I've checked with the parental units on this, and gotten two pieces of information. First, there is such a thing as too young to be taken to a place of public accommodation, and both me and my brother were never taken "out" until we were old enough to behave. Second, we were taught there is a way to behave in public, and if you can't, you won't be in public. Parents don't even handle the "too young" right anymore. I see them feeding them at the table in the restaurants or not at all. According to my mother, the trick was to feed the baby before even leaving so if you had to bring them, they'd be out cold in food coma :D and have a bagel to shove into their mouth if they're teething.