This in today from a friend of a friend.

Hello fellow friends and parents,

I am writing to tell you about something that recently happened to me which was very disturbing and unpleasant. I recently dined out at Baltazar's Restaurant with some friends. We had a sitter for two of our kids (preschoolers), and brought Kobe because he was only a few months old and slept most of the time. Three different staff people there were very unpleasant to us because we brought the baby and treated us very rudely despite the fact that he slept the entire time and never made a peep. Baltazar himself made it a point to come over to our table to tell Tom and I (and I quote) that "they do not specialize in children" so we had to put him on the floor since there was no highchair to set his car seat into.

A few weeks ago, I was encouraged to write the restaurant a letter because of how rude they had been to us so I finally got around to it this week. After asking for approval from the MOMS Club of Bend board members to use letterhead, I wrote to Baltazar describing our experience and asked him to consider purchasing one highchair to accommodate parents with a small child who may dine at the restaurant.

Baltazar called me today and made it very clear that he does not want any children in his restaurant. In fact, his exact words were: "We are not going to buy even one highchair because we don't want them (kids) here." When I suggested to him that Bend was a family friendly community and that by treating patrons disrespectfully for accidentally bringing a child into the restaurant is actually not good for his business and he was shutting out a corner of the market, he asked me if I was threatening him, told me he would sue me and then concluded the conversation with a "GO TO HELL YOU FUCKING BITCH."

I was completely stunned and shocked by having been treated this way - but after being harassed in the restaurant for having a sleeping 8 week old with us, I guess I should not be surprised.

There are many other establishments in this community that would never treat their patrons in this manner - and I hope you will consider joining me in finding alternative dining options where people are treated with dignity and respect, whether or not their children are with them.

As I told Baltazar, I completely support restaurants approaching customers who have unruly children, or whose children are disrupting the dining experiences of the other patrons and politely asking them to get the situation under control or leave - but blatant rudeness such as his demonstrates poor business etiquette. If Baltazar's policy is anti-children in their restaurant, they should post a sign at the door
stating "No infants or children allowed." It would save an unknowing parent such as me the harassment of being indirectly told multiple times while dining there that my child was unwelcome.

Please share this message with others you know. As for Tom and I, we will never again dine there and hope you'll join us in demonstrating that behavior such as that will not be rewarded with our continued patronage.

Thanks,
Yvette and Tom

And here I thought Kanpai was bad... but I was honestly shocked when I read this. How dare a restaurant treat people like that! I've never actually eaten there (but I've heard rumors of their completely overpriced dishes), but I sure as hell won't go there now.

Community of Bend - let's pull together and not let this just slide by!
Boycott this place, and tell them why!

I'm going to make a point to go there now.

Simone, my hubby used to work for Mr. Chavez (Baltazar), and he has told me stories that would absolutely blow your mind about how he spoke about customers, women, kids, etc.

Because of my husband's experience as one of his employees, we have NEVER set foot in any of his ventures, including Balthazars.

If you would like to hear some of these stories, email your red-headed friend.

I have something to say to Baltazar, that my mother would tell people who used foul language. "la mierda sale de su boca, y usted come con la misma." I do not care what the circumstances are, no one should ever talk to people the way Baltazar did this woman. If this woman was driving you crazy via the phone, you should have just said: end of conversation and hang up! It clearly shows disrespect for her as a human being the way you talked to her! I would loath having a father who used such language. Shame on you. Some of your customers should pin you down and wash your mouth out with Drano, Baltazar! Now, on a positive note for your restaurant, I have to say, that my family and I have been treated well, then we did not bring any children with us, but I did bring my 85 year old father who was treated very kindly. The food was great and the wait was reasonable, but then I have only gone during the lunch hour. Now, I do believe that Baltazar has the right to have a restaurant that is geared toward adults. I am sorry to say, but I have been to many restaurants that are children friendly, and have had bad experiences with parents allowing their children to throw food, scream and run around. Mind you, I am not saying that every parent does this, but then those who teach their children to behave and have good manners are penalized for those who let children run a muck. I like the food at Baltazars. It is clearly and upscale Mexican restaurant. I eat my food in a calm and quiet atmosphere. There are plenty of children friendly restaurants, so why not have at least one adult friendly restaurant. I know even I, having been a parent, enjoyed times I could get away and eat in a nice upscale restaurant in peace and quiet. This is so little, to the times when I had the kids with me, which was most of the time. As for people saying bad things about others, let any of us who are without sin cast the first stone.

I have eaten at this establishment several times, and enjoyed the meal and the service. I will add though that if this man where to speak to my wife like this I would not hesitate to break his fucking nose!!

From what I've heard about the story the argument escalated when the customer used a racial slur towards Mr. Chavez. His reaction is completely understandable if that's true.

So the guy doesn't want little kids in his restaurant. Who cares? Your 3 year old doesn't need to eat $16 a plate mexican food AND they don't need to ruin the atmosphere when I'm eating my $16 a plate food either. Quit being such a yuppie.

I'm sorry they had a bad experience but he has a right to choose not to cater to children. Can't say I disagree with that. I like to enjoy my meal without screaming children nearby or their prying eyes staring at me while I have a conversation. Parents don't instill proper manners in their children anymore. Not like my parents. I don't think 15 or 20 people boycotting him will do much. If the food is good he will survive. He better watch his disrespect to people though! A husband is going to punch his lights out at some point!

He must be hung from the sign out front. This is what we do to people like him.

The guy is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. close to the lynching people want this man and his own children to be subjected to, and what ever happens to Baltazars livelyhood, will affect his entire family, I am sure reactions would even be worse, if he did place a sign...no minors allowed. Honestly, based on what I have been reading lately on othe blogs,how many of the parents who want to see this man's livelyhood destroyed,would not deep down in their hearts find it offensive if Baltazar did indeed place a sign at his establishment saying: No minors allowed. This is an adult friendly restaurant. I am sure that plenty of you would find this offensive and complain anyway. Profanity wise, I already said the guy needs to clean up his act. Perhaps he should take a class in anger management and proper etiquette, but he should not be lynched to the point where he loses his livelihood, which supports his family. Frankly, I think anyone who uses profanity toward other's, or at all, need to clean up their act. I wonder how many of us have not, at one time or another used disparaging words against other human beings at some point in our own lives. If any of you say you haven't, that's fine, then by all means you have the right to cast the first stone! I have at one point or another experienced rude treatment at other restaurants in Bend, I repeat, THIS IS MY OWN EXPERIENCE. I am glad that other's of you have experienced flawless treatment, good fresh food, timely service and what not in every other restaurant or business in Bend. I find it interesting, that this man is being called on the carpet for his behavior, while other restaurants/businesses with offensive arrogant staff behavior, are not being called on the carpet for this. Perhaps it would be good if the Bulletin took a vote from the public for all restaurants where people have experienced some of the treatment that Baltazar's has displayed. I am sure there are people out there who will tell accounts of poor service in other extablishments in Bend.

Okay people- those of you condoning B’s rude and obnoxious behavior have all had your say and many have drifted completely OFF TOPIC. I am the “gal” that emailed about 20 friends with news of the incident- which then was send to many, many, many more. My intention was to inform my PARENT friends so they could avoid the same type of mistreatment- not put him out of business. He will eventually do that ON HIS OWN because of the DOZENS of people who have contacted the newspapers with the SAME STORIES (no children, same issue!) The Bulletin contacted me- not the other way around.

Straight from the horse’s mouth-
Mom (ME!) leaves CHILDREN AT HOME WITH BABYSITTER TO ENJOY QUIET EVENING OUT WITH TWO OTHER COUPLES. She brings the newborn baby. The group is SEATED BY THE STAFF/OWNER and then treated rudely by two employees and owner. The bratty, loud, obnoxious, unruly, food throwing, out of control 4 week old sleeps the entire time. Other guests are horrified and convince her to write a letter- she does and then is telephoned by owner who is outraged by the suggestion to buy ONE HIGHCHAIR just in case parent goes in to restaurant not knowing UNSTATED POLICY. Owner loses temper and says, "GO TO HELL, YOU F__ING BTCH" and hangs up. Period. End of story- sorry no racial slurs or horrific comment on my part to help ease your mind and give you an excuse to justify his response.

Any person who CONDONES his rude and inappropriate behavior should consider the next taping of the Jerry Springer show. I have every right to bring my baby into whatever restaurant I choose as long as my child is not disrupting the dining experience of any other patron. That is why I chose to leave my other 2 children AT HOME WITH THE SITTER. If my children are unruly in any way in any setting, we leave IMMEDIATELY. I am ultra sensitive to the people around me and do not appreciate being generalized with other irresponsible parents who have no manners for the people that their children are disrupting. I feel the same frustration with parents who have forgotten what the word “discipline” means and completely agree that too many kids now run the show. In my case, however, that is not an issue and I won’t accept any excuses for the way B. treated me.

Furthermore, any person who is so uptight and has AN ISSUE with a sleeping newborn at the next table has some SERIOUS PROBLEMS. Parents have just as much a right to a pleasant evening as the next patron and shouldn't be discriminated against for having a sleeping baby with them. Give me a break!

THE ISSUE is not children or infants in restaurants- heck, many of us parents would LOVE TO GO to an ADULT ONLY dinner spot just to have some peace and quiet for a night. No one likes to dine next to loud, poorly behaved children. I don't like to be around them ANYWHERE for that matter. But seating patrons WITH THEIR SLEEPING NEWBORN, taking their order, and THEN TREATING THEM LIKE DIRT for having a child is ridiculous- we are not mind readers. I have no problem with an adult only restaurant. I have a problem with a DISRESPECTFUL and RUDE owner who has a TEMPER issue. If you have the audacity to call your establishment "fine dining", you better make sure your demeanor is "fine" as well!

Yvette, you are giving mixed messages here. Either he has a right to create an adult atmosphere, or he doesn't.

One is not being 'upright' to take issues with a newborn. It is impossible to predict when a sleeping infant will suddenly transform into a crying one. Since it would be unfair to kick a family out in the middle of the meal (and unfair to make the other patrons listen) a blanket policy against babies makes perfect sense.

If your issue is with his rudeness, that is fair. The way you are claiming he has 'serious problems' for not wanting babies in his restaurant makes me suspicious that we are not getting the whole story here.

I wish his restaurant was in Portland. I'd eat dinner there every night! Good on him for standing his ground.

Yvette - if you don't like how he treated you - DON"T GO THERE!!!

I have eatten twice at Baltazars letting Baltazar himself order the food for my party. Simply put, the best food I have ever tasted! Great food, awesome atmostphere, always a gentleman when I have visited the restaurant.
Sorry Yvette (Moms Club???), your internet sorry brought tears to my eyes, but it's not going to break Mr. Balatazars restaurant!!

Yvette, I wold like to thank you for posting this incident. I had reservations to go to this restaurant with my husband and my good friend and her husband and our two children that are almost three and I must say act in a way that would make some adults look foolish. I have just cancelled that reservation and I will spread the word around. As far as some of the other comments go Hello- you were all children at one point You were not born an adult. I would never sit and let my child disrupt anyone elses dinner and as such I would not like to hear some of the obnoxious conversations that I hear some adults have around my children in child-friendly areas. Do you see the point? Thank you again Yvette, we will be dining elsewhere that day.

All this comes down to - if you don't have kids, this won't bother you, but eventually you will have kids and then you will understand. With the kind of world we live in today, it is not that easy or safe just to leave your kids at home. It is just comforting to know they are with you. And yes, I do have 2 kids, but at the same time I hate it when kids are running around in restaurants, but I think in this case, the baby was sleeping!! I am really sorry to hear about your experience and next time go to a place that will cater for you and your children.

As an educator for over 20 years, I do believe many parents are not instilling manners with their children. Unfortunately, this generation is a "I want it now one and I am entitled to everything!" Find another resturant if you want to bring your child!

Are you kidding me?! No pun intended! It is rude to bring your children to any place that does not hand you crayons for them at the door. Leave your kids at home or take them to Chilies etc. where kids are clearly welcome. Adults pay a lot of money for sitters, a good bottle or wine and a nice dinner we do not want to listen to your baby cry any more than we want to smell your smoke.

Where is Balthazar's? I want to go there! Perhaps the newborn wasn't any trouble, but he was just as likely to cry and/or crap himself where others were trying to eat.