Adventure, baby!

Christine Knight

Christine is the editor of Adventure, Baby!

The Meatball Shop, 84 Stanton: Kid-friendly Restaurants, LES, NY

As a vegetarian, a good (non-meat) meatball is hard to find. Obviously. When I read that The Meatball Shop served vege meatballs as well as a wide range of vegetarian sides and options, I was there the next day. Or a few weeks later, when I got the chance – doesn’t sound as good though, does it?

Meatball Shop LES - Lower East Side
Only signage is on the top of the building.

The Lower East Side Meatball Shop is right near Alec’s office, so Cheese and I dropped by one Friday to take him to lunch. I walked right past it twice before realising it had no signage at ground level. Look up people, so you don’t look like the fool I did.

Meatball Shop LES - Lower East Side
Tick the boxes.

I adore any menu where I can pick and choose exactly what I want. I especially love when I can tick boxes so the server doesn’t get confused by my accent.

Meatball Shop LES - Lower East Side
Putting in the order.

We chose the naked balls (snigger) and two sides – mashed potato and steamed spinach.

Meatball Shop LES - Lower East Side
Street seating.

It’s worth noting here that we had an outdoor table as it was the best option with Cheese. The interior looked a bit small to squish in with a toddler and all of her gear. The helpful staff did store our stroller somewhere though – perhaps through some door that opened up into a magical portal of extra storage space.

Meatball Shop LES - Lower East Side
Vegetarian meatballs, side of mashed potatoes, steamed spinach and regular meatballs in the background.

The food arrived really quickly . It didn’t look like a huge amount, but afterwards I was so full I thought my stomach would explode.

Meatball Shop LES - Lower East Side
Cheese tucks into the mashed potatoes.

We gave Cheese some of the vegetarian meatballs and spinach, but all she was interested in was the mashed potato. What can I say, the girl loves carbs.

Last bite: The Meatball Shop is for carnivores and herbivores alike. Come hungry, pack light and be prepared to squeeze in and eat big.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Minimal.
Easy access: It’s a bit tight, but no stairs.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

The Meatball Shop, 84 Stanton
84 Stanton St
New York, NY
Phone: {212} 982 8895
Prices: $$
Hours: Sun-Thur 12pm-2am, Fri-Sat 12pm-4am

Brunch With My Baby Loves: Babiators + GIVEAWAY

Brunch With My Baby Loves ... Aviators! GIVEAWAY at brunchwithmybaby.com

In this new section on the site, the Brunch With My Baby editors will highlight items that makes their lives as parents just that little bit easier.

We’re kicking off our new BWMB Loves section with Babiators! I love these sunglasses for Cheese because they stay on her tiny face, she can’t destroy them, and Babiators have an amazing policy where they’ll replace the sunnies if they’re lost or broken.

Want your own pair of Babiators? Enter our giveaway to win your choice of Babiator sunglasses.

The competition opens 12am Wednesday, July 31st, 2013, and closes Tuesday 11:59pm, August 6, 2013.

Entry open to US addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brunch With My Baby was not compensated for this post.

Baked: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Red Hook, New York

Baked: kid-friendly cafes, Red Hook, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com

Baked is a Red Hook bakery created by entrepreneurs, Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito, with their dream to “Open a great American bakery that is not a cupcake shop”. Baked was born in January 2005 in the neighborly neighborhood of Red Hook, Brooklyn. It is now so well-known that people from all over Brooklyn and even Manhattan trek out to Red Hook (hey, there’s not much transport, it’s totally a trek!) just to try their treats.

Baked: kid-friendly cafes, Red Hook, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com

The cafe is cute and cosy—with a long line snaking around the register of fellow cake-lovers. The booth cross-benches are filled with people on laptops and friends catching up over snacks.

Baked: kid-friendly cafes, Red Hook, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com

With such a huge selection of treats, it’s difficult to know what to try. They’re well-known for their giant marshmallows, and, even though they didn’t want to be a cupcakery, their cupcakes are known to be pretty good too.

Baked: kid-friendly cafes, Red Hook, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com
Where the magic happens!

We sat in a booth at the back where we could park the stroller behind us. The kitchen is next to the tables, with an open glass window to check out the baking in progress. Older kids will enjoy seeing their favourite treats being made before their eyes. Cheese just wanted to smash the glass jars.

Baked: kid-friendly cafes, Red Hook, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com
Coca-cola bunt cake

I chose the intriguingly named “Coca-Cola Bunt Cake“. Disappointingly, it only had the slightest hint of Coca-Cola flavour in the icing—otherwise it was just another delicious chocolate cake.

Baked: kid-friendly cafes, Red Hook, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com
Focaccia with Spinach, Tomato and Cheese.

Alec tried the Focaccia with Spinach, Tomato and Cheese as he’s not a big cake-lover (I know, right? How are we even married?!). He said it was delicious and would order it again.

Baked: kid-friendly cafes, Red Hook, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com
Trying the bunt cake.
Baked: kid-friendly cafes, Red Hook, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com
Disappointed she’s not getting cake. Chocolate and Banana Scone.

We ordered Cheese a Scone of the Day in chocolate and banana. It was a good scone, but sadly Cheese just wanted the cake, of course.

Last bite: Join the rest of New York and take a day trip to Red Hook for delicious baked goods from Baked. Allow time for wandering around the quaint houses and parks in the area—and perhaps get the ferry home!

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Minimal.
Easy access: No. There are a few steps to get in.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Baked
359 Van Brunt St
Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 222 0345
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm Sat-Sun 8am-7pm

Get directions.

Baked on Urbanspoon

Brunch Survival Guide: Taking Your Kids To A Food Festival

Smorgasburg, DUMBO
Kid wants food.

While food festivals are ideal outings to take a baby, toddler or older kid to, they can also be chaotic and overwhelming.

Here are our tips on how to survive (and hopefully enjoy!) a food festival with kids:

  • Pack your bag in advance. Lots of face wipes, water or milk bottles, bibs. Snacks, or possibly even an entire meal for the kid, incase the food takes too long to buy. Don’t forget sunscreen and a picnic blanket if there is no seating area at the event.
  • Bring entertainment for the child—a ball or baby doll stroller for restless toddlers, or something new your baby hasn’t yet seen.
  • Scope out what food vendors will be there or decide in advance what kind of food you are in the mood for so that there is a meal game plan of sorts.Remember, babies and toddlers have a very brief window of time in which they will tolerate, well, anything. Especially when it comes to you enjoying a meal.
  • Arrive early. We can’t emphasise this enough. If you are unable to get this step right, be sure to mind the following ones, or you might as well head straight home, feeling hungry.
  • When you first get there, have one person take the baby and stake out somewhere to sit. Find tables and chairs, or put down a picnic blanket on the grass.
  • Have the other person forage/hunt for food.
  • Note! The Food Hunter may have the urge to take her time browsing ALL of the food stalls and enjoy her time away from the baby. Don’t give in. Time is of the essence.  If it’s a busy day, choose the shortest line. Lunch decision made.
Smorgasburg, DUMBO
Dramatic backdrop at Smorgasburg.

That’s it! You made it! Enjoy your food, lounge in the sun (or, if you’re like us, take turns chasing your toddler while your partner lies in the sun), and congratulate yourself on successfully taking your family to a food festival.

Looking for a food festival to try? Our fave is Smorgasburg DUMBO—with Jane’s Carousel and several playgrounds nearby, it’s the most kid-friendly food festival we know of.

What’s your favorite food festival to visit during the summer?

Brunch Special: Kopal Goonetileke, Co-Founder of PishPosh Mommy

Today’s Brunch Special is courtesy of Kopal Goonetileke, co-founder of PishPosh Mommy—creators of stylish products that help you organize your life with a baby. Kopal lives with her husband, Malcolm, and her three children, Hariel (age seven), Kanya (age five) and Kyelle, (age three and a half). The family currently lives in Westchester, after having moved from San Francisco five years ago.

Pishposh Mommy - via brunchwithmybaby,com
Kopal and her family.

How would you sum up PishPosh Mommy?
We design and develop products that provide functional organization for stylish moms.

How did PishPosh Mommy begin?
The PishPosh Mommy vision began in San Francisco in 2007 when I met my now business partner, Jenny Hong. We were two new moms who were equally frustrated by the lack of stylish solutions for carrying and organizing baby gear.  We loved our new lives as mothers, but we didn’t want to feel sentenced to years of lugging around bulky, unattractive diaper bags! We created the Carryall, an innovative bag organizer that transforms any bag into a diaper bag. We sourced fun, modern prints for our bags and named them after our favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco.

Pishposh Mommy - via brunchwithmybaby,com
Kopal and the Carryall.

Tell us about your products—why do you consider them “must-haves” for moms?
Our signature product, the Carryall, allows your favorite handbag, tote or beach bag to function as a diaper bag. The Carryall also adds simple, stylish organization to any bag or stroller.  We have a variety of chic prints to suit the tastes of any mom.

The PishPosh Wet Bag is our multi-purpose solution for all things wet. And with kids, let’s face it, something always gets wet! The bag’s uses grow right along with your child, from infant cloth diapers to toddler training pants to big kid swimsuits. The front pocket holds dry items while the water-resistant, leak-free main pocket keeps wet things contained. Moms can even use it to store make-up or toiletries for travel or quick trips to the gym.

Other great accessories by PishPosh Mommy include the Diaper Clutch, PishPosh Pad and arriving this fall, the Changing Clutch, Nursing Cover and large size Wet Bag.

You have the perfect gear for taking kids out and about. When did you start taking your kids out to eat in restaurants?
We’ve been taking our kids to restaurants since within a few weeks of bringing them home from the hospital. It became a little more challenging once we had our third, but we believe it’s important for them to experience different cuisines and also to understand how to sit and wait, especially when sometimes they are the only kids at the meal and Malcolm and I are socializing with other adults.

What have you found are the easiest/hardest ages to eat out with your kids?
When we had only one child it was always pretty easy to eat out. Then when our daughter came along it became a little more challenging especially since she is a pickier eater. From the age of about six months until three there were a lot of really quick eat-and-run-type meals in restaurants. Now that our kids are all over the age of three, dining out has become enjoyable again and we strive to avoid electronic devices to entertain the children unless the dinners run more than an hour.

Any stories of an especially successful eating out experience with your kids?
Choosing a restaurant that is kid-friendly, or going at a time when the restaurant isn’t busy has always worked in our favor. Of course, a good server is always a bonus. We had one experience where our server actually took the kids back into the kitchen so that they could see their meal being prepared and it was fantastic! Not only were they excited to eat but they had so much to talk about during the entire meal.

Fave local restaurants/cafes to eat out with the kids?
Landmarc in the Time Warner building is a great place to take kids. We also love Mary’s Fish Camp but it’s small so better to go during off hours.

Fave spot to stop for treats?
We love 16 Handles Frozen Yogurt where the kids get to pull the handle and then add the toppings, so it’s like make your own sundae every time!

Do you have any eating out traditions with your family?
We love to eat out on Saturday mornings after soccer. Lunch time menus usually offer more kid-friendly choices, and there are less crowds, making it a stress-free way to start our weekend!

Fave spot to go for special family occasions or events—but where kids are still welcome?
Southern Hospitality has great brunch, and if you can get the back room for your event it’s perfect with kids so that they can run around while the adults relax.

Number one tip for other parents when eating out with kids?
Fill your Carryall or Diaper Clutch with coloring books, crayons, stickers and don’t forget the wipes! If your little one is still in diapers then don’t forget your PishPosh Diaper Clutch. It looks just like a regular clutch but fits diapers and wipes, and even comes with a changing pad so toting your little one—and his/her gear—into tiny NYC restaurant bathrooms becomes a little more manageable. And, finally you will definitely need your PishPosh Wet Bag in case there is a food or drink spill. The dry pocket will hold that extra change of clothes and you can safely hide away the soiled clothes in the wet pocket until you can get home to wash them. The Wet Bag has a snap wristlet so that you can attach it to your stroller or to another bag easily.

Check out the PishPosh Mommy range below. Order your favorites at the PishPosh Mommy online store and enter the code “BWMB25” for 25% off your purchase, valid until 7/31/2013.
[metaslider id=3254]

Nom Wah Tea Parlor: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Chinatown, New York

Nom-wah dumplings
Be prepared for dumplings!

It’s a rare day that I’m out without my kid. Usually she’s my trusty (although not at all trust-worthy) sidekick, for better or for worse. On this particular day, however, I found myself heading out to try Nom Wah Tea Parlor with some friends, with the promise that I would be able to eat my dim sum heart out with Nom Wah’s extensive list of vegetarian options.

Nom-wah dumplings
So. Much. Food.

Nom Wah is a famous dim sum eatery in Chinatown, that has been operating in some shape or form on Doyers Street since 1920 (it originally opened as a bakery and tea parlor). People queue outside for a long time (how long, I don’t exactly know, as we got there when it opened to avoid that exact problem!) for a chance to squeeze into this retro tea parlor/dim sum emporium and eat, eat, eat the cheap and delicious dim sum.

Nom-wah dumplings
Rice roll with fried dough ($4).

Which leads me to why I was childless on this day. Toddlers (particularly mine) have a set napping schedule that cannot be messed with, or bad things happen. Plagues of locusts and such. Since Cheese is a morning napper, it means we can’t ever have brunch somewhere at opening hour (10:30 am). With Nom Wah, getting there at opening hour is the best choice unless you want to join the giant queue, so that’s how I turned up to review a restaurant for kid-friendliness, minus the actual kid.

Nom-wah dumplings
Tofu Skin Roll served with gluten-free soy sauce ($4).

Also in our party was a friend who is gluten-intolerant. Nom Wah is great for people with all kinds of dietary requirements because so much of the menu is made with rice instead of wheat flour, so my friend was in absolute food heaven with so many gluten-free food choices. Plus, the menu even indicates those items that are gluten-free.

Nom-wah dumplings
Steamed vegetable buns.

While I ate at Nom Wah minus my toddler, the restaurant was packed with small kids, ranging from small babies and up. Children are very welcome no matter their age, so long as they’re happy to be squished into a small booth or sitting on an adult’s lap at the table. No room for strollers, so bring a carrier if possible. The service is fast if you can get their attention, and the food arrives swiftly, piping hot and flavourful. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about dumplings in an environment where kids are welcome.

Last bite: Arrive when Nom Wah opens to be seated straight away, or be prepared to join a long queue. An authentic, affordable, and casual place to order lots of  fun dishes so kids can experiment with all the flavours and textures. Chopsticks optional!

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Chinatown
13 Doyers St.
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 962 6047
Prices $
Hours: Sun-Thur 10:30am-9pm; Fri-Sat 10:30am-10pm

TriBeCa Treats: Kid-friendly Cafes, TriBeCa, New York

After a traumatic trip to the paediatrician for Baby J, Alexis, Cheese, Baby J and I all badly needed a pick-me-up. A quick Google search revealed nearby TriBeCa Treats, so we trundled off to get a sugar hit to power us through the rest of the afternoon.

Tribeca Treats
Roomy shop.

The interior was surprisingly roomy – plenty of space for multiple large strollers to comfortably fit inside. A long table in the middle gave the shop a communal dining-feel. When we were there, two little girls were happily coloring and reading books at the table. (This would be a great place to bring kids after school to start on homework or to unwind. We will keep this in mind for the future!).

Tribeca Treats - cupcakes
Tribeca Treats – cupcakes.

Of course, what we were most interested in, was the treats. TriBeCa Treats sells a wide variety of cupcakes at a (Manhattan) bargain of $2 each, as well as brownies, cookies and more.

Tribeca Treats
Kids’ table!

A sweet little kiddie table near the counter was a really nice touch, so the kids happily sat at the table eating their treats instead of running around like escapees from the loonie bin.

Towards the front of the store there are a variety of cute greeting cards and lots of accoutrements (paper plates, napkins, gifts) for a party to go with your bakery order.

Tribeca Treats - cupcakes
Baby J gets his cookie on.

Last bite: This little gem of a cafe is a great place to stop by for a sugar hit with the kids—or without them.

Highchairs: No. But there is a toddler-sized table for the littles.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: No. There are a few steps to get in.
Change tables: No. But there is a bathroom behind the counter that patrons can use (you just have to ask).
Kids’ menu: No.

Tribeca Treats
94 Reade St (btwn. West Broadway and Church St.)
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 571 0500
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 12pm-5pm

Happy Fourth of July!

 

Happy Fourth of July, via brunchwithmybaby.com
Scene from last summer’s fourth with Baby J.

Brunchers! Hope you’re celebrating the long weekend with your families.

The Brunch With My Baby team is laying low and chillaxing in the city  (and nearby beaches) this year.

Here are some suggestions on some fun ways to enjoy the weekend in the city:

 

What’s better on a hot Fourth of July weekend than POPS? Check out this selection all over the city.

Enjoy using the free BBQs at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5. Get there early to fight for your table!

Check out a few New York icons you might not have already been to with the kids.

Step back in time to visit the dinosaurs at the Bronx Zoo.

Take it easy with a cone of Ample Hills ice cream at Brooklyn’s Pier 5 playground.

How about a trip to Coney Island to see the Nathan’s Famous 4th of July hotdog eating contest? It’s on at 10:30 this morning, so if you miss the big contest, be sure to grab a dog and perhaps head on over to the newly-re-opened New York Aquarium.

Take the shuttle to Rockaway Beach and grab the best fish taco around at Rockaway Taco on 95th St.

 

Have a blast. And speaking of . . . Hope you get a good view of the fireworks!

xo,

Alexis and Christine

Willow Road: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Chelsea, New York

Willow Road, kid-friendly restaurants, Chelsea, New York, via brunchwithmybaby.com

One of our favourite areas of the city is in Chelsea right under the High Line, with Chelsea Markets, the Hudson River Park and Chelsea Piers all a short stroll away. A new eatery to this prime strip of real estate is Willow Road, a New American restaurant and bar offering twists on classic dishes and an extensive cocktail menu (try the Hair of the Dog pick, the Willow Fresca—sparkling wine, fords gin, fresh lemon, peach tincture$14, for a refreshing zing to wake you right up).

Willow Road, kid-friendly restaurants, Chelsea, New York, via brunchwithmybaby.com

Thanks to the not so reliable service on the subway, we arrived late and somewhat dishevelled. The hostess couldn’t have been friendlier or more charming, letting us sit at the table while we waited for everyone else to arrive. No highchairs, so we sat in a corner booth-type area, and squished the Cheese between us to stop her from escaping. The vibe was a bit party-like, which was surprising for a brunch crowd. A hen’s party wearing candy pink cowboy hats took up one large table (and were amazingly mellow), while upbeat tunes played over the speakers.

Willow Road, kid-friendly restaurants, Chelsea, New York, via brunchwithmybaby.com
Bread basket, $10

We ordered the bread basket to keep Cheese entertained while we waited for everyone to arrive and order—it came literally in a casserole dish, possibly the most bread I’ve even see dished up on a plate. It was fresh and warm, but with no butter, spreads or oil. Upon request we were given a dish of whipped butter, which complemented the bread to perfection.

Willow Road, kid-friendly restaurants, Chelsea, New York, via brunchwithmybaby.com
Cheese chilling with Dad for a very brief few minutes.

It seems like Cheese has reached a certain difficult age where dining out is similar to our first few months with her as newborn. As in, one of us would eat while the other walked around rocking the baby. Now, instead of being rocked, our chaos-loving toddler, who refuses to sit still for a minute, needs to be escorted around by one parent, while the other gets a few minutes to shovel in her food. We’d been warned to expect this at her age (22 months), so it’s not a big surprise. It does, however, mean our restaurant choices for the next few months will be a lot less of the sit-down variety, and more of the grab-and-go kind.

Willow Road, kid-friendly restaurants, Chelsea, New York, via brunchwithmybaby.com
Crispy Black Kale with pecorino, chile, and garlic

We had a few friends with us, so we ordered a good variety of brunch food, including the Crispy Black Kale (with pecorino, chile and garlic), Cast Iron Baked Eggs (with chorizo, charred scallion, parmesan cream, $16), Slow-Cooked Eggs (with steel cut oats, smoked bacon and maple hollandaise, $15), Egg White Omelette (with spring vegetables and charred tomato sauce, $14), Charred Bean Salad (with mustard seed, pepita and smoked paprika, $14) and the star dish of the day, the Brioche French Toast (with banana-apple caramel and whipped sour cream, $15).

Willow Road, kid-friendly restaurants, Chelsea, New York, via brunchwithmybaby.com
Cast Iron Baked Eggs: chorizo, charred scallion, parmesan cream, $16
Willow Road, kid-friendly restaurants, Chelsea, New York, via brunchwithmybaby.com
Slow-Cooked Eggs steel cut oats, (minus the smoked bacon), maple hollandaise, $15
Willow Road, kid-friendly restaurants, Chelsea, New York, via brunchwithmybaby.com
Egg White Omelette: spring vegetables, charred tomato sauce, $14
Willow Road, kid-friendly restaurants, Chelsea, New York, via brunchwithmybaby.com
Charred Bean Salad: mustard seed, pepitas, smoked paprika, $14

The Charred Bean Salad was the dish of choice for our gluten-and dairy-intolerant friend. It was also perfect for both of the vegetarians at the table. A great mix of flavours and textures with perfectly grilled beans and seeds, and a zing of paprika.

Willow Road, kid-friendly restaurants, Chelsea, New York, via brunchwithmybaby.com
Brioche French Toast: banana-apple caramel, whipped sour cream, $15

My Brioche French Toast was lusted after by everyone except the toddler who just wanted to eat pieces of ice from the water chiller. It was everything French toast should be—light, fluffy, sweet, and covered in a delicious apricot and caramel fruit compote, with a dash of whipped sour cream. It. was. amazing. I may have shared it around to stop all the hungry faces from staring at me.

While Willow Road had none of the usual baby-friendly paraphernalia, what they did have was extremely friendly and accommodating staff. Miss Cheese was at her wriggliest (walk! walk! down! down!) and spent the entire time running around the restaurant (yes, we were THOSE people) and up and down the ramp and stairs out the front. The hostess and other staff we ran (literally) into during these strolls could not have been more understanding and kind, making it super kid-friendly even without highchairs and change tables.

Last bite: A great option for brunch with friends or a date night in Chelsea. Bring the kids for a fun meal, with super friendly and accommodating staff. Order the Brioche French Toast and a Hair of the Dog, and enjoy a relaxed outing.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Minimal – bring a fold-up stroller or carrier.
Easy access: No. There are a few steps to get in after the ramp at the entrance.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Willow Road
85 10th Ave (between 15th St. & 16th St.)
New York, 10011
Phone: (646) 484 6566
Prices: $$$
Hours: Brunch: Sat-Sun 11am-3pm Lunch: Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm Dinner: Mon-Sun 5:30pm-3am
Reservations

Brunch Special: Lauren Pohl, Founder, Kidz Central Station

Today’s Brunch Special is courtesy of Lauren Pohl, founder of Kidz Central Station, a website where parents can search for and book fun classes and activities for their kids. Lauren lives with her husband and two kids, her four-year-old daughter and 18-month-old son, in Manhattan.

Lauren Pohl, Kidz Central Station
Lauren Pohl with her daughter.

How would you describe your business and website, Kidz Central Station?
Kidz Central Station helps parents search for, learn about, compare and enroll in classes/activities for children (like Open Table but for kids activities rather than restaurants).

How did Kidz Central Station begin?
I was motivated to start Kidz Central Station after I tried to find a cooking class for my daughter and Googled “kids cooking classes”—and only found tons of adult classes. I asked friends for suggestions and walked around my neighborhood to see if there were any cooking schools for kids. I became frustrated as I use technology for so many aspects of my life as a mother (e.g. buying diapers at diapers.com or sharing photos on Facebook) yet there was no comparable service for discovering, comparing and enrolling in kids’ classes and other activities. I knew that there were so many amazing options for classes and activities in NYC for kids, and that there needed to be an easy, centralized way, for busy parents to learn about them.

We built Kidz Central Station so that parents could go to one site and learn about the different kid activity options available by searching with filters that are important to them such as age, price, location, type of class and schedule, and to directly enroll if they so desire. We also have reviews of classes/activities so parents can learn from the experiences of other parents.

What kinds of activities has your business introduced your kids to?
Every week we learn about so many amazing and interesting classes and activities available in NYC. My daughter is four and loves princesses and fairy tales. As a result of Kidz Central Station we were introduced to the Galli Fairy Tale Theater. She now takes an acting class there and will also do a week of camp there this summer. She loves performing the stories we read at home and pretending to be the different characters. I also learned about some really cool art classes for kids, called Claire’s Creative Adventures, that include visiting local museums as part of the classes. This kind of option make so much sense to have in NYC and I’m so glad that we can help other parents learn that it’s available.

On to food! When did you start taking your kids out to eat in restaurants?
We started taking our children to restaurants when they were able to sit in a highchairs. We took a vacation when our daughter was four months old. We ate in a bunch of restaurants on that trip and found it wasn’t as hard as we expected it to be.

What have you found are the easiest/hardest ages to eat out with your kids?
Four is a good age to eat out as she likes to try to read the menu (or at least the letters on the menu) and this occupies her. Ages 12-18 months were hard as both of my children threw their food on the floor and they constantly wanted to hold the utensils and throw those on the floor as well.

Fave local restaurants to eat out with the kids?
We love a local Italian restaurant near our apartment called Notaro as it’s really family-friendly, the waiter knows our kids’ names and always makes us feel really welcomed. We love that there are often other families there, so we aren’t the only ones with loud kids who can’t sit in their chairs.

Fave spot to stop for treats?
We like PinkBerry and we love the vegan chocolate chip scones from WholeFoods. Our (almost) daily routine now includes going to WholeFoods to get these scones—after picking up my daughter from school on Fridays, plus other random days when the mood strikes. We take the scones to nearby Madison Square Park to enjoy them.

Do you have any eating out traditions with your family?
We enjoy going to Central Park and then out to our favorite pizza restaurant, Al Forno. Whether we go to the zoo, play in a playground or go scooting in the park, we typically end up at Al Forno and then Emack and Bolios for ice cream.

Number one tip for other parents when eating out with kids?
Remember your kids always seem louder to you than they do to other people.