Andy and I have four children between us ranging from 4 to 12 and have found it very difficult (if not impossible) to entertain and feed all of them at the same time. We have always enjoyed eating out (particularly as someone else clears and washes up!!) However we have found it hard to find venues to take our children that serve food you want to eat without feeling self-conscious about them making noise, disturbing other diners and the meal costing an absolute fortune.

We have found that places don't overly cater for children particularly toddlers. The last thing I want to give them is the pub cordial that stains everything when it enviably is spilt down (a white) top because it is served in a glass with a straw! Or when they are babies going somewhere whose idea of warming a bottle is to give you a bowl of hot (boiling) water. First of all it doesn't warm the bottle and second of all we all then play chase the bowl as my two year old used to find it funny to try and put his hands into the said bowl!

I have also found it lonely bringing up children. We want to create a place where people can meet, where their children are very welcome and that you can have an adult conversation (during the day!) without worrying what the kids are up to.

In the spotlight