Restaurant bans kids under 18, saying parents need a 'break'

[Raine1967]

16. This is my neighborhood; I know the owner.

and this is a good move.

Del Ray is a wonderful neighborhood, but the stroller brigade is taking over.

We are actually going there tonite!

Most of this brewhaha started after our local patch published that 'Mango Mike' is opening up an adults only sushi/saki bar. The comments ended making national news... and I admit I was a part of the conversation. Check out a few (or get lost in the comments)

We have neighbors with children and they welcome a place where they can go, leave thier kids home with a sitter and enjoy a romantic evening without children.

Here are some snippets from the comments:

You think it's "asinine" to object to excluding entire groups of people based on conditions of birth? Wow. I bet you're a big fan of apartheid.

I won't be eating there and I'm not going to frequent Pork Barrel or Holy Cow any longer. It's ironic how happy they were to take my money for kids meals at Pork Barrel but now my money isn't good enough for fish.

and responses to this particular post:

WOW! Not only do we have a winner, but HUGE bonus points for completely trivializing apartheid!!! Do you think that comparison might be just a little bit over the top??? Are people who still take their kids to Holy Cow "sellouts" - like black artists who performed at Sun City? Are the "well behaved teens" that another commenter suggested might be admitted to the Sushi place like Asians and Mulattoes, who had greater rights than blacks (but fewer than whites) under the "other" apartheid? Is Los Tios a "shantytown"? What do you make of black South Africans who lived through the "other" apartheid --- only to repeat history by opening age-restricted restaurants in South Africa??? (possibly a form of Stockholm Sundrome?)

In any event, you are very brave to speak out against this injustice, knowing full well that Mango Mike will likely send his secret police to haul you off to his prison on Duke Street. You'll be offered release after a few years if you renounce your views, but I pray you stay strong. These are dangerous days, but maybe one day Del Ray will be united by a Rugby team comprised of both under-21 and over-21 players.

Yes, having an adults-only establishment is EXACTLY like apartheid. They're practically the same thing, what with the arrests and secret prisons and beatings and stealing of land.

I also have to wonder how often you actually went to Pork Barrel or Holy Cow. We went every Sunday during football season, And your money IS good enough for fish, so long as you leave the kids at home. Some of us are willing to pay for that privilege. Our money will make up for yours.

I think "family-friendly" Del Ray could use a little offending. Perhaps it would remind the breeders that there are plenty of non-breeders here as well, and we spend our money and don't leave messes like the kids do, and don't run around hollering. We have rights to - the right to not have to have our meals and conversations interrupted by momma's little darlin's.

but this was my favorite:

If they operate the sushi bar like they operate the other two places, I am sure you can sit in Pork Barrel and order sushi. As an adult that's had more than my share of good meals interrupted by "well-behaved" kids yelling or playing their video games, I am happy that there is one (count 'em - 1) place in Del Ray where I can eat in peace.

The world doesn't revolve around you breeders and your spawn. I know they are the most precious things in your lives, but you'll have to understand that not everyone enjoys your level of enthusiasm for your little Einsteins, and having ONE place in the area where the rest of us can eat around fellow adults is not too much to ask.

later on they compared the sushi restaurant to JIM CROWE era. I shit you not.

I wrote:

I've been waiting for this to open, it sounds like it will be a nice intimate place for date nights! I like it!

For those that seem insulted about not being able to bring their children into the actual restaurant, I wouldn't be surprised if they have the system set in place where you can actually have a holy cow burger -- WHILE in Pork Barrel. There is nothing wrong with having a place that is a kid free place.

Yes Del Ray is a family friendly area, but some people might want to go to a place every now and then without children. It really shouldn't be so controversial. Del Ray Pizza is supposed to have a party room for kids birthdays etc, Los Tios is very family friendly as well, as are pretty much every place on the Avenue.

Like I said, it will be nice to have a date night place here in Del Ray. Each one of Mango's restaurants serves a slightly different clientele, and I like that.

And Mike responded:


RK,
Your are correct.

Intimate and the perfect place for some post sushi, sake spawning.