The kindergarten-style rows of tables/chairs in the eating are normal height.

I think he means those dinky low tables between the easy chairs. Agreed, they are not ideal for eating at, unless you kneel on the floor. And then you look rather odd. But they were probably not designed for eating at. Fine for sticking Hello magaine on, a laptop on, or putting your feet on (oops, only kidding), but not for eating at.