Adventure, baby!

Christine Knight

Christine is the editor of Adventure, Baby!

Date Night in Sydney

On our recent trip back home to Sydney (another post on that coming later) Alec and I had a special night – our first away from E. Not Alec’s first time away overnight, but definitely my first, and our first together. Monumental! And all thanks to my wonderful parents who volunteered to baby sit their granddaughter even though she had a fever that required them getting up through the night and then my mum sleeping with her the rest of the night. Bless you Mum and Dad, you’re the best!

It was so wonderful to have some time with Alec to reset our relationship and to spend a bit of time enjoying Sydney again together. I found a great deal on a hotel we stayed at for my 30th birthday in The Rocks – the Langham (it used to be called The Observatory Hotel). The hotel is a beautiful old-school place, really luxurious and comfortable at the same time.

We kicked our night off walking around The Rocks, picking up treats for later at the Guylian Chocolate Cafe, and then with dinner at Pony, a restaurant that wasn’t there last time  we were in town, and was absolutely amazing. Really delicious food (my ricotta pasta was perfect), kick-ass cocktails, and a fantastic vibe that was upscale trendy without being too try-hard.

Something that really struck me on this trip back is how much the food culture in Sydney has changed. There are lots of really hip new cafes and restaurants around town now – and all throughout the suburbs – which made for some culinary adventures that reminded me of how amazing Australia’s produce is.

After our delicious dinner and potent cocktails, we head back for an early night and rented a movie (we never get to watch movies anymore!).

The following morning, after breakfast at the hotel restaurant, we dropped by La Renaissance Cafe (the place to go for French pastries) to pick up treats for my parents, then head back on home.

One thing to be said for being back home, it’s great to have some more than willing babysitters!

Dear New Mum …

Dear new mum,

Yes you, the one who I see at my local park, swaying and rocking and shushing your baby in the carrier, walking in circles around the block to get your wailing, sleep-despising baby to give in to sleep.

I see the bags under your eyes. I see exhaustion in your face. I see how close to tears you are. I see it all and in you, I see me.

You probably look at me and my toddler – almost preschooler – and think I’ve had it easy. You watch as she plays independently on the jungle gym, face plants after a fall on the monkey bars, then picks herself up and declares that she will try again, all while I’m laughing with a friend, relaxing nearby.

It wasn’t always like this. It wasn’t always fun and stress-free to take an outing to the playground. I remember a time when I was the one power-walking around my neighborhood to the tune of a wailing newborn, too scared to look people in the face for fear of their reactions – rarely sympathetic, often wondering exactly what I’d done to that baby to make her scream like that. I remember holding my baby upright, all night long, for weeks on end, because reflux prevented her from sleeping any other way. I remember being so tired I literally collapsed every night into a coma-like sleep, only to be woken a few hours later, hoping that the screaming, miserable baby had just been a bad dream.

You are probably asking your pediatrician for help. Desperately begging for an answer to stop the crying, the wailing, the nights where your baby is up every half hour and you think you just can’t it take any more. You’re told patronisingly that they’ll “grow out of it in a few months”, which seems like a lifetime when every day seems to last an eternity.

Dear new mum. What I want to say to you is, you are not alone. You are me two-and-a-half years ago, drowning in despair and unable to find your way out of the newborn fog. It might not seem like it, and you might want to punch your doctor in the face every time he tells you that it will end, but he’s right, it will end, even though it seems like it won’t. In the meantime, don’t hide in the darkness. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your baby is a hard baby and you need support. Speak up and be heard – your voice matters, your health and sanity matter.

Dear new mum. I was you not long ago. I want to tell you that I see you, I see how much you love your baby even though you also want to throw it out the window some days, because no matter how exhausted and lonely and miserable you are, you are still pushing yourself past your physical and emotional limits every single day, not giving up.

You might feel like you’re struggling through this alone and that no one sees you as your own person anymore, but you’re not invisible. I see you. You matter. And it will get better, I promise.

The Teahouse Camellia Gardens; Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Sutherland, Sydney

The #Teahouse #Camellia #Gardens, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Secreted away in Sutherland is The Teahouse Camellia Gardens. Follow winding roads and walk through beautiful gardens to find your way to the Teahouse, a tiny oasis of gentile calm in the Shire, where you can wisle away an afternoon elegantly, drinking tea, nibbling scones and looking over the lush gardens below. Or, if you have a small child, briefly enjoy this experience, and then use the playground next to the teahouse to wear them out.

The #Teahouse #Camellia #Gardens, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Bookings on weekends are advised as the Teahouse is a popular spot for parties and baby showers. We arrived without a booking and did have to wait a while for our table. The Teahouse is laidback, with service a bit on the erratic side. We had arrived on a busy day, which may explain the service (I like to give the benefit of the doubt!).

The #Teahouse #Camellia #Gardens, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

As a popular family destination, the Teahouse features a large kids’ menu, with breakfast options (such as the Scrambled Eggs & Toast, $6.50), lunh options (including cooked “meal deals” for $10.90, or sandwiches from $4), and snacks and beverages, like kiddie shakes ($3.50). Since Missy E is a picky eater, we ordered her the shake, a juice popper (we were using sugar to combat jetlag at this point), and a bowl of Beer-Battered Chips  ($5.50).

The #Teahouse #Camellia #Gardens, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

The rest of our party ordered various items from the lunch menu. Unfortunately, since it was such a busy day, many of the items were sold out, including the only vegetarian option. The staff were happy enough to make me a salad sandwich however (as long as it was on their only remaining bread, foccaccia). Other dishes ordered included: Crisp Beer-Battered Flathead Fish & Chips served with Salad & Tartare Sauce  ($18.50), Salt and Pepper Calamari with a Papaya, Green Mango, Cucumber Ribbons, Bean Shoots, Mint & Coriander Salad topped with the Teahouse dressing & Lime Aioli ($18.50),and the Teahouse BLT, with Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayonnaise served on Thick Cut Toast & Chips ($14.50).

The #Teahouse #Camellia #Gardens, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

The #Teahouse #Camellia #Gardens, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

The #Teahouse #Camellia #Gardens, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

The #Teahouse #Camellia #Gardens, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

While it was a bit of a wait to get the table, and we were warned that the meals might be slow, they actually arrived very quickly. The chips were crisp and cooked all the way through (yum!), the sandwiches served with fresh produce. It was a solid meal — nothing outstanding, but nothing bad either.

The #Teahouse #Camellia #Gardens, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

Desserts were another matter — and to be expected from a teahouse. The scones ($4) and mini pavlovas ($8.50) were absoutely spectactular. We would absolutely come again just for afternoon tea.

The #Teahouse #Camellia #Gardens, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

After indulging on scones and pavlova, buy a bag of duckfood for 60c from the teahouse, and wander through the gardens to feed the feathered inhabitants. They’re well-used to visitors and are not overly concerned about the smallest of new friends, especially when they come bearing food.

The #Teahouse #Camellia #Gardens, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

 Last Bite: The Teahouse is a delightful way to spend an afternoon with kids.  

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

The Teahouse Camellia Gardens
President Ave,
Caringbah South NSW 2229
Phone: 02 9540 2018
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm Sat & Sun 9am-5pm
Get Directions

The Teahouse on Urbanspoon

Dressing Brooklyn: Appaman and the Husband and Wife Team Behind It

The Brunch With My Baby team are huge fans of Appaman, a Brooklyn clothing brand known for their stylish kids’ clothes. Lynn Husum owns the brand, along with her husband Harald. She filled us in on what it’s like running a family business and raising kids (Kaya, 9, and Elie, 7) in NYC. 

#Appaman: Interview & #Giveaway via brunchwithmybaby.com

We hear that Appaman was named after Harald’s childhood stuffed monkey. Is he still kicking around?
Yes Appaman (the original) is still around. He is a little floppy but he is in the office on a shelf for inspiration.

#Appaman: Interview & #Giveaway via brunchwithmybaby.com

Appaman is a husband and wife team — how has it been working together AND raising two girls?
We truly love to work together. We are great at the division of labor thing. I won’t lie, there are good days and bad days, but the good far outweighs the bad. We each have tasks at work and home and we don’t micromanage each other. I think trust and a sense of humor are imperative when you have a working marriage like ours. The highs are being able to be in each others lives on a consistent and regular basis, to celebrate the triumphs and laugh at the daily absurdities. The lows are that we have most of the same problems so when something goes wrong we are both stressing about it. Rather than just one party having a work issue, we both have it.

#Appaman: Interview & #Giveaway via brunchwithmybaby.com

Starting your own business is a brave endeavor — what were Appaman’s humble beginnings?
We started in our 659 square foot apartment in Brooklyn. We dyed clothing in our washing machine and went door-to-door selling our wares. Harald took some screen-printing classes and was printing on our kitchen table. I took a night course on marketing to the children’s wear industry on a shoestring. I was a star pupil, did everything I was told and it worked.

#Appaman: Interview & #Giveaway via brunchwithmybaby.com

Were there any big setbacks or disasters along the way?
Knock wood, we have not had too many disasters. The biggest one I can recall is the season very early on that we shipped pants that could not fit any human child. They were very long and incredibly thin. We had to recall them but at the time we only had a few dozen accounts so although it seemed like a big deal at the time it was pretty minor.

#Appaman: Interview & #Giveaway via brunchwithmybaby.com

What was the biggest “We’ve made it!” moment with Appaman so far?
One of our T-shirts was photographed on Maddox Jolie-Pitt on the day Angelina announced her pregnancy with Brad Pitt’s baby. It was like the photo that went around the world. It was a perfect shot of our t-shirt and our phones were ringing off the hook. It was an exciting moment and a great example of the power of celebrity in the day and age.

#Appaman: Interview & #Giveaway via brunchwithmybaby.com

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?
We live in NYC so inspiration is everywhere you look. Walking down the street can fuel creativity any day of the week.

#Appaman: Interview & #Giveaway via brunchwithmybaby.com

What do your kids think of your designs? Do they wear them?
We have two girls and they are fans of Appaman but are very picky. They like to choose the styles they are into at the current moment and are very vocal about their opinions. They are both pretty proud of Appaman but do not wear it exclusively.

#Appaman: Interview & #Giveaway via brunchwithmybaby.com

You’re based in Brooklyn! What are your favorite places in the ‘hood to take your family?
I love Brooklyn and my family has extreme Brooklyn pride. We are big fans of Coney Island for the boardwalk, Nathan’s and the Cyclones. We spend a lot of time at Fort Tilden beach in the summer. We hit Bay Ridge regularly for eating. We love Tanoreen for Middle Eastern food. Grand Sichuan House for Chinese. My kids’ favorite is Vietnamese food. They are obsessed with Pork Pho. We always go to Gia Lam in Sunset Park. We spend a lot of time at Brooklyn Bridge Park and weekends on Governor’s Island. Brooklyn is an amazing place to raise a family. I like to refer to it as small town living in an urban setting. My kids know all of the merchants in town and we shop at small bodegas for fruits, veggies, fish and meat. It’s friendly and family oriented.

GIVEAWAY
The kind folks at Appaman are giving one lucky Brunch My Baby reader the chance to win an outfit from their fall/winter collection. Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.

Entry open to US mailing addresses only. Giveaway opens Wed February 19, 2014 to 11:59pm 25 February EST. By entering this competition you are agreeing to sign up to the Brunch With My Baby mailing list. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cold outside, cosy inside: The 7 A.M. Enfant Blanket 212 Chevron

#7amenfant @7amenfant #blanket212chevron via brunchwithmybaby.com

New York winters are brutal. Icy winds, sleet and snow, and long, gloomy days. What you need to survive the long cold days is warm things, lots and lots of them, for you and your baby. We are particularly enamoured with the new stroller bunting from 7 A.M. Enfant — the Blanket 212 Chevron. You might be freezing as you’re trudging through grey sludge, but at least your kid will be so warm and snug that you’ll want to climb in there with them.

If you haven’t heard of the 7 A.M. Enfant brand before, they are known for their innovative, high-quality line of baby and children’s products, particularly those suited to the cold. Designed by French designer Rebecca Campora, the brand is colorful, playful and stylish, using the kinds of luxurious fabrics that you wish your own bags and clothes were made out of.

#7amenfant @7amenfant #blanket212chevron via brunchwithmybaby.com

Their latest version of the popular 212 stroller bunting is called the Chevron. As well as being the most attractive and eye-catching bunting we’ve ever seen (CHEVRON!), it fits any stroller, so you can easily use it on your SUV-sized or umbrella stroller equally well. The new Chevron pattern comes in six color combinations, from bright pinks, greens and reds, to subtler blues and the black and tan one pictured.

#7amenfant @7amenfant #blanket212chevron via brunchwithmybaby.com

The exterior is a water-repellent shell, designed to withstand rain and snow, with ultra-soft premium fiber insulation (read: super, super, super warm). The interior is anti-pilling micro-fleece that is not only warm enough for extreme New York winters, but also comes out of the washing machine looking like new. They’re not lying about the anti-piling — that feature alone makes this bunting worth its cost.

Other features you’ll love:

  • 2 length extensions so it grows with your child

  • Ergonomic hood with safe buttoned elastic adjuster

  • 5-point harness openings for securing into any stroller and car seat

  • Side strap attachments to secure the footmuff

  • Anti-slip back panel

  • Large front pocket

As mother to one very squirmy child, what I also love about this bunting is the strong zip up the middle. It means that tricksy toddlers like mine can’t kick it off – they must submit to being warm.

Bottom line is, this is an investment piece. A gorgeous-looking bunting made from high-quality materials, that’s made to last. Not kidding — you will pass this bunting down from kid to kid to kid, and it will still look fantastic when toddler number three is using it.

Brunch With My Baby was provided with a sample for reviewing purposes. All opinions are our own. 

The Palms Cafe; Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Stanwell Park, Sydney

#palmscafe #stanwelltops #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

In the heart of scenic Stanwell Park lies an unassuming little cafe: The Palms. Drive too fast around the bendy road and you’ll miss it completely — much to your own detriment, as it’s a perfect spot to grab lunch with family.

We dropped by on a Friday afternoon. The cafe was busy with couples and families with young kids (perfect!). Nothing special for the kids — just friendly staff, fast service and really, really, really good food. The cafe features all-day breakfast, hearty meals made with fresh, local produce, and devonshire tea and cakes baked fresh on the premises.

#palmscafe #stanwelltops #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Our party ordered the Fish of the Day ($24), Homemade Meatloaf (potato mash, tomato jam, salad & turkish bread, $18.50),  Slow-roasted Honey Mustard Beef on Damper (mustard dressing & fresh coleslaw, $17), The Palms Big Breakfast (smokehouse bacon, old english pork chipolatas, tomato, mushroom, hash brown, fried eggs & toast, $20), Sweet Corn & 3 Cheese Fritters (usually comes with chorizo but I swapped it for avocado, tomato & spinach salad, $17), and Bluberry Banana Bread (with ricotta and strawberries, $8).

Every meal was perfectly prepared and presented. The waitress was extremely flexible with our picky eaters, offering substitute items for things that weren’t wanted (the first time I’ve ever encountered this!). My sweet corn fritters were bursting with juicy corn, and the salad lightly dressed — a perfect combination that left other members of our party with food envy. Miss E wasn’t overly hungry and snacked on bread, refusing to even try the delecatble blueberry banana bread.

#palmscafe #stanwelltops #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

#palmscafe #stanwelltops #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

#palmscafe #stanwelltops #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

#palmscafe #stanwelltops #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

#palmscafe #stanwelltops #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

#palmscafe #stanwelltops #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

The Palms Cafe is in a perfect location for lunch on the way to or from some fun outings in the Sutherland/Wollongong area. A few minutes further down the road and you’re at the beach. The cafe is also only a few minutes from Symbio Wildlife Park (check out our blog post for more info!).

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

The Palms Cafe
111 Lawrence Hargrave Dr,
Stanwell Park NSW 2508
Phone: 02 4294 3371
Prices: $$
Hours: Open Breakfast & Lunch Thurs-Mon 9am-4pm
Get Directions

The Palms Restaurant & Bar on Urbanspoon

Symbio Wildlife Park; Helensburg, NSW

#Symbio #Wildlife Park via brunchwithmybaby.com

Nestled in the quiet suburb of Helensburg lies Symbio Wildlife Park,  a tiny zoo that makes for a great afternoon of wildlife encounters — particularly for little kids. Symbio boasts “we’ll get you closer”, and there are indeed opportunities to get up close to lots of animals. The grounds are spacious and well-kept, and the animals all healthy and happy looking. No sad depressed animals in tiny enclosures here.

#Symbio #Wildlife Park via brunchwithmybaby.com

We arrived just in time for the koala talk. It was an informative session with lots of great info that I didn’t know about the koala. It was a little over the heads of the littler kids though — better for older kids and adults, as the tiny tots were getting restless. The talk usually ends with the opportunity to touch a koala, but our koala was a newbie and people-shy, so no pats for our sad toddler, despite her repeated exclaimations that “he’s so cuuuuuuute!”.

#Symbio #Wildlife Park via brunchwithmybaby.com

The biggest hit for all of us was the walk-through kangaroo enclosure — a large paddock filled with kangaroos. We had bought bags of animal feed at the entrance so we were ready to get up close and personal with some Aussie icons. The kangaroos were extremely docile — I would imagine because they’re so used to lots of people being around them. They were very happy being touched and would munch the grass off your hand, tickling your palm with their teeth. We showed Miss E how to feed them carefully, and pretty soon she was able to feed them on her own.

#Symbio #Wildlife Park via brunchwithmybaby.com

The goats also were excited to be hand-fed — they were in an enclosure that they were desperate to escape in their enthusiasum for our grass-like food. These super friendly goats were actually very gentle, and E was able to feed them without loosing any fingers.

#Symbio #Wildlife Park via brunchwithmybaby.com

There were actually a lot of animals roaming wild, but they kept their distance from us (good call, toddlers are notorious animal-chasers). We spotted peacocks, ducks and cockatoos cheerfully roaming the grounds.

#Symbio #Wildlife Park via brunchwithmybaby.com

As well as having standard farm animals, the zoo is home to a few exotic creatures like a Sumatran tiger (who was MIA when we visited his enclosure), red pandas, crocodiles, adorable marmoset monkeys and meerkats.

#Symbio #Wildlife Park via brunchwithmybaby.com

A surprise standout was an albino echidna — something none of us had ever seen before.

#Symbio #Wildlife Park via brunchwithmybaby.com

#Symbio #Wildlife Park via brunchwithmybaby.com

#Symbio #Wildlife Park via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

Symbio Wildlife Park is a great way to spend a few hours entertaining kids. I would recommend lunch at a nearby fave, The Palms Cafe, for delicious food before exploring the park.

Symbio Wildlife Park
7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Dr,
Helensburgh NSW 2508
Open daily, 9:30am-5pm
Phone: 02 4294 1244
Prices: Adults $27, children 3-15 years $15.

Cafe Colette: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Williamsburg, New York

Cafe Colette, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Williamsburg via brunchwithmybaby.com

On a cold winter’s day, we made a trek on the G train to Williamsburg to visit friends and try out Cafe Colette. With a lot of restaurants cramped with elbow-tight tables, it can be hard to find kid-friendly restaurants in the ‘Burg. This little gem was a lucky find for this hungry family.

Serving New American cuisine, Cafe Colette serves up primarily locally-sourced in a menu that is influenced by flavors and techniques from Spain, Italy, Central America, and beyond.

Cafe Colette, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Williamsburg via brunchwithmybaby.com

The vintage feel, with the tin roof and cosy booths, conjours up a scene from a movie. Luckily for us, we arrive just when the cafe opens, and are shown to the corner booth, where there is plenty of room to park our stroller (and toddler).

The staff are welcoming and friendly to our crazy two-year-old. Missy E chose that morning to wake up pre-dawn, and so, by brunch-time, was a hot mess. While we felt stressed out by her antics, the staff showed no signs of dismay or judgement (thank you!!) and could not have been nicer, even when she tipped over a large glass of water all over the floor, requiring mopping.

We visited on a Monday and were served the lunch menu. I chose the Soup and Sandwich (tomato soup and grilled cheddar cheese on sourdough, $11) and the Hand Cut French Fries, $6, hoping missy E would eat some, and the rest of our party selected Breakfast Sandwich (fried farm eggs, cheddar cheese, smoked paprika aioli, lettuce, choice of bacon or sausage, $10), Garlic Herb French Fries (red chili oil, cracked black pepper, $8), Grilled Flatbread (caramelized onions, arugula, pecorino romano, garlic chili oil, $11) and the Grilled Fish Tacos (cilantro, red cabbage, pickled onions, chipotle mayonnaise, $12).

Miss E did indeed enjoy my lunch choice — after she ate all the fries, she progressed to demanding my soup to feed to herself (not a good idea, let it be noted). She’s a fussy eater, so it was actually great to see her wanting to try something like tomato soup, even if it had messy results. She wouldn’t try my grilled cheese, but I enjoyed it immensly. I adore sourdough, and this was good sourdough (not the fake kind with vinegar), with the right amount of cheese (not too little so it’s dry, but not too much to make it artery-clogging).

Missy E was a manaic and I spent most of the time trying to stop the tomato soup flying through the air. Alec and our friends enjoyed their meals, although the flatbread and garlic herb fries were deemed a bit too hot (both contained chili oil).

Cafe Colette, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Williamsburg via brunchwithmybaby.com

Cafe Colette, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Williamsburg via brunchwithmybaby.com

Cafe Colette, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Williamsburg via brunchwithmybaby.com

Cafe Colette, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Williamsburg via brunchwithmybaby.com

Cafe Colette, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Williamsburg via brunchwithmybaby.com

Cafe Colette, #kidfriendly #restaurants #Williamsburg via brunchwithmybaby.com

Last Bite: A bustling brunch or lunch joint, perfect for a casual lunch with friends AND a crazy baby or toddler. 

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

Cafe Colette
79 Berry St,
New York, NY 11249
Phone: (347) 599 1381
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Thur 11am-12am, Fri 11am-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-12am
Get directions

Cafe Colette on Urbanspoon

Burgers For Picky Eaters at The Counter: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Midtown, NY

The Counter: #Kid-Friendly #Restaurants #midtown, #NYC via brunchwithmybaby.com

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a picky eater. I’ve gotten a lot better as I’ve gotten older and have forced myself to keep trying new foods, but the fact remains that I am indeed annoyingly picky. So nothing makes me happier than to be able to choose every ingredient in my food (A.K.A. control freak syndrome).

Back in Sydney, I used to frequent The Counter, a choose-your-own-burger-adventure restaurant on Sydney’s North Shore. Delighted is an understatement to describe how I felt when I discovered The Counter also had a home in Times Square. I usually avoid Times Square like the G train, but I often end up in the area, starving after seeing a show, and The Counter is my go-to to escape the Times Square crazy and indulge my food OCD with a really fine burger.

The Counter: #Kid-Friendly #Restaurants #midtown, #NYC via brunchwithmybaby.com

We ended up back at The Counter after taking Cheese to see a dance/theatre show for kids called Ballerina Swan that was playing in a theatre nearby. After an hour of watching some very athletic people on stage, we were all famished.

When you sit down at The Counter, you’re handed a massive menu. The top portion is for you to fill out with your burger requirements. Burgers start from $10.95. Choose your size and type of meat, bun type and toppings. Not eating carbs? Select the burger in a bowl, with salad instead. The Counter caters to lots of dietary restrictions, with gluten-free burger buns and a vegan veggie patty. The menu also serves as something for toddlers to scribble all over while you’re waiting for your meal.

The Counter: #Kid-Friendly #Restaurants #midtown, #NYC via brunchwithmybaby.com

The Counter makes amazing shakes. We always order one to share — this time it was Butterscotch with Malt ($6.50). There is no kids’ menu, so Cheese makes do with shake, fries and bites of our burgers.

The Counter: #Kid-Friendly #Restaurants #midtown, #NYC via brunchwithmybaby.com

I always order the same burger — I have it perfected finally, after multiple visits. I get the 1/3lb vegan veggie patty on a whole wheat bun, with baby spinach, tomato, carrot, pineapple and Tillamook cheddar cheese.

The Counter: #Kid-Friendly #Restaurants #midtown, #NYC via brunchwithmybaby.com

Alec had the 1/3 lb beef burger (100% natural angus beef, hormone and antibiotic-free), on a ciabatta bun, with baby spinach, tomato, avocado, and Tillamook cheddar cheese.

The Counter: #Kid-Friendly #Restaurants #midtown, #NYC via brunchwithmybaby.com

It’s important to order fries at The Counter. We always get the Fifty-Fifty ($6) with half regular fries and half sweet potato fries. They are just so good. Trust me.

The atmosphere at The Counter is great for kids. Upbeat music playing, friendly staff and lots of chatting means you don’t have to stress over how your kid is behaving. It’s a low-key, great meal option in an area of NYC that’s devoid of really great places to eat.

Looking for somewhere nearby to play? If it’s cold, let the kids roam around the Disney or Toys R Us stores — endless (warm!) fun.

Last Bite: Build your own burger at this kid-friendly restaurant in Times Square. The Counter delivers on great food and a no-stress attitude. 

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Minimal – bring an umbrella stroller if possible.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

The Counter
7 Times Square (41st & Broadway)
New York NY 10036
Phone: (212) 997 6801
Prices: $$
Hours: Sun-Wed 11am-11pm, Thur 11am-12am, Fri-Sat 11am-1am
Get directions

The Dream Big Academy: Rosie Wants to be a Fireman {Book Review}

The Dream Big Academy: Rosie Wants To Be A fireman {Book Review} via brunchwithmybaby.com

If your little one is at the age where she is curious about where mommy or daddy goes all day when they head off to this mysterious place called “work”, then this new children’s book by NYC author (and mom!) Marissa Klein are for you.

After struggling to find career-related books suitable to teach her own 2.5-year-old about careers, Klein decided to write her own story, The Dream Big Academy: Rosie Wants to be a Fireman. With whimsical illustrations by the talented Brooke Hagel, Rosie Wants to be a Fireman is the first in a series of books that are based on that question that stumps us even now: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Each night when Rosie goes off to sleep, a whole new world opens up for her. In this dreamworld, Rosie can be anything she wants to be. In Rosie Wants to be a Fireman, she helps rescue a cat from a tree and decides that when she grows up, she’ll be a fireman. Tomorrow, however, who knows what Rosie will want to be — you’ll have to follow the series to find out! With gorgeous, fashion-inspired illustrations and sweet rhyming language, little girls will adore following Rosie on her adventures — and hopefully be inspired to find some new big dreams for themselves.

The stories are intended for 4-7 year olds, but 2-3 year olds can enjoy a good read with an older sibling. While this is a children’s book, the message rings true for adults as well – it gives parents an opportunity to explain to their children why they have to go to work every day and how important it is to chase your dreams.

The Dream Big Academy: Rosie Wants to be a Fireman (Rissylyn; June 2013; $12.99, paperback; $19.95, hardcover; $4.95, Kindle) is now available for purchase via Amazon and Create Space. Visit http://www.thedreambigacademy.com to learn more or to buy your copy today.

The Dream Big Academy: Rosie Wants To Be A fireman {Book Review} via brunchwithmybaby.com