Four Seasons Sydney: family fun = dressing for dinner

Sydney has a lot to offer. It can also take a lot out of you. Between running through Darling Harbour, having your heart race at the aquarium, then soar at the sight of the Opera House looming just outside your window, you would be excused for collapsing on the big comfortable bed at the end of the day—at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney—and waking only to the sound of the kids stirring in the morning.

And there are nights during our around the world trip where we do just that. Opting to order in and shut the world out. Other nights, we have magical moments—like the one we spent under a tent on the beach in Langkawi.

What we hadn’t done on the trip so far was what the kids were asking for now:
“Can we dress up for dinner tonight, mom?”

My boys, who are most oft seen in shorts and tank tops, were itching to don finer duds. I think it was the walk past the Four Seasons signature restaurant, Kable’s, that got them thinking. Whatever it was, it was clear they were serious.

And so, donning the best clothes a family traveling the world with only one bag each can find, we prepared for dinner.

Showers were had. Razors were found; fancy pants and collared shirts and V- neck sweaters that had yet to see the light of day unearthed. Gone were the rough and tumble, climb every tree, play in every mud slick boys I’d spent the day with. Now they were transformed into handsome little, candlelit men. We took them and made our way to dinner. And you know what happened? They rose to the occasion.

Don’t get me wrong: they’re very good kids, but often rows of cutlery, glassware and a fancy linen napkin can prove to be too big a temptation for little hands. Things get spilled and knocked over, and the potential for a well-dressed dining disaster looms large.

But Kable’s offered us an upscale dining experience with the fine cuisine to match—along with an appreciation for the fact that, sometimes, kids can’t handle it all. The waiter was incredible. We presented him with two very hungry kids, including a reformed picky eater, and he quickly offered up some options that might better suit their palates and presented each with a kids’ menu to choose from as well.

One opted in, one opted out; but everyone ate a meal that was delicious and satisfying.

And with the worry over the meal aside, we chatted happily about our days. That time together started what would become a nightly ritual of sharing the high and low points of our day. And on this first occasion, the Sydney Aquarium, the Sydney Opera House and our room overlooking the harbourfront were high on the list.

Best of all, I got to spend a fancy evening with my three favourite guys looking as spiffy as ever.

Read more about Sydney in Four Seasons Magazine.