come at 5 o'clock instead.

Do you think we took the multiple hints when going out to dinner with my parents in Chatham last night? Well, let's just say I spent a painful hour and a half trying to keep Charlie's bottom on the seat and feet off the table in said boosterless-and-high chair-less restaurant, trying to keep his little hands out of the hurricane lamp on the table ("Oooh -- hot!"), trying to keep any number of assorted wine glasses, bottles of olive oil, and copious amounts of silverware out of little hands, not to mention trying to cut into my prosciutto and gorgozola wrapped grilled artichoke hearts without elbowing Charlie in the head as he sat next to me in our "cozy" booth.

Next time I vote for TGI Fridays, please!