Adventure, baby!

New York Food

Brunch Special: Jessi Brelsford, Owner of Taste Buds Kitchen

Today’s Brunch Special is courtesy of Jessi Brelsford, owner of Taste Buds Kitchen. Jessi and her husband, Jeff (who just joined TBK full-time), live in Murray Hill, after having lived seven years in a 5th floor walk-up in the West Village. 

Tastebuds Kitchen

 

How would you sum up Taste Buds Kitchen? How did it start?
Taste Buds Kitchen offers fresh and creative culinary events for kids and families ages two to adults. We love kids, families and food! Cooking birthday parties, summer camps and our in-school after-school programs are our most popular offerings. Our home base is our Kids Kitchen in Chelsea but we also have satellite locations at FAO Schwarz and in Bridgehampton for the summer.

I started Taste Buds as a hobby back in 2007 when I was working full-time on Wall Street. A few baking classes later, I made it into a full-time business and I haven’t looked back since. I love the challenge and adventure of being a small business owner and bringing smiles to the budding chefs of NYC through our lip-smacking culinary adventures.

jessi-tastebuds-Class

Why is food important to you and your family? What are you trying to teach your children about food?
My husband and I love food and, of course, we love to eat. The best part of my day is a glass of wine and one of my husband’s home cooked meals. I love that food brings people together and offers the opportunity for connection in the kitchen. I enjoy exploring all of the tastes, textures and combinations and, most of all, the conversation and fun that happens in the kitchen. And of course being a resident New Yorker, I love checking out all restaurants and markets and pursuing my never-ending quest for the best cup of hot chocolate.

My passion for the kitchen started in high school when my mom, sister and I started hosting a weekly “gourmet night” for my family. Each week, we’d each be in charge of a course — starter, main and dessert — and the only rules were that it had to be a new recipe. We had a blast and I love the recipes that we discovered and, to this day, make them often.

Tell us a bit about what kids will learn in the Taste Buds Kitchen classes?
We make everything from scratch and have a blast doing it! The kids learn so much, from measuring, to kneading and decorating, to more advanced Iron Chef type challenges. The younger chefs work on ingredient identification, tastes and textures while older chefs whip up gourmet meals from scratch without following a recipe. We strive to keep food and kitchen knowledge age appropriate and, most of all, to keep the classes fun. Our BYOB adult classes are also a ton of fun and a great way to learn a new skill, like making sushi and dumplings, homemade pasta and more. We also offer special caregiver classes for Baby Food 101 and Cooking for Toddlers.

What do you hope will be the end result of kids taking the classes?
My goal is that Taste Buds Kitchen offers buddings chefs of all ages a new and engaging experience that makes their week. I want everyone who walks through our door to feel welcomed and excited for our culinary adventure. We teach skills that you can apply to food and the kitchen for the rest of your life!

Tips for introducing kids to a great range of food?
Taste, taste, taste and then taste some more. Everyone’s taste buds change multiple times over the course of a lifetime so it’s never too late to try to introduce a new food. And of course, the more kids help to prepare something, the more they’ll want to try it. We like to use  “I Tried Something New” stickers that work like a charm on the 2 and 3-year-olds.

What exciting classes are coming up in the Kitchen?
Our Fall Semester Classes are really amazing! We offer six weekly classes in our Chelsea Kitchen for children ages two to teen. Plus evening BYOB classes for adults.

And then of course my favorite month of the year is December, when we turn our kitchen into a Winter Gingerbread Wonderland with Gingerbread House Decorating Classes for families all month long. It’s the best!

Lastly, what are a few of your favourite local spots to eat out with your family?
Our favorite places of late are Spasso in the West Village, Cacio Peppe for their signature dish and S’Mac for their amazing Mac & Cheese. I keep a restaurant spreadsheet with over 300+ entries of all restaurants that I’ve tried with a special section for where I want to go next. Yum NYC!

Taste Buds Kitchen
109 West 27th Street, 10FL (btw 6th & 7th Avenues)
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-242-2248
Email: classes@tastebudskitchen.com
facebook.com/Tastebudscook

Brunch Survival Guide: Rockaway Beach Day Trip

Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Being from the land of beaches, I’ve found myself desperately missing white sand and blue waves – yet I feel trapped at home because of the timing of Cheese’s naps. Today, however, we decided to throw caution (and naps!) to the wind and catch the A train to Rockaway for a day at the beach.

Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Getting there by train was a lot easier than I’d expected. We caught the A to Broad Channel, then switched to the S (Shuttle) to 90th St. The whole trip took 50 minutes from our apartment in Brooklyn. After getting off the train, it was a 10 minute walk to the beach.

The Rockaways were hit extremely hard during 2012’s Hurricane Sandy. You can still see the extensive damage as you walk to the beach – the houses with ground floor construction still being done, the buildings missing shingles on their walls, parts of the boardwalk still being rebuilt. The beach has undergone a massive reconstruction since the hurricane and it is pretty amazing that the beaches were able to reopen again this summer.  The boardwalk is still in the process of being re-constructed, and sections of the beach are closed off, but don’t let that stop you. There are still 14 miles of white beach for you and your kids to enjoy.

The beach in Rockaway is particularly kid-friendly. The water is calm and shallow at the shoreline, and several newly-reopened playgrounds line the boardwalk.

Rockaway Taco: Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com
Rockaway Taco
First stop is breakfast, after surviving the train trip intact. Everyone we asked recommended Rockaway Tacos, a tiny little taco stand tucked away on 96th street. Breakfast is served 9am-10:45am, then the regular menu from 11am onwards. You won’t be the only taco-seeker, so be prepared for a long wait. Their side garden features benches to sit on in the shade, and cool murals to point out to the older kids. Grab a coffee or smoothie from the coffee and juice stand, Veggie Island, next door, then come back for your tacos. Tacos start from $3.50 each. Go for the fried fish taco – it’s a lightly fried piece of white fish, topped with cabbage and crema in true Mexican style. They also do a nice Elote (corn on the cob smothered in mayo and spices, $3.50).

Rockaways Taco: Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Rockaways Taco: Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Rockaway Taco
95-19 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Rockaway Beach, NY
Phone: (347) 213-7466)
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Wed 11am-8pm, Thur-Sun 9am-8pm

Veggie Island: kid-friendly cafes, Rockaways Day Trip Guide, via brunchwithmybaby.com

Veggie Island
Next door to the famous tacos sits the aforementioned Veggie Island – home of great coffee, smoothies and snacks like the peach muffin ($3) I sampled. You can also grab some brightly-colored fresh fruit and veggies. I also picked up a Strawberry and Banana Smoothie ($6). It was more like a slushie than a smoothie (blended with ice rather than yoghurt or milk), which was great for the hot day.

Veggie Island: kid-friendly cafes, Rockaways Day Trip Guide, via brunchwithmybaby.com

Veggie Island: kid-friendly cafes, Rockaways Day Trip Guide, via brunchwithmybaby.com

Indoor seating is limited to bar stools, so take your smoothie and coffee to go.

Veggie Island
95-19 Rockaway Beach Blvd (on 95th St.)
Far Rockaway, NY 11693
Phone:(347) 277-2268
Prices: $$

Rippers: Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Rippers
Rippers is currently the only concession stand open on the boardwalk. You’ll find breakfast burritos, hamburgers and fries – good, solid beach food. They also have a large, shaded seating area and phone charging station, and are located next to the brand new bathrooms installed on the boardwalk.

Ripper': Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Rippers
Rockaway Boardwalk
Beach 86th Street
Far Rockaway, NY 11693

Roberta's concession stand, Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Roberta’s
Walking along the street to get Cheese to nap in the stroller, I spotted this sign (above), which made my heart jump. Yes, it was the pizzeria I never venture to because I hate, hate waiting.

Roberta's concession stand, Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

The Roberta’s pop-up stand features a wood-fire oven on wheels (genius!), delivering some seriously tasty pies. Each pizza is a single serve, with a basic Margarita costing $6. The pizza took over half an hour to arrive (at least that was better than waiting in line for a seat at a restaurant), but it was absolutely worth it (and better than waiting for over an hour on a line alone). Crispy base, with a soft crusty edge, the perfect savoury tomato sauce and daubs of mozzarella cheese on top. O.M.G. My only regret was not ordering two as Cheese ate a big chunk of mine.

Roberta's pizza, Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

There are a few tables and benches near Roberta’s, but no shade. One option is to take it to the nearby toddler playground to eat on a bench there while your kids run in the sprinklers.

Roberta’s
Beach 69th Street
Rockaway Beach, NY 11693
Prices $$
Hours: Fri 12:30pm-6:30pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-6:30pm

What you need to know before you go

  • Swimming is permitted only when life guards are on duty, which is from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend, daily from 10-6 p.m.
  • Avoid areas with red flags or “beach closed” signs. Temporary “islands” have been built at sections where the boardwalk is still damaged.
  • If you need chairs & umbrellas, there are stores at 116 Beach Street (near the subway) that sell them relatively inexpensively (there are no places to rent them).
  • LABOR DAY UPDATE: The stretch from Beach 110th Street to Beach 130th Street, and Beach 88th Street to Beach 93rd Street, will be closed over the long weekend for dredging.

Getting there

  • Take the A train to Far Rockaway, change at Broad Channel to the S train to 90th st. Travel time from Manhattan is about an hour and 15 minutes.
  • Rockabus has weekend buses from Brooklyn and the Lower East Side.
  • A weekend ferry runs between Pier 11 on Wall Street and Jacob Riis Park.

Brunch Survival Guide: Governors Island Day Trip

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Desperate to get away from the cement landscape that is Manhattan? Us too, especially on days when the heat radiates from the ground up. One of our favourite easy escapes is an afternoon trip to Governors Island. The 172-acre island is just off the southern tip of Manhattan, near Brooklyn. Governors Island was used as a military base for almost two centuries, before 150 acres were sold to the people of New York in 2003. (The remaining 22 acres of the Island was declared the Governors Island National Monument that is overseen by the National Park Service.)

Each year, Governors Island opens every Memorial Day weekend through to the end of September, and is chock full of fun events all summer long. With a young toddler, our choices are a bit limited —so this year the best bets for us were the FIGMENT interactive installations (including the treehouse pictured, above) and a mini-golf course (open summer-long, at the Parade Grounds) the Fête Paradiso and Compost Outpost. Older kids will love the Children’s Museum of the Arts Free Art Island Outpost Program, which is open all season from 11am to 3pm, at Nolan Park. Kids can enjoy hands-on workshops including painting, sound design, sculpture, animation and podcasting.

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

As well as enjoying the seasonal events offered, it’s also really nice to simply take a walk around the island. I love this walkway  (above) through the middle of the park, with the towering trees on both sides, and the empty buildings that once housed military personal (which can sometimes make you feel like you’re in a ghost town).  On a quiet day, it’s an eerie vibe. You can walk or bike (BYO bike or hire one when you get there) around the entire island, to take in an amazing view of the Statue of Liberty and southern tip of Manhattan.

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

The hot event to visit this summer has been Fête Paradiso, a traveling festival of vintage carnival rides and carousels, making its American debut. The collection includes attractions from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as carousels, flying swings and a pipe organ. Not only is it cool seeing rare, museum-quality items in a setting as beautiful as the island, you can also ride most of the vintage attractions. Insider tip: The rides are a bit on the pricey side, particularly if you’re going with a toddler. If you’re riding with your kid, it will cost you each a ticket, even if you’re just holding your kid while they’re riding the carousel. The best value is a buying in bulk.

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

There are a lot of rides, mostly suited to adults and older kids due to lack of modern safety features. The best rides for small kids are the carousels.

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

A carousel with cars was the favourite among the junior set (vroom vroom!). The only problem? No seat belts to strap the kids in, so the merry-go-round presents a couple of challenges — a moving platform, plus a moving toddler ON the platform who wants to buzz from car to car to car. TOO MANY CHOICES FOR TODDLER BRAINS!

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

This miniature VW van was dubbed “the party bus” by the parents watching the chaos unfold, as all the kids scrambled to squeeze inside and take the wheel at once.

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

For a change of pace, calm everyone down at Earth Matter’s Compost Outpost (open all season, 10am-5pm, South Battery). Kids can get up close to chickens, goats, rabbits and worms, all of whom spend their days eating compost, care of Governor’s Island visitors. Older kids can learn about compost first-hand, by taking part in the daily composting.

Eating On The Island
When it comes to food, you have a few expensive choices. Fête Paradiso features an eatery inside a pavilion designed in 1900 for bumper cars. Food is available in a tent, catered by French eatery Le Gamin. You’ll be able to try some traditional bistro fare like Steak Frites ($15), Croque Monsieur ($8) Salade Nicoise ($8) and sweet crepes with Nutella, lemon sugar or jam ($5). Kid-friendly options include hamburgers ($8) and Rotisserie Chicken ($10). Adults can enjoy spirits and wine from the Languedoc region of France. There is also the King Island Food Court, featuring a variety of vendors and cuisines, and picnic tables at which to sit. For a really relaxing day, bring a packed picnic and blanket.

Tips to Know Before You Go:

  • There’s no drinkable water on the island (so no drinking fountains). You can buy water from island vendors and vending machines, but we’d advise bringing plenty of your own. Water bottles can be re-filled in the Governors Island Ferry Waiting Room at the Battery Maritime Building.
  • The only indoor bathrooms are located on the upper and lower level of Building 110, adjacent to the ferry landing. There are plenty of port-a-loos placed around the island if you can’t hold on to find these bathrooms.

Governors Island
Open every Sat, Sun and holiday Monday from 10am-7pm through to September 29. To get there, catch the East River ferry from Manhattan (from Wall St/Pier 11 ($4) or the free ferry from the Battery Maritime Building) or the free Brooklyn ferry from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6. Check out the ferry schedules before you go, and be prepared for a long line if you’re heading across from Brooklyn.

Popbar: Kid-Friendly Desserts, West Village, New York

PopBar: kid-friendly desserts, West Village, via brunchwithmybaby.com

One super hot day wandering through the West Village, my family and I stumbled into Popbar in a heat-induced daze. Desperate for something cool, I ordered my first hand-crafted gelato on a stick (mango!) and there it was: A delicious, cooling treat that took me right back to the summers of childhood, riding my bicycle around the neighbourhood and getting sticky hands from eating popsicles.

PopBar: kid-friendly desserts, West Village, via brunchwithmybaby.com

Popbar produces small batches of their pops (only 26 are made at a time), using natural and fresh ingredients. “The strawberries taste like strawberries, the snozberries taste like snozeberries!”.

Order your custom-made treat at the counter. First, choose your base flavor: PopGelato, PopSorbetto or YogurtPop. Then, either eat it as-is, or have it dipped in dark, milk or white chocolate. The last step is toppings – you can choose from a variety extras like crushed nuts, sprinkles and waffle cone to have your pop dipped in for the finishing touch.

PopBar: kid-friendly desserts, West Village, via brunchwithmybaby.com

The inside seating is limited to bar stools at the counter, so we usually sit on the bench outside, or walk across the street to the park and sit next to the fountain.

PopBar: kid-friendly desserts, West Village, via brunchwithmybaby.com

My favourite flavor is peach with milk chocolate and crushed waffle cone. Alec’s is strawberry with dark chocolate. A custom pop isn’t cheap. A basic pop starts at $4.50. Add 50c for dipping in chocolate and 50c for additional toppings. It’s worth it though – every bite is a taste of sweet, decadent heaven.

Last bite: A fast, sweet, customizable treat that will please the pickiest snackers in every family.

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

Popbar
5 Carmine St,
New York, NY
Phone: (212) 255 4874
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-11pm Sat-Sun 12pm-1am

No. 7 Sub: Kid-Friendly Cafes, DUMBO, New York

No. 7 Sub: kid-friendly cafes, DUMBO, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com

With toddler Cheese now refusing to sit in restaurants, we’re doing a lot of “grab and go” lunches to keep everyone happy. One of our favourite things to do on weekends is to walk on down to DUMBO and spend an afternoon chasing Cheese around the playgrounds, taking a spin on Jane’s Carousel, and eating — usually at the same time as running …

Sandwich experts No. 7 Sub opened up over Memorial Day in the Smokestack Building on Water Street. The location is perfect — directly in between the Pier 1 toddler playground and ferry terminal, and Jane’s Carousel and the Pier 1 pirate playground. It’s also a great option for Sundays when you attempt to go to Smorgasburg and are scared off by the massive queues.

No. 7 sub: kid-friendly cafes, DUMBO, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com

Behind the Smokestack Building is extra seating — yes, in the shade! If you can actually take advantage of seating, it’s the perfect place to take a break and enjoy your sandwich.

No. 7 sub: kid-friendly cafes, DUMBO, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com

I chose one of the staple sandwiches, the Broccoli Classic (Lychee Muchim, Ricotta Salata, Pine Nuts, Mayo). At $9 it’s a pricey sandwich, but it’s also big and filling. The combination of broccoli, ricotta and nuts is delicious. I wasn’t a big fan of the lychee muchim (pickled lychees). They had a bit too much of a kick of chilli for my taste. Next time I would probably order a build-your-own sub, which is perfect for picky eaters like me.

No. 7 Sub: kid-friendly cafes, DUMBO, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com

Sandwiches made from scratch, so be prepared to wait 10-15 mins for your creation. If you have an energetic toddler like we do, take your sandwich to one of the nearby playgrounds to enjoy it while your kid runs around.

Last bite: A great grab-and-go option for lunch (and now breakfast!) in DUMBO. Freshly-made sandwiches are a delicious option when you want good food, fast. Cafe seating is available if you have time to sit with your family. 

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

No. 7 Sub
11 Water St,
Brooklyn, NY
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily, 11am-8pm

Get directions.

No. 7 Sub on Urbanspoon

aden + anais skin care and laundry care review & GIVEAWAY

We’ve been huge fans of aden + anais since we each first laid our hands on our aden +anais muslin swaddles when our babies were born. Many swaddles later, we were delighted to hear that the same brand that is synonymous with high-quality products for babies and toddlers had also released their mum + bub skin care and laundry care ranges. Both product ranges are free of all the nasty things you don’t want touching your baby’s (and your own!) skin (like phthalates, petrochemicals, and lots of other icky stuff).

We took each of the new products from the laundry and skin care ranges for a spin and here are our findings (giveaway at the end!):

mum + bub skin care

aden + anais mum + bub skin care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.comsoothing ointment
Christine: I nearly jumped with joy when I saw that “pawpaw” was the focal element of this range. Pawpaw is an ingredient used in many of the skin care that I grew up with and loved in Australia. It’s renowned for its soothing, cleansing and protective qualities for skin. A little goes a long way with this ointment—I’ve been using the tub for three months and have barely made a dent in it. I love using it as a lip balm, but I also use it to treat minor cuts, insect bites, and even wind-burn. On Cheese, I use it as a diaper ointment, or if she has minor grazes, and also as a lip balm! (She likes to copy her mama.) Available in two sizes (3oz tube, $15.95; 6oz tub, $28.95).


aden + anais mum + bub skin care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.comhair + body wash 

Christine: I love using this hair and body wash on Cheese. A small squirt in the hand covers her completely, foams up well, and gets her squeaky clean. She smells fresh (must be the inclusion of Australian Sandalwood in the ingredients) and her skin feels silky afterwards. The wash is moisturising, tear-free, and can be used to wash and condition hair as well. Comes in one size, (12 oz bottle, $15.95.)

 


aden + anais mum + bub skin care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.comultra-gentle lotion

Alexis: I was sold on the smell of the lotion alone, but when I used it on Little J after his bath I found that it was also rich without being sticky. It absorbed right into his skin. Little J has sensitive skin and is prone to eczema but he has done really well with this lotion — his skin is soft with no rough patches. Plus, it is cheaper than some other comparable “natural” high-end lotions that I have used on him. I also like that it was formulated with a dermatologist. (12 oz pump dispenser, $15.95.)

laundry care

aden + anais laundry care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.comdetergent
Alexis: The Laundress New York (a brand known for their gentle yet effective, eco-friendly, and toxin-free products) and aden + anais came together to develop this deliciously smelling and naturally derived line of laundry products. The result is nothing short of heavenly. I’ve always lusted after The Laundress products but have never had the heart to fork over half a paycheck for them. But ever since I had a baby, I’ve been paying extra attention to the ingredients in my products and how they affect my son’s skin (and yeah, paying extra dough for it as well). I love the way his clothes and mine smell. It is absolutely intoxicating, plus I know that we are not wearing any extra chemicals along with our summer wardrobes. I use a smaller amount than the label recommends for a regular load in my washer, and it still does the job. Eau de aden + anais! (33.3 oz bottle, $22.95.)

aden + anais laundry care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.com

aden+anais fabric softener GIVEAWAY via brunchwithmybaby.comfabric softener
Christine: aden + anais recommend using the fabric softener with the detergent in every wash. I’ve been using it as directed and our clothes are definitely soft and smell amazing. The fabric softener is naturally-derived and free of petroleum, dyes, SLS and tallow. (16 fl. oz bottle, $16.95.)

 

 

aden + anais laundry care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.com

chlorine-free bleach 
Christine: I’ve been using this bleach in conjunction with the detergent and fabric softener, and I’ve definitely noticed that our white towels look crisper and whiter. The dirty marks from ice-cream-covered toddler hands have come right out. Nothing short of a miracle.
(16 fl oz bottle, $15.)

 

 

GIVEAWAY!

aden + anais mum + bub skin care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.comWe love both ranges so much that we have arranged for one lucky reader to win an entire set of the mum + bub skin care and laundry care ranges, plus one signature “Monster Mash” burpy bib set. Total prize value is $145.70.

Competition closes midnight, Tuesday August 27, 2013.

Entry open to US mailing addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Emack and Bolio's: Kid-Friendly Ice Creamery, UES, New York

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I’ve been known to walk a long way for ice cream. Such as this day, when I walked from the west side of Central Park, at 95th street, to 1st avenue and 82nd street just to check out Emack and Bolio’s and satisfy my ice cream craving. (Tip: I actually advise doing this as then your ice cream is totally guilt-free.) Emack and Bolios, UES ice creamery, via brunchwithmybaby.com
This ice cream chain out of Boston specialises in wacky flavors, and are the originators of the “flavored cone” (think waffle cone covered in Fruit Loops, Fruit Pebbles or Oreos). I’m a huge fan of ice cream with big chunks of goodies in it, which is why, after reading a review describing them as similar to my long-time love Ben & Jerry’s, I badly wanted to check them out.

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The flavors (they boast 100 per year) are indeed wacky. Flavors on the menu include “Caramel Moose Prints” (I’m guessing caramel … and moose?) and “Cosmic Crunch” (vanilla with caramel, choc chips, nuts, toffee, cookies pieces).

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The staff were super friendly and happy to hand out as many samples as I wanted to try. I sampled “Purple Cow” (black raspberry with white and dark choc chips). It was delicious, but I was in the mood for something a bit more chocolatey, so I settled on “Serious Chocolate Addiction” (chocolate with chocolate chips and fudge chunks — single scoop, $4.25). I was told that these are two of their most popular flavors, and I can certainly see why. The chocolate ice cream had lots of big chunks of other chocolate goodies, swirled in a rich, delicious ice cream base.

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We sat on stools and people-watched while we enjoyed our ice creams. Note: there are only bar stools at the window to sit on. No chairs and tables indoors. You can, however, sit outside on the bench with your stroller parked in front of you.

Last bite: A fun place to stop for some seriously funky ice cream. Delicious treats for adults and kids alike.

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

Emack and Bolio’s
1564 1st Ave
New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 734-0105
Prices $
Hours: Sun-Thur 12pm-10pm Sun 12pm-11pm

Children's Museum of Manhattan + Cafe Lalo: Kid-Friendly Activities, UWS, NY

Children's Museum of Manhattan - via brunchwithmybaby.com

On a stupidly hot day, we were dying for an indoor space with super strong air-conditioning, where Cheese could also run around. We caught the A/C train straight up to 81st street to check out the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM).

Children's Museum of Manhattan - via brunchwithmybaby.com

The CMOM is a five-story paradise for kids. Each floor contains either permanent or special exhibits, which are highly interactive, and suitable for children of all ages— from birth on up. Cheese, at 22 months, particularly loved the “PlayWorks” exhibit, featuring a fire truck, MTA bus and a giant talking dragon who “eats” letters.

Children's Museum of Manhattan - via brunchwithmybaby.com
Riding atop the letter-eating dragon.

Other exhibits of note included an outdoor water play area in summer, a mural wall for kids to play on, a sand pit, a soft play area for babies and a Dora The Explorer rainforest world (with a jungle canopy and play exotic animal exhibits for kids to discover).

We went on the 4th of July holiday and it was not overly busy, which you’d expect on a public holiday (maybe everyone was out barbecuing?).  You’ll need to check your stroller at the entrance, so bring a carrier for kids who aren’t strong walkers. Also, there are  easy-to-access bathrooms with change tables available.

Cafe Lalo - kid-friendly cafes, NY, via brunchwithmybaby.com

After working up an appetite we ducked into Cafe Lalo across the street (which is worth a visit on its own any day!) for a snack.

Cafe Lalo - kid-friendly cafes, NY, via brunchwithmybaby.com
“Lalo’s Special”: frozen yogurt with fresh berries and an apple turnover.

Since it was so hot, we each ordered the “Lalo’s Special” ($11.50). It’s a bowl of frozen yogurt with your choice of berries, fruit or nuts, and a fresh-baked breakfast pastry of your choice. We both ordered ours with the berries and went with an apple danish and cranberry scone since they were only two remaining pastries. As always, the yogurt was perfect, with the fresh mixed berries giving sweet zings of flavour to the tart yogurt. While the pastries weren’t our first choices (I’d usually go for a pain au chocolat, and Alec a plain crossant), they were delicious. The apple danish was flaky with big chunks of apple, and the cranberry scone was densely packed with sweet bursts of cranberry.

Cafe Lalo - kid-friendly cafes, NY, via brunchwithmybaby.com

We let Cheese share our dishes—she loved the yogurt and berries most of all.

Cafe Lalo - kid-friendly cafes, NY, via brunchwithmybaby.com

Cafe Lalo is actually known for two things—desserts (they have over 100 whole cakes, pies and tarts available), and for a famous scene in the movie “You’ve Got Mail“, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. As such, it’s always packed, either with lovers of sweets like myself, or busloads of tourists—who showed up at just the same time we did that day. The tourists mostly stayed in the front of the cafe to order a dessert to go, so it wasn’t as obtrusive as you’d expect.

Cafe Lalo - kid-friendly cafes, NY, via brunchwithmybaby.com
Parisian interior.

The interior—with its walls covered in Toulouse Lautrec-esque prints—is charmingly Parisian. If you block out the decidedly non-European voices around you, it’s easy to imagine you’re in a cafe in Paris.

Taking children to Cafe Lalo is a mixed bag. They’re not especially set up for kids, so come prepared for your visit —you’ll need to leave the stroller outside, and be sure to speak up and ask for anything you need for your child.

Last bite: Drop by for a snack or dessert for a touch of Paris on the UWS. Kids are welcome—order them a pastry or share a “Lalo’s Special” for a fun afternoon (or morning) treat.

Stroller storage: You can’t bring your stroller inside, but they’ll store it for you somewhere mysterious under the restaurant.
Easy access: No. Quite a few steps.
Change tables: No. The bathrooms are pretty small.
Kids’ menu: No, but there’s so much to choose from, from bagels and muffins to steamed eggs or homemade waffles.

Cafe Lalo
201 West 83rd St. (between Amsterdam Ave. & Broadway)
New York, NY 10024
Phone: (212) 496-6031
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Thur 8am-2am; Fri 8am-4am; Sat 9am-4am Sun 9am-2am. Holidays until 4am.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan
212 W. 83rd St (between Amsterdam Ave. & Broadway)
New York, NY 10024
Phone: (212) 721-1234
Hours: Sun-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-7pm. Closed Mondays.

Vive la Crepe: Kid-Friendly Cafes, SoHo, New York

Vive La Crepe - kid-friendly cafes, SoHo, New York
Now that Cheese is always on the go and eating out is getting harder, we love to stop by Vive la Crêpe whenever we pass through SoHo. Sometimes we grab a crêpe to go, and sometimes we sit and eat if it’s not busy. Vive la Crepe satisfies all of our needs during this period of our toddler’s life—quick service and tasty food we can easily eat while chasing a dizzyingly fast kid.

Vive La Crepe - kid-friendly cafes, SoHo, New York
Cooking station.

I always order the same savoury crêpe—the Number 3 (Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil, $9). It’s huge, but not massively filling—the perfect meal for when you’re kinda hungry, but not in the mood to eat a heavy meal. The mozzarella is fresh and the batter is just sweet enough without being overly sweet and taking over the other flavours.

Vive La Crepe - kid-friendly cafes, SoHo, New York
Number 3 – Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil, $9

What’s great about a crêpe is that you can eat it with just one hand—either while seated (the luxury!) or while chasing a toddler who looks similar to the disheveled monkey below.

Vive La Crepe - kid-friendly cafes, SoHo, New York
Cheeky monkey.

On this most recent  visit we asked if they could make something for our toddler that was small enough for her to hold and eat by herself (since toddlers are all about being independent). They obliged by making Cheese her own complimentary plain pancake out of the crepe batter.

Vive La Crepe - kid-friendly cafes, SoHo, New York
Complimentary baby crepe.

Cheese loved having her own crepe/pancake to hold and to chew on.

Vive La Crepe - kid-friendly cafes, SoHo, New York

Vive La Crepe - kid-friendly cafes, SoHo, New York
Kid on the run.

Last bite: As always, Vive la Crêpe is a fantastic place to grab quality food if you’re in a hurry and want to eat one-handed, or if you’re in need of a casual, light lunch while out with your kids.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No. There is a small space next to the counter where you can fold a stroller, or if it’s pretty empty inside you can park the stroller next to your table.
Easy access: Yes. One step to get in.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No. But they do take special requests.

Vive La Crepe
51 Spring St. (between Mulberry St. & Lafayette St.)
New York, NY 10012
Price: $
Phone: (646) 484 6897
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-12am, Sun 9am-12am

Get directions.

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