Say What? Eating Out

I recently made dinner reservations on a busy Friday night at Il Fornaio Restaurant in downtown San Jose and mentioned that one guest, my granddaughter, was in a wheelchair.
We arrived at the end of a long line of customers waiting to be seated. It was crowded; yet, when we announced ourselves we were promptly taken to our table in the main dining room (away from the kitchen). The table was ready with one chair removed. Adequate space was provided to manipulate the chair in and out of the area as well as room for me to assist Aimee with her coat. No easy task when space is limited.

The server spoke directly to Aimee and listened carefully when taking her order which included chopped, not sliced, pepperoni on her pizza. When the pizza arrived, just as ordered, she was delighted when he remembered her name. Aimee was able to enjoy and eat her meal without difficulty which, in turn, made it enjoyable for the rest of us as well.
Why is this important? Imagine being placed far from other diners in a dark corner of the restaurant, near a noisy kitchen or, worse, the restrooms. Imagine constantly being asked what the individual wants instead of speaking directly to them. Imagine a child so stressed because of banging dishes that she cannot eat. Imagine being bumped continually by servers, or guests, while struggling to drink from a cup. No, this is not just my imagination, but the reality of what happens all too often when dining out. Although Il Fornaio is not the only restaurant providing considerate service, it is a rare occasion when the entire dining experience is as enjoyable and without incident.

At one upscale restaurant in Fresno we were actually denied eating in the dining room or patio but instead were escorted down a long hall to an empty banquet room where we were told “we would be comfortable”. Needless to say we did not eat there.

FOUR STARS to Il Flornaio Restaurant for their considerate service to the disabled. Their example of dignity and respect towards all customers sets the standard of service for all restaurants to follow.

What experiences have you encountered when eating out with a disabled child or adult?