It surprises me that people see this as a Canoe issue. The solution is simple. If you don't like their policy, go to another establishment. Problem solved!
This is a private business, not a public meeting area. They can make the rules. I've never been there but apparently they are doing something right as many seem to like going there.
I'm not against kids. In fact, I have several. I'm thankful that, as far as I know, they've never been a problem when we've taken them out to eat (no complaints, no dirty looks....yet)
But when my wife and I go out to a nice dinner, it is usually to get a break from the routine, including kids, and a nice, quiet, dinner is exactly what we crave. The last thing I want to have to deal with is a batch of loud, whiny kids at the next table. Well-behaved, polite ones are not a problem. But the problem is that definition seems to be different for different parents.