Why not?

So there it was, a Saturday night in Chicago and the hubby and I wanted to go to dinner with some friends. Being the good little Italian wife and mama that I am, most of the time (meaning at least 5 nights a week), I cook- and I cook good- but once a week, I like to go out and enjoy a nice meal that I didn't have to make myself.
So there it was, a Saturday night in Chicago and the hubby and I wanted to go to dinner with some friends.  Most parents would catch the early bird special at a TGI Fridays, but no, we take our 3 1/2 month old baby to a nice Italian restaurant in downtown Chicago. What can I say, I guess we are lucky- he sits quietly and doesn't cry, so why not go out and enjoy ourselves right?

Believe it or not- you can have a life when you have a baby- even if you have to bring them along. My husband and I literally have taken our son to some really nice places and, although we may look a little odd with a Dr. Brown bottle on the table, manage to enjoy ourselves! At first I was a little skeptical because I didn't want to be " that couple" with a baby, but then I said, screw it, why should I be ordering pizza at home when I wouldn't mind a martini and a nice pasta dish?

So, if you are in Chicago and looking for some nice " kid friendly" places to eat that don't have cheap plastic crayons and coloring sheets, I recommend a few that have been really great for us :

Trattoria Isabella : http://www.trattoriaisabellachicago.com/
My Way: http://www.mywayristorante.com/
Panco Pistolas : http://www.panchopistolas.com/



I'm laughing a little bit as I write this because a few years ago, I was totally one of those people that thought children should be banned from restaurants after 6pm- but I guess the story changes when you are the one lugging around your own little meatball!