NYC Kid-Friendly Dining
Where to bring your Kid (and ROBOT)
by Jennifer Cooper, posted on November 18th, 2010 in Cooking, Guest Posts
Planning a trip to New York City with the kids? Well then, you’ll want to meet our guest today! Meet Carla Sullivan. She knows all the best family friendly dining places to eat in the city and she’s sharing them with you.
Plus, she made sure all these restaurants were Robot friendly! She knows just how much Robot likes to travel and eat.
When venturing into the City with kids and their robots – it is important to have a pretty good idea of where you want to go and when.
Here are a few spots that Mini Munchers has discovered that my two little Munchers (15 months and 4 years), their robots and I agree are worth a visit in and of themselves!
1. Moomah – Moomah is a great spot to bring your tot in TriBeCa. Not only is the extensive menu local, seasonal AND organic (with dairy-free and gluten-free choices) but kids are encouraged to play while they eat with incredibly beautiful and engrossing art projects! What’s more, if you visit on a Saturday or Sunday, the back room, usually reserved for private classes, is transformed into a “funky forest” for children and Robots to explore and use their imaginations. Oh – they just got their liquor license so it can be a great way to unwind after a visit to Ground Zero or Nearby Century 21.
2. Smorgas Chef – Get ready to be pleasantly surprised at Smorgas Chef!
This cafe, located in the Scandinavian House in Murray Hill, is simply a wonderful find. Stroller-friendly, with highchairs, this upscale spot challenges children to try some unique Scandinavian dishes (i.e. Swedish Meatballs & Smoked Salmon), but don’t worry old faithfuls’ such as chicken fingers and a kid’s burger are on their $9 menu.
Each children’s meal comes with a drink and vanilla waffle for dessert & my kids were enthralled by the LIVE tree in the center of the restaurant. The restroom is large, with a changing table, but you do have to take an elevator to the basement to get there.
The BONUS of Smorgas Chef is that on Saturday’s the Scandinavian House opens their Children’s Learning Space to the public (for only $5 per child, ALL DAY!) My son was thrilled to bring his robot to explore the two room clean and interactive playspace, complete with storybook nooks, lego tables, a stage to put on impromptu performances, puppets, blocks, and MUCH MORE!
3. Blue Smoke – Tots and robots love digging into the RIBS at this Murray Hill “Urban Barbeque” joint – and the Wikki sticks and cool communal bathroom sink are fun kid features. A great addition – the server brings your child a cookie to decorate, which is baked during your meal – and presented in a “to go” bag with the check. Most weekends it is difficult to find a table without kids – must be the varied children’s menu that includes dessert (the cookie is a bonus!) and uber-friendly staff.
4. Ruby Foos Times Square – When headed to a show or to check out the scene in Times Square, do not get sucked into a touristy restaurant with sub-par food and over-the-top prices. Ruby Foos is a great restaurant to visit with children, yes they have grilled cheese and hot dogs but more adventurous eaters might want to try the spare ribs or the steamin’ shrimp dumplings (they even have a gluten-free menu!). Kids will also get a kick out of the free Oragami lessons every Sunday from 11:30-4pm, and my son’s roboto loved the “Dirt `n Worms” dessert, a chocolate pudding topped with Oreo cookies and gummy worms inside.
5. Café Blossom – Finally, a great organic and yes VEGAN restaurant close to the Museum of Natural History. Your minis and their robots will be full and happy after eating at this Upper West Side spot. Situated right next to Kidville (which BTW offers great kiddie haircuts) your tot can be “fooled” into eating 100% vegan “grilled cheese” or “soy sticks” – don’t forget the vegan chocolate for dessert…YUM!
To check out these restaurants children’s menus and to see reviews on these and many more NYC kid-friendly spots, check out www.MiniMunchers.com. Happy Munching!
After careers in broadcast journalism & public relations, mom-of-two and longtime foodie Carla Sullivan combined her love of city dining with her love for her kids and founded MiniMunchers—the first and only website where parents can search for and view children’s menus of restaurants across the city. She lives in downtown Manhattan with her family.
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Tags: Food, friends, Robot, travel issue
Laurie Fierro Says:
Jennifer Cooper Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 3:21 am
OOoh! Sam is right. Japanese food is the best!
[Reply]