/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
City News

Dear Urban Diplomat: Can I confront parents who bring a wailing newborn to an upscale restaurant?

By Urban Diplomat
Copy link
Urban Diplomat: For Crying Out Loud
(Image: Chalky Lives)

Dear Urban Diplomat, My husband and I went to Toca at the Ritz-Carlton for our anniversary dinner. Around 9 p.m., a newborn-toting couple settled into the corner booth, and seconds later, the wailing began. We were irked, especially when the couple tried for 10 minutes to soothe in situ rather than in the lobby. Would we have been so wrong to say something? —For Crying Out Loud, Cliffside

I, too, am of the opinion that people who bring babies to fancy restaurants should be run out of town on a rail. If there’s a sommelier, a pianist or a temperature-controlled cheese cave, it’s best to leave Junior at home. However, Toca is a hotel restaurant and must accommodate all manner of guests—they even have kid-appropriate plastic sippy cups on hand. While you would have been overstepping to say something to the parents, you certainly could have asked the staff to usher Mom or Dad and the little bundle of brimstone to a more private space nearby, so that you and your fellow diners could eat in peace.

Send your questions to the Urban Diplomat at urbandiplomat@torontolife.com

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for This City, our free newsletter about everything that matters right now in Toronto politics, sports, business, culture, society and more.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Big Stories

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber
Deep Dives

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features our annual ranking of the best new restaurants. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.