BYO Bib

It's dinnertime at Birches Restaurant (641 S. Montford Avenue, 410-732-3000) and a pack of babies has taken over the dining room. There's crying, and gurgling, and even the occasional dirty diaper—but that's okay, because it's Baby Night. Every second Wednesday of the month, parents and their charges take over the top floor of the Canton restaurant. There's a playpen to keep the walkers and crawlers safely confined, and beer to keep the parents safely sedated. There are waitresses and real menus (featuring the restaurant's New American cuisine), but no one gets worked up by a fussy baby. Executive chef and owner Brian Bruso, who began this sippy-cup gathering three years ago, says response has been positive. No wonder—at Baby Night, parents often play "musical baby," passing tots along so that everyone has a chance to eat without a kid in his or her lap. "It's the only place where moms can relax and enjoy their meals," says Isla Miller, mom to 10-month-old Bailor. "You're welcome to get up and walk around with the baby—everyone understands."