I was going through our photos last night and have one of me holding a happy 6-month DD on my lap at Jaleo.

Pick any place that has a bar and happy hour crowd. The noise from that will drown out any noise from the baby, and you can always take baby outside for a breather if necessary. If you go to a restaurant at 5:30pm, you'll find most diners are parents with children so they'll be understanding.

Restaurants like it too, I think. It means they can get an extra seating in before the usually 7pm rush of diners.

Ooh, yeah. If your BIL is willing to do a cheaper but interesting ethnic place, check out Baan Thai on 14th St. You'll have to haul the stroller up stairs, though.

We take our baby to Brookland's Finest often. Good food, lots of kids (esp early dinner like 5 or 6). Busboys is also a good one.

sometimes the foodies will go for the cheaper, ethnic fare that gets good reviews, and we have taken the babies to a few such places. like one of the places at eden center, or that Szechuan place in Rockville, or taqueria distrito federale in DC. Mostly, we have done that with toddler-sized or older; but all of those place were great with her. I imagine an easy-going baby at an early hour would be welcome. Of those, the Szechuan place, whose name I forget, is actually a pretty nice restaurant. The others, not so much, but tasty and get great foodie reviews.

Ted's Bulletin is actually quite child-friendly, and the food is excellent. And any Jose Andres restaurant is a good choice.

We also just ate at the Riggsby, which is located in a hotel, and might be great if you ate on the early side. Other hotel restaurants might be a good call--any of the Kimptons are good.

The Tabard Inn is also quite kid-friendly, in part because it does get noisy and no one notices the kid. The staff are also great.

+1 with Le Dip
Also:
Red Hen
Republic
Big Bear Cafe

Op here, thanks!! I guess the third part I'm trying to balance is my own nervousness. But thinking about it, larger/louder/busier places will probably be perfect.

I really appreciate the comments, and am still open to reading about your experiences! Baby isn't yet big enough to sit in a high chair all on her own.

Central or Le Diplomate should be able to accommodate you early - call ahead, explain your situation, and see if they'll have room for a stroller. I think you'll find that the space taken up by a stroller in a downtown dining room is more of an issue than having an infant there. I've seen 2-4 year olds eating at both of those restaurants.

Jaleo or Zaytinya are also good suggestions.

Be prepared for a slew of posts that you are a bad parent for daring to take your offspring (i.e. a fellow human being) into a public space where he might actively shit while others are eating.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe try a Jose Andreas restaurant. Jaleo or Oyamel come to mind. They should be crowded and noisy enough that your babe will be lost in the din, but they have great offerings.

At 5:30, you can really eat anywhere. Even Le Diplomate or Central. I'd guess you will not be the only one with a kid at that time.

I know the food snob might not like it, but maybe Ted's Bulletin would work too.

I don't think most of those places have high chairs aka don't want children.

I think most chain restaurants are very child friendly, so maybe go to a nicer chain like Macaroni Grill?

You clearly have never eaten at Le Diplomate during the day. There are always children there. It's in a child heavy neighborhood....

Ruths Chris, around 7 or 8 pm

La Dip is actually incredibly baby friendly and they have adorable high chairs! Our 11 month old loves it!

Anonymous wrote:Maybe try a Jose Andreas restaurant. Jaleo or Oyamel come to mind. They should be crowded and noisy enough that your babe will be lost in the din, but they have great offerings.

At 5:30, you can really eat anywhere. Even Le Diplomate or Central. I'd guess you will not be the only one with a kid at that time.

I know the food snob might not like it, but maybe Ted's Bulletin would work too.

I don't think most of those places have high chairs aka don't want children.

I think most chain restaurants are very child friendly, so maybe go to a nicer chain like Macaroni Grill?

Maybe try a Jose Andreas restaurant. Jaleo or Oyamel come to mind. They should be crowded and noisy enough that your babe will be lost in the din, but they have great offerings.

At 5:30, you can really eat anywhere. Even Le Diplomate or Central. I'd guess you will not be the only one with a kid at that time.

I know the food snob might not like it, but maybe Ted's Bulletin would work too.

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone had suggestions for a restaurant that's a little on the nicer end, that would still be ok to bring our 6 month old Dd.
I'm trying to find a compromise for an evening that works for us (eating at 5:30, comfortable bringing a baby) and with bil, who is a bit of a food snob, doesn't have kids, and doesn't understand the unique challenges of dining out with a baby. There will be 5 adults and 1 infant.

We do go out to eat often with Dd, and she's usually quite content to drink a bottle and stay in her car seat with a few toys. But I can't imagine wheeling a stroller into Central or Le Diplomate, some suggestions that were mentioned for the dinner.

Tia!