Adventure, baby!

Christine Knight

Christine is the editor of Adventure, Baby!

Lark: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, NY

Lark, Ditmas Park - kid-friendly brooklyn
Bright, roomy interior.

A cafe that caters especially to families that doesn’t compromise on style. No, it’s not a mystical creature, it does indeed exist, in the form of a sweet little cafe called Lark, in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn. Started by Kari Browne, a journalist, and Lori Kranczer, a lawyer, Lark was born when the two mothers realised there was nowhere in their neighbourhood for families to go to relax, connect and have fun.

We dropped by Lark on a Saturday afternoon after playing in nearby Prospect Park.

Lark, Ditmas Park - kid-friendly brooklyn
Delectable delights – doughnuts by Dough, pasties, artisan pop tarts.

At the front counter we were delighted to see locally-sourced food such as our favourite Dough doughnuts. Lark also features Blue Marble ice-cream, Ovenly cookies and cupcakes, Colson pastries, Betty Bakery cookies, ring-a-dings and twinks, Magpies pop tarts and Stumptown coffee.

Lark, Ditmas Park - kid-friendly brooklyn
Lemon pop tart and chocolate croissant.

I tried a lemon pop tart, while Alec tested out a chocolate croissant and a coffee. My pop tart was like a giant shortbread cookie, filled with lemon jam – both Cheese and I really enjoyed the sugar hit. Alec, who has a serious love of croissants, pronounced that his treat was “really good” – as evidenced by the speed in which it was inhaled.

Lark, Ditmas Park - kid-friendly brooklyn
Cheese + pop tart. Clearly a hit.

A really great feature of Lark is the events that they hold in the cafe and adjoining event space. Lark offers daily sing-a-longs and story time, as well as live jazz on Saturday afternoons. Performers include well-known kiddie faves such as AudraRox, Music For Aardvarks and Rolie Polie Guacamole. They also host new parent meet-ups and Babes and Beer Happy Hour, which sounds right up our alley!

Lark, Ditmas Park
Honey, Dear – vintage jazz, 4-5pm Saturday afternoons.

Being a Saturday afternoon, we were lucky to be in time to catch vintage jazz duo, Honey, Dear, who performed some cruisy, bluesy tunes, a perfect low-key compliment to the relaxed atmosphere.

Lark, Ditmas Park - kid-friendly brooklyn
Cheese rocking out and eating pop tart. Toddler heaven.

As an added bonus, Cheese adored the jazz music. She was totally engrossed in watching the performance (and eating my pop tart), so it was a really enjoyable afternoon for us all.

Lark is constantly adding new events to its already jam-packed schedule. Coming up is a floral arrangement class for kids (junior family members will have fun with flowers, such as making a bouquet), which is being run in conjunction with Stems (the floral shop connected to Sycamore, the bar). Summer at Lark heralds even more new events, including a revolving art exhibit featuring local artists.

Last bite: Lark is your go-to cafe for relaxing with family and friends. Catch a kiddie class or weekend jazz, or just stop by for some seriously good treats.

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

Lark
1007 Church Ave,
Brooklyn, NY 11218
Phone: (718) 469-0140
Hours: Mon-Thur 7am-7pm, Fri 7am-8pm, Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 8am-7pm

Get Directions.

Lark on Urbanspoon

Friday Link Love

Brunchwithmybaby.com

Happy Friday Brunchers! We’re psyched for a long weekend, even if the forecast is not looking the best. Alexis and her family are soaking up the sun in Mexico, while Christine’s family are planning to brunch at Station, and spend a (hopefully sunny!) day on Governor’s Island.

To get you into the long weekend mood, here are some fun links to check out.

Celebrate The Cloister’s 75th anniversary over the weekend with fun events for the whole family.

When it eventually warms up, you’ll need sun protection! Check out these great sun safe picks for babies from our friends at Well Rounded NY.

The 11 Best Ways To Spend Memorial Weekend In Brooklyn.

Crocs are making boat shoes for kids – yay or nay?

Governor’s Island is open again! The free ferry service resumes tomorrow at Pier 6.

Kid-friendly events for the family to enjoy over Memorial Weekend.

Citi bikes have arrived. Who’s going to give them a go?

Happy 130th birthday Brooklyn Bridge!

The most adorable pics you’ll see today – the cutest toddler ever surrounded by cherry blossoms.

Alexis’ new kid’s book is out! Pre order it on Barnes & Noble or Amazon. Ask her nicely and she’ll sign it for you.

Our friends at Kidz Central Station featured us on their brand new blog! Check out Christine’s post on Where To Eat, Play and Shop in Brooklyn Heights.

Luke’s Lobster and No. 7 Sub are coming to Brooklyn Bridge Park this coming Monday.

Enjoy your weekend!

Love, Christine and Alexis xox

Best Restaurants near the American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History
Dinosaurs!

One of the best places to take kids of all ages is the American Museum of Natural History. We’ve been taking Cheese there since she was in utero – true story. Whether you’re taking your baby, toddler or bigger kid, there’s literally something for everyone to enjoy. Babies are happy to look at ceiling fans, so the constant changing scenery of exhibits makes them happy to just watch everything pass by. Toddlers love the dinosaurs and giant whales, and bigger kids can get involved in the exhibits.

Before a trip to the museum, you really need to food up to get through the day. Instead of eating at the museum cafe, check out these nearby restaurants that you and the kids will all enjoy.

Sarabeth's UWS
Cheese enjoying her grilled cheese and fries at Sarabeth’s West.

Best elegant dining: Sarabeth’s West
Book a table for a finer dining experience at Sarabeth’s West, where kids are welcome (and usually present, in abundance!). Try their four flower juice and the ricotta pancakes or omelette. No need to order for toddlers – they’ll steal your delicious brunch right off your plate. Ask for a kid’s sippy cup to entertain young ones and buy you a bit more time.

Sarabeth’s West
423 Amsterdam Avenue (80th Street)
New York
Phone: (212) 496 6280
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-10:30pm, Sun 8am–10pm

Isabella's, Upper West Side. Kid-friendly restaurants, New York.
Me and my Cheese at Isabella’s.

Best Friendly Staff: Isabella’s
Not only is the food amazing at Isabella’s, but the staff really go above and beyond to make families feel at home. Waitstaff happily entertained Cheese when we last visited, as well as delivering fast service and perfectly cooked food. FYI I had an omelette and it was devine. Last tip: be sure to book a table as they’re super popular and get busy on weekends.

Isabella’s
359 Columbus Ave
New York
Phone: (212) 724 2100
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-10pm Sat-Sun 10am-11pm

Sugar and Plumm, kid-friendly New York
Bright, roomy interior.

Most appealing to little (and big!) kids: Sugar and Plumm
“Purveyors of yumm”, Sugar and Plumm are bright, cheerful and full of treats. They deliver a great brunch menu, sure to delight everyone in the party, regardless of their age. Kids are catered for with an innovative menu, sippy cups, crayons and a menu to colour in. The drawback: no reservations, so expect a long wait on weekends.

Sugar and Plumm
377 Amsterdam Ave
New York
Phone: (212) 787 8778
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8:15am-11pm

Shake Shack UWS, New York
Don’t take the shake from the baby. It’s bad.

Best fast food option: Shake Shack UWS
Fast food doesn’t necessarily mean bad food, as proven by the ever-popular Shake Shack. Right outside the museum, and only a block from Central Park, this is the best bet if you’re in a hurry. Solid burgers, fries and shakes will please most fussy eaters. The shakes are an especially big hit with the toddler crowd. They have high chairs and change tables, plus a downstairs rec room with extra seating, so be sure to check it out if the street level area is packed.

Shake Shack, UWS
366 Columbus Avenue
(at West 77th St)
New York
Phone: (646) 747 8770
Hours: Daily, 10:45am-11pm

Two Little Red Hens: Kid-friendly Bakeries, Upper East Side, New York

Little Red Hen, UES, Kid-friendly Cupcakes, New York
Cupcakes and cakes on display.

A little cupcakery on the Upper East Side, Two Little Red Hens is big on great-tasting treats.

We dropped by after a day in nearby Central Park for a sugar hit to get us home. It’s a tiny little storefront, but still has room for a few strollers.

Little Red Hen, UES, Kid-friendly Cupcakes, New York
Famous for their red velvet.

Two Little Red Hens is known for their red velvet cupcakes. People (yes, sane ones) trek to their bakery from all over the city just for these cupcakes.

Little Red Hen, UES, Kid-friendly Cupcakes, New York
A little dining area, with room for strollers.

If you don’t like cake, this is not the place for you. Note the display – cake, cake, and more cake. And some cookies for good measure. The cupcakes are available in regular and mini sizes, perfect for a small bite of cake if that’s all you feel like.

Little Red Hen, UES, Kid-friendly Cupcakes, New York
Crowded area to buy the cupcakes.

On the afternoon we visited, there was a queue for the cupcakes, but the wait wasn’t long. It is a small space though, so be prepared to squish in – and eat lots of cake!

Last bite: Cupcakes galore, with just enough room to sit down with the kids for an afternoon (or morning!) treat.

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

Two Little Red Hens
1652 2nd Ave,
New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 452 0476
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-9pm, Sat 8am-9pm, Sun 8am-7pm

The Blue Stove: Kid-friendly Restaurants, Wiliamsburg, New York

The Blue Stove, Williamsburg - kid-friendly brooklyn

Here’s a good generalisation for you. Aussies love their pies. After two years living in the US, my husband and I really crave the occasional savoury pie, ala Aussie-style.

We finally ventured to Williamsburg to test drive The Blue Stove, after hearing that they might satiate our pie cravings.

The Blue Stove, Williamsburg - kid-friendly brooklyn
The Blue Stove – super-cute, old-fashioned interior.

The Blue Stove is such a sweet, old-fashioned store, with a serious hipster edge (hey, it’s in Williamsburg! Of course it’s a hipster pie store!). We loved the rustic wood, long communal dining bench, and pies tied up with string.

The Blue Stove, Williamsburg - kid-friendly brooklyn
Pies of the day!

The pot pie range is wide – savouries like vegetable, pulled pork and chicken. They also have a wide range of seasonal fruit pies, such as apple, strawberry rhubarb and key lime. Our advice – you need to try both, so go with friends so you can share both savoury and sweet.

The Blue Stove, Williamsburg - kid-friendly brooklyn
Waiting for pies.

I ordered a vegetable pot pie, and it was delicious. Root vegetables delicately seasoned with flaky pastry. The only thing it was missing was a good dousing of tomato sauce (that’s ketchup, US friends). Or maybe this is just how Aussies eat it. Anyway – if you love your pies with tomato sauce/ketchup, BYO.

The Blue Stove, Williamsburg - kid-friendly brooklyn
Vegetable pot pie.
The Blue Stove, Williamsburg - kid-friendly brooklyn
Cheese tries her first pie – tucks right in, like a little Aussie.

I also ordered an iced tea. I wasn’t a fan of the flavour they had already brewed, so the helpful staff offered to make me my iced tea of choice from scratch. Yay!

The Blue Stove, Williamsburg - kid-friendly brooklyn
Teas, ready for brewing!
The Blue Stove, Williamsburg - kid-friendly brooklyn
Specially-brewed iced tea.
The Blue Stove, Williamsburg - kid-friendly brooklyn
Trying my iced tea.

Moving on to the dessert round, we split a strawberry rhubarb pie (make sure to ask for ice-cream on top). It was everything a pie should be – stuffed with fruit and bursting out of the pastry. Yum. We will all be back for more!

The Blue Stove, Williamsburg - kid-friendly brooklyn
Strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert.

Last bite: The Blue Stove is all about pies – so come hungry and be prepared to eat your fill. Park the stroller and balance your little ones on your lap while they dig into your delicious pie.

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

The Blue Stove
415 Graham Ave
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 766-7419
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am–9pm

Get directions.

The Blue Stove on Urbanspoon

Brunch Special: Sammy Smith Coleman, Co-founder of Bottle Rocket Stroller Tours

Today’s Brunch Special is courtesy of Sammy Smith Coleman, co-founder of Bottle Rocket Stroller Tours. Sammy lives with her husband, Matt Coleman, and their daughter, Edie, 21 months, in a brownstone in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.

Sammy with husband, Matt, and daughter, Edie.
Sammy with husband, Matt, and daughter, Edie.

Tell us about your business, Bottle Rocket Stroller Tours:
We take mamas (papas and other caregivers too!) and their dreamlets on tours of museums, galleries, parks, architecture and food establishments.

Bottle Rocket Stroller Tour
Bottle Rocket Stroller Tour in action.

What inspired you to start the stroller tour business?
I’ve always dreamed of running a business and was at a time in my life where I felt like I needed to balance caring for my daughter and doing something for myself. A friend approached me and asked if I’d partner with her and I immediately said yes!

What are some of your upcoming tours?
We have a High Line Park tour on May 20th, The Jewish Museum of Art on May 22nd, Neighborhood Food tours, June 5th and 12th, Park Slope Architecture on June 20th and 28th and MoMA on June 26th. (Check out all of BRST’s upcoming tours online.)

What do the food stroller tours involve?
We tour local kid-friendly food shops and restaurants. For example, on the Cobblestone Brooklyn tour, our last stop was Brooklyn Farmacy, where they made mini egg creams for the kids. Our tours try to accommodate dietary restrictions that both the moms and kids might have. There was one mom who couldn’t eat dairy so she had a non-dairy drink at Farmacy and ate bread with local honey when we stopped at Stinky Brooklyn. Most of the places we tour will have an alternative option when needed.

How should parents taking your stroller tours prepare for their kids’ snack-attacks?
We always encourage mom/caregivers to bring snacks for their kids, especially on our outdoor tours. We can’t guarantee that there will be something that all the babies/kids will eat but we try. Most of our tours are late in the afternoon so most go home to have dinner. We can always recommend local kid-friendly restaurants to have dinner at after if anyone is interested.

Sammy and her daughter, Edie.
Sammy and her daughter, Edie.

On to food! What have you found are the easiest/hardest ages to eat out with Edie?
Easiest age was by far was when she was a few weeks old, up till she started walking at around 12 months. It became more challenging after that since she wanted to explore and run around.

Any stories of an especially good or bad dining out experience with Edie?
My favorite story was at Rucola a few months ago. We were waiting for my husband to arrive and Edie saw him through the window walking towards the restaurant. She started yelling, “PAPA!! PAPA!” at the top of her lungs and the whole place started laughing. As soon as he walked in she got even louder and Matt felt like the proudest papa around. So far we haven’t had any really bad experiences outside the typical screaming and throwing stuff.

Fave local restaurants to eat out with your family?
Building on Bond, Moo Burger, Watty & Meg. Buttermilk Channel in Carroll Gardens is amazing with kids! We also love Ted & Honey, and sitting outside at Bar Tabac.

Fave spot to stop for treats?
One Girl Cookie, Brooklyn Farmacy, Betty Bakery, scones from Building on Bond, and ice-cream from Van Leeuwen.

Edie Coleman.
Edie Coleman.

Do you have any eating out traditions with your family?
My husband makes pancakes and waffles a lot on the weekends. We’ll have to start some traditions! We did Friday night pizza at the mall when I was a kid, I have such great memories of it!

Number one tip for other parents when eating out with kids
Don’t leave home without books, snacks, a zipper pouch full of random stuff she’s never seen before, and ask for your kid’s meal a little early – but not too early so they finish way ahead of you!

Sugar and Plumm: Kid-friendly Restaurants, UWS, New York

Entering Sugar and Plumm is like stepping into a a modern day Willy Wonka Land. Bright, cheerful and colourful, with delicious-looking sweets. Even as an adult, the candy land that is Sugar And Plumm has a strong allure for me, evoking memories of childhood candy stores, long summer days and running wild with friends.

Sugar and Plumm, kid-friendly New York
Bright, roomy interior.

Sugar And Plumm is divided into two sections – the restaurant and store. On weekends expect to wait for a table, so get there early or leave your name and hope you get seated before the kids lose the plot (or talk you into buying a pile of candy from the store).

Sugar and Plumm, kid-friendly New York
I want it all!

The good news is that they serve treats like ice-cream, macarons and cake in the store section, so if they’re crazy busy on the day you visit, you can always grab something sweet to eat in the park, and come back another day to sit down in the restaurant.

Sugar and Plumm, kid-friendly New York
Macarons!
Sugar and Plumm, kid-friendly New York
Adorable shop.

Once seated, everything runs smoothly. Cheese is brought a sippy cup with water, crayons, and a kids’ menu she could colour in.

Sugar and Plumm, kid-friendly New York
Using the big-girl fork.

One tip – if your kid is eating with cutlery and not yet ready for an adult fork, bring a toddler fork with you. Cheese stole my fork and tried to stab herself in the throat with it, trying to feed herself scrambled eggs.

Sugar and Plumm, kid-friendly New York
Burger with added side of fries.
Sugar and Plumm, kid-friendly New York
Crunch toast.
Sugar and Plumm, kid-friendly New York
Scrambled eggs in brioche birds nest.
Sugar and Plumm, kid-friendly New York
Plain jane vanilla shake.

We ordered a range of dishes, including burgers, the crunch toast, wholegrain salad (vegan and gluten-free) and a vanilla Plain Jane shake. Everything came out quickly and was well-cooked, as you’d expect from a quality restaurant. Cheese was given the eggs-in-a-basket, scrambled eggs in brioche toast, which came with another sippy cup (filled with milk this time). She loved the eggs but found the brioche toast too hard and crispy to eat.

Last bite: A crowd-pleaser for kids of all ages, get in early to secure a table, and enjoy a family-friendly meal that will leave everyone with a sweet taste in their mouth.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes – on a weekday, plenty of room for giant strollers. On weekends, stick to one that folds.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

Sugar and Plumm
377 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY
Phone: (212) 787 8778
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8:15am-11pm

Sugar and Plumm on Urbanspoon

To all the mothers out there!

Happy Mother’s Day!

The Brunch With My Baby team wishes you a beautiful day with your families. We hope you’re going somewhere sweet (or savoury!) for brunch!

Christine and her mum.
Christine and her mum, Kay.

 

Alexis and her mom, Iris.
Alexis and her mom, Iris.

 

Love,

Christine + Alexis


Cafe Pedlar: Kid-friendly Cafes, Cobble Hill, New York

For a coffee-picky Australian (like, say, my husband), finding a great latte is like discovering a sparkly unicorn living in your neighbourhood. Our favourite cafe to stop by every Sat (and Sun!) morning for coffee is Cafe Pedlar, an artisanal coffee shop in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Their coffee beans are roasted by Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and their baristas are all well-trained in the delicate art of making lattes and more. In addition to freshly baked pastries, they also serve some light lunch items such as sandwiches and cut fruit.

Cafe Pedlar
Roomy, hipster interior.

As well as making killer coffees, Cafe Pedlar is nice and roomy, with some tables and chairs if you want to sit down. Bonus – they have enough room for you to park your stroller at the tables. Take your coffee and enjoy it on one of the benches outside the cafe, or grab a pastry (on good days they have little pretzel bread rolls) and a window seat for a sweet morning ritual.

Cafe Pedlar, Cobble Hill, New York
Entertaining the kid while waiting for coffee.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Yes. There’s lot of room for strollers of all sizes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Cafe Pedlar
210 Court St
Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 855 7129
Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-7pm

Get directions.

Happy Friday! Have a Beautiful Brunchy Weekend!

 

cheese_smorgasborg
Cheese, being sassy on a spring day.

Hope you’re planning to enjoy the beautiful spring weather that looks like it’s FINALLY here to stay. (We know Cheese is ready for more ice-cream outings.)

The Brunch With My Baby team is looking forward to relaxing with our families – and checking out more kid-friendly restaurants to review. Alexis plans on taking Baby J and Big J to try someplace new in the city (that will be her reward for driving out to New Jersey today AND Saturday to visit friends and family). Christine and Co. might just be forced to sample more treats from Smorgasburg. For work, you know.

We hope you enjoy your weekend and have a chance to enjoy some of the many delicious places and sights NYC has to offer. Here are a few fun links from around the web to help inspire you:

 

Brooklynites, check out these great dishes, and where to eat them.

Want suggestions for fun weekend outings?

This great new website for stylish new mamas and mamas-to-be is a must-see.

OXO Tot’s awesome new cutlery, plate, bowl and cup for toddlers that want to be big kids. Genius.

Ever wonder how much you should be eating? (On second thought, maybe we shouldn’t click…)

Bare Burger just opened in Cobble Hill! Ahhhhh!

Healthy eating for your family is made easy with these wholesome, nourishing meal plans.

 

Have a good one!

Christine + Alexis