Another example of why i wish some places were child free

There is a small, local restaurant in our area that has great food and an amazing owner that is passionate about the dishes they prepare. It's not cheap and they only have about 7 tables. We eat there pretty regularly, about once a month.
So last time we went there it was packed as usual, it was a Saturday night. There was a able of 10 including 4 little kids next to us and a table with 4 adults, 2 little kids and an infant in a carrier on the other side of us. there was also another big table, so it was pretty loud in there.
The kids at the first table played quietly with each other, one of the adults interacted with them at all times and kept them in check.
The other table knew that their kids don't eat much and the parents wanted to eat and chat with the other adults at their table so they set up a DVD player on the table with a goofy and Donald duck movie on that was not facing the adults (who completely ignored the kids the entire meal) and the volume was blasting so the kids could hear their movie over all of the other noise in the restaurant.
It actually ruined our meal, there were no other tables available to be moved to, so we didn't finish our meals and we left without ordering desert.
The owner was beyond apologetic, but he was appalled that they did that. He caught us on the way out and sent us home with complimentary desert and said he was doing the same for another table of two that was pizzed as well.
I mean honestly, must I be subjected to constant annoyance by other people's children? I get it if I'm in a diner or a fast food place, but these people clearly should have gotten a sitter and made an adult night out of it. And it only made it that much more obvious that FOUR kids were able to quietly behave with proper supervision at the other table.
I love kids, I have two, I adore my nieces and my godson but daaaamn, I really cannot stand some parents!

Re: Another example of why i wish some places were child free

That is so obnoxious and exactly why there are these things called headphones. I think the owner was well within his rights to ask them to turn it down.

Re: Another example of why i wish some places were child free

I agree with the above poster, I'm a little surprised the owner didn't say anything.

And I'm sorry, but setting up a portable DVD player on the table in ANY restaurant is just RIDICULOUS.

Be a parent. Watch your kid and TEACH them how to behave when you're out.

My siblings go out with their kids ALL THE TIME, they've NEVER done anything like that. EVER. The most their kids have ever brought out with them is a PSP or an iPod and that's it, and everyone is expected to behave and does. Certainly no other diners are disturbed.

I can't believe what some people think is acceptable.

Re: Another example of why i wish some places were child free

Re: Another example of why i wish some places were child free

I can't believe the owner didn't say anything.
I was at a Mexican restaurant once, and yes, it is casual,and going to attract families, but 4 adults sat at a separate table from the the 4 kids! they were at a booth behind the parents & it was such a disaster. The kids kept getting up & running into the waiters with the little guacamole carts.

Re: Another example of why i wish some places were child free

Wow that is unreal

Re: Another example of why i wish some places were child free

Say word

I'm surprised you or someone else didn't complain to the owner while this was happening.

Come to think of it shame on him for not stepping up to the plate and telling him this is not kool at his place.

I just don't understand some parents

Re: Another example of why i wish some places were child free

I don't think letting your kid watch a video while you dine is the problem. It's putting it at a volume that disturbs other diners that's the problem. We let my son watch the ipad while we are out and we get comments about how well behaved he was. Many older couples actually think it's genius and comment about how it would have been great if they had Ipads back in the day! But that's because we are respectful of our fellow diners and make sure that they aren't even aware there is a dvd playing. We also would just never bring a toddler to a nice restaurant during prime hours - it's usually not pleasant for the parents, other diners, or the waitstaff.