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Rosemary's: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, West Village, NY

October 15, 2013 / Manhattan Munchies, New York Food, West Village / 4 Comments

Freshly grown and picked fare is what you’ll get from Rosemary’s, an Italian restaurant with a rooftop farm in the heart of Greenwich Village. Created by Carlos Suarez, the owner of Bobo, Rosemary’s is named after Suarez’s mother and is inspired by both her home in Lucca (Tuscany) and the rich heritage of the restaurant’s Greenwich Village corner.

Walking into the restaurant I was struck by several things — the sheer size (it’s huge, even by non-NYC-standards!) the natural light (it’s a photographer’s dream), and the friendly hostess who made us feel welcome straight away with her kind words about Cheese, and with how discretely and obligingly she whisked our stroller away for us (STROLLER STORAGE!!).

Executive Chef Wade Moises serves seasonal Italian dishes that highlight the herbs and produce from the rooftop farm above the restaurant, as well as house-made pastas and a selection of focaccia — as an homage to the location’s predecessor, Sutter’s Bakery.

Not only was our offspring welcomed by the staff with big smiles, she was also handed a Lorax-themed coloring sheet, a children’s menu, and Crayola crayons (as opposed to the generic kind most restaurants offer, that don’t actually color when you try and use them). Fancy!

The food was delicious. Collectively, our table ordered the following: Salmone (smoked salmon on toasted focaccia, with mascarpone and lemon jam, $12), Orecchiette (broccoli rabe, homemade sausage, $14), Pollo Orosto (roasted half chicken, egg salad, asparagus, spring onion, spring onion, lemon, garlic crostino $20), Frittata (vegetables, herbs, stracchino cheese, $12), and the Caprese Focaccia (mozzarella, tomato, basil, $7) for Cheese. My frittata was a bit of a letdown — it was cold and not that remarkable.

I ended up carb-loading on the caprese focaccia instead. The focaccia was nice and salty and olive oily, the cheese was mild and light. Cheese wasn’t a fan, even though she usually loves all things bread — instead she ate a few Plum Organics baby food pouches (there’s no accounting for toddler taste). Side bar: Does anyone else’s toddler have a baby food pouch addiction?! It’s getting expensive and really frustrating over here . . . especially when we are going to the effort of trying to expose her to new tastes and cuisines.

Eating out with Cheese has been a hit-and-miss experience of late. The big question looming over every meal: Will she sit long enough for us to eat, or will we take turns entertaining her and eating? This meal we got lucky. Even though she didn’t want to eat the food, she loved coloring with the pack Rosemary’s provided, and, when that lost its appeal, there was always our best friend, the iPhone. Her current favourite thing to do is surf YouTube for Disney collector egg videos. Yes, it’s a thing. A very weird thing.

Upstairs is the rooftop garden. It’s great for little ones to climb up the stairs and run around in the sun while you’re waiting for your table or food. While the veggie patch is probably a hit with the older kids, Cheese is more into stairs (up, down, up down!) and trying to climb over the balcony edges. I’d like to say it was an educational experience, but in reality, it was more about trying to take super-cute pictures and preventing Cheese from injuring herself.

The metal chicken with flowers was a particular hit. “Bock bock bock!”.

Our meal wound to an end and we took Cheese for one last run in the garden before heading off to our next destination. As far as meals with a toddler go, it was pretty relaxing, thanks to the welcoming staff and easy-going atmosphere. We often feel harried after a whirlwind meal with Cyclone Cheese, but this dining experience was remarkably stress-free, and everyone, including the toddler who hates sitting down, left in a strangely cheery mood. I’d like to thank Rosemary’s for this happy dining experience.

Last bite: Rosemary’s delivers a delicious and relaxing dining experience featuring extremely fresh ingredients from their roof-top farm, and is great for parents looking for a hip eatery, without the snobby atmosphere.

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

Rosemary’s
18 Greenwich Ave (between Charles St & 10th St)
New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 647-1818
Prices: $$$
Hours: Breakfast, weekdays from 8am-11:30am; Lunch, weekdays from noon-4:30pm; Brunch, weekends from 11:30am-4:30pm; Dinner, daily, 5pm – midnight

The Weir Café: Kid-Friendly Cafe, Audley, Sutherland Shire

September 29, 2013 / Audley, Sutherland, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Living on the doorstep of one of Sydney’s amazing National Parks is a gift we don’t take advantage of enough, and with a recently updated kid-friendly café set in the most beautiful natural settings this is definitely something we will start doing more often. The Weir Café is a lively eating spot for Shire locals and tourists with table space at a premium on a sunny Spring day. Fortunately we arrived early enough to secure a table on the edge of the park and went about reviewing the breakfast (brunch) menu.

The Weir Café in its beautiful setting. Photo by Katia Barker

Bacon was on order for both Ross & I, with Ross choosing the Bacon & Egg Sandwich ($12.50) with a side of Chorizo Sausage ($4.50) and I opted for the BLAT ($15.00). Jenson nibbled his way through Raisin Toast ($5.90) with his drink of choice Banana Milkshake ($3.70), and with two coffees ($3.70 each) we were set.

Jenson was not in the mood to sit quietly or patiently this morning, so I took him for a wander around the park whilst Ross entertained our little lady (who ate her food, plus some of my brunch, and half of Jenson’s toast). The park area is fantastic for picnics and groups were setting up for parties and D.I.Y lunches. The Weir Café also offers picnic hampers if you are wanting to spoil yourself and let someone else do the hard work.

Jenson at Play. Photo by Ross Barker

The food arrived promptly and we tucked in. My BLAT was generous and tasty with a sneaky kick of garlic aioli, and Ross devoured his Bacon & Egg sandwich with a nod of approval. We agreed that both meals were good value and would definitely order again. Whilst there is no specific kids’ menu for breakfast you can order individual items to cater for smaller appetites, and there is a small kids’ menu for lunch (all $10.00 each).

BLAT ($15.00). Photo by Katia Barker

Bacon & Egg Sandwich ($12.50) with Chorizo ($4.50). Photo by Katia Barker

Feeding frenzy with the kids, Isla demanding more! Photo by Katia Barker

It would have been nice to sit back and order a second coffee and take in the scenery however the little people had other ideas and so we packed up once the last bite was gone and spent time exploring nature instead. Fortunately there was no waiting around for the servers at The Weir Café as you order and pay at the same time which is a good move when the little people say “let’s go!”.

Special times with the family. Photo by Ross Barker

Last Bite: The Weir Café is a unique, kid-friendly café set in a stunning location that is well worth the extra effort to take a trip and visit. Although you pay an $11.00 entry fee to the National Park there is enough to do for a whole days’ worth of fun, including hiring a canoe, kayak or paddle boat or various bush walks. Don’t forget to pack the scooter / bike / frizbee!

Highchairs: Yes
Stroller Storage: Yes
Easy Access: Yes
Change Tables: No
Kids Menu: Yes

The Weir Cafe
Lady Carrington Drive,
Audley, NSW
Phone: 02 9542 6222
Price: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am – 7pm
Get Directions

Post Box Café: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Yowie Bay, Sutherland Shire

September 23, 2013 / Sutherland, Sydney, Sydney Food, Yowie Bay / 0 comment

Tucked away in the quiet suburb of Yowie Bay, Post Box Café is somewhat of an institution with locals and for good reason. The food is delicious, the coffee is one of the best found in the Sutherland Shire and the staff welcome everyone with a smile – especially those with kids!

Post box - kid-friendly restaurants, Newtown, NSW- via brunchwithmybaby.com — Isla relaxing in front of Post Box Café. *Photo by Katia Barker.*

On a sunny Sunday morning Jenson, Isla and I took a walk up to Post Box Café (did I mention it was also my local?) to enjoy a lazy morning tea and allow Jenson to let of some steam in their play area. We parked ourselves on the grass area whilst the locals filled up the tables inside and out with a gusto. Parking is a premium and a revolving door of those stopping in to grab and go, and those situated for a long, lazy brunch. We quickly ordered (coffee $3.80 and a passionfruit slice $2.50 for me, banana milkshake $3.00 and cinnamon toast $5.00 for Jenson) and before I had paid our drinks were ready.

Post box cafe - kid-friendly restaurants, Sutherland, NSW- via brunchwithmybaby.com — Jenson and his signature ‘Banana Milkshake’ $3.00 *Photo by Katia Barker.*

Jenson went about exploring the assorted toys and equipment which are in fair condition – (read – all are a little broken but still entertaining nevertheless) whilst Isla made her way over to the water bowl supplied for our four-legged friends and proceeded to tip it out before I could catch her. Being a sunny morning we weren’t in a rush to disappear, however Isla made it known when enough was enough and I called a reluctant Jenson back so we could meander back home.

Post Box Café does not slow down during the week, and bookings are recommended for lunch and all day on weekends, otherwise ordering take-away and sitting on the grassy verge is pleasant. Kids are also catered for in wet weather, with colouring in books, magazines and textas also supplied. The menu is full of appetising options for both kids and adults and they offer daily specials if you are after something a little different to standard café fare.

Last Bite: Post Box Café is a fun, kid-friendly café who have put thought in to catering to the little ones. A gem of Yowie Bay that the local’s treasure and those out of suburb wish was on their front door. If you haven’t checked this one out yet put it on your must-visit list!

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes, outside there is plenty of room, indoors could be tight
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: Yes, the menu is great for young and old(er)

Post Box Café
46a Attunga Rd, Yowie Bay, NSW, 2228
Phone: 02 9531 5659
Price: $-$$
Hours: Monday – Sunday 8am – 4pm (approximately)
Get Directions

Flowercino: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Caringbah, Sutherland Shire, Sydney

September 7, 2013 / Caringbah, Sutherland, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

The combination of a florist and café, Flowercino is a perfect mix for a stunning little café in the heart of Sutherland Shire. With added quirky elements such as the hanging display of pots and pans, and the veggie garden out back there is something for even the most discerning little foodie to enjoy.

Flowercino- kid-friendly restaurants, Caringbah, NSW- via brunchwithmybaby.com — Jenson exploring the garden area at Flowercino. *Photo by Katia Barker*

Arriving on a warm morning we were still in time for the breakfast menu which offers both sweet and savoury options. We quickly claimed the shadiest table out in the garden before making our selections. The locals seemed to have made residence at the shop front, giving the café a buzzing vibe, whereas the back garden is the place to be for visitors with children, or those needing a little extra space (or prefer the pleasant view over to Castlenau Park).

After we placed our order Jenson went about exploring the herb gardens, mismatched garden furniture and chalk board for budding artists to create their masterpieces whilst waiting for the food to arrive. I ordered the Turkish with bacon, egg, tomato & avocado ($9.50) whilst Ross went for the specialty of Turkish with Za’atar, baked eggs, spinach, smoked ham and tomato ($12.50) and personally I think I won as my meal was delicious, very generous and excellent value. Jenson insisted on having a sandwich before we left home so didn’t order a meal, although there are plenty of child-friendly options from toast, muesli, sweet breads and bacon and eggs to choose from. Instead a mini milkshake ($3.00) and tea-cup biscuit ($4.00) were his selections.

Drinks are served in take-away friendly cups for customers who are sitting in the garden, perhaps for safety – however a brilliant decision in case you need to make a quick exit to prevent or manage a mini meltdown. Thankfully both Jenson and Isla were well behaved and Ross and I managed to finish our drinks (banana smoothie $5.90 and iced coffee $4.50) without a mad dash.

A promise of a play at Castlenau Park afterwards was suffice for Jenson to maintain his composure throughout brunch although he did prefer standing on his chair rather than sitting, well you win some you lose some!

Last Bite: Flowercino is a quaint kid-friendly café offering great value food and service, welcoming to families with delightful staff, tucked away in suburban Caringbah. The added bonus of being located near an excellent park also helps appease active little people!

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage:Yes, plenty of room in the garden, inside the shop might be a squeeze.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No, but plenty of easy options to choose from

Flowercino
487a Port Hacking Road
Caringbah, NSW 2229
Phone: 02 9531 7435
Price: $-$$
Hours:
Mon-Thur: 5:30am-5:30pm, Fri 5:30am-6pm, Sat 5:30am-4pm, Sun 6am-2pm
Get Directions

Wahwah Lounge: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Waterloo, Sydney

July 23, 2013 / Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, Sydney Food, Waterloo / 0 comment

Wahwah Lounge is one heck of a baby-friendly cafe. From the super cozy booths to the staff who treat your baby like a rock star, not to mention the yummy food, Wahwah Lounge in Waterloo is an easy, breezy place to brunch.

At Wahwah Lounge, the best place for containing a baby is in one of their cosy corner booths, which is where the friendly staff suggested we sit upon arrival. With Baby Lukas leaning over our booth and making friends with the people in the next one over (even the other patrons seem to love babies!), we ordered our food.

Wahwah Lounge - kid-friendly restaurants, Waterloo, NSW- via brunchwithmybaby.com — Baby Lukas making friends in one of the booths. *Photo by Emily Staresina.*

Wahwah Lounge has an awesome all-day brunch menu, and does staples like poached eggs, really well. This time around, I ordered their Free Range Eggs (poached) with Soy Linseed Toast ($10.50), and a cheeky side of bacon. Lorin ordered the French Toast with Maple Syrup, Strawberries and Crème Fraiche ($12.50), which I have to say, was also a very smart choice.

Wahwah Lounge - kid-friendly restaurants, Sydney, NSW- via brunchwithmybaby.com — Wahwah Lounge – Poached eggs on soy linseed toast ($10.50). Photo by Emily Staresina.

Stuck into our food, it wasn’t until several mouthfuls later that we realised Baby Lukas was “drinking” (also know as “seriously leaking”) milk from his sippy cup, and it was going all over the clean upholstered booth. Now, not only did the staff not fuss when they saw (after I frantically and apologetically asked for napkins), but they told us not to give it a second thought as these things happen, and that’s why they have regular cleanings scheduled. Far more forgiving than they should have been, WalWah truly is a baby-friendly place.

Despite nearly destroying the joint, Baby Lukas got several high-fives from the staff on the way out.

Last bite: If you’re looking for a no-fuss, no-stress outing with solid food and where Baby will be treated like royalty (even if they’re a bit naughty), Wahwah Lounge in Waterloo should be your next brunch destination.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Not really. Small strollers are ok.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No. But lots for kiddies to choose from.

Wahwah Lounge
1 Danks Street
Waterloo, NSW 2017
Phone: (02) 9699 3456
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-5pm, Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 8am-3pm
Get Directions

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

July 1, 2013 / Chelsea, Manhattan Munchies, New York Food / 0 comment

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).

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

Kitchen By Mike: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Rosebery, Sydney

June 15, 2013 / Eastern Suburbs, Roseberry, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Kitchen By Mike is a baby-friendly brunch find. In fact, it’s a Saturday morning staple with my family. It’s such a great little find that I almost don’t want to share it. Almost.

This Saturday morning, like all Saturdays, Baby Lukas and I rocked up to Kitchen By Mike’s to meet my husband, Lorin, his cycling mates, and his cycling mates’ partners and children. The place is an old warehouse, so not only is it large enough to accommodate a dozen prams, it also fits all the mens’ bicycles and related gear.

After a quick trip to the counter to order food, Baby Lukas and I made our way over to join our over-spandexed men who were sitting at one of the large share tables. The share tables are great and almost ensure that you can always find a place to sit. Plus, you pay for your food and drink on ordering, which makes for quick getaways (necessary when Baby Lukas nuclear reacts mid-way through brunch, a common event).

Kitchen By Mike - Kid-friendly restaurants, Roseberry, Sydney, via brunchwithmybaby.com — Ordering food

What really makes Kitchen By Mike a great place to brunch is that the food is fantastic. The menu is simple but the ingredients and combinations are mouth-watering. Try the Eggs Benedict: it will redefine (and potentially spoil, in a good way) the dish for you. At the very least it will keep you coming back for more. Today even Baby Lukas tried to get into his dad’s hollandaise sauce when I wasn’t looking. If sweets such as pancakes are your thing, try the Sourdough Pancakes with Lemon Curd. It’s a foodies delight.

The food comes out quickly, but for impatient toddlers, there’s a shop adjacent to the café, which sells very cool Koskela housing décor, and includes a kids’ area for play. Well, at least I think it’s for play. No one ever tells us not to play there, and today was no different. It’s also a great place to take out-of-towners. They’ll be very impressed!

Today, Baby Lukas was a model baby: no quick exit was needed, and we were able to enjoy our meals at our leisure. On our way out, I saw someone else being served the Eggs Benny, and the only thought I had in my head was “can’t wait until next Saturday!”.

Last bite: If you’re looking for a go-to baby- and toddler-friendly brunch place that serves delicious food, has easy parking a big space for kids to play, Kitchen By Mike is the go.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes. There’s a ramp. Street parking is also easy.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: No.

Kitchen By Mike
85 Dunning Ave
Roseberry, NSW 2018
Phone: (02) 9280 0999
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm
Get Directions

The Grounds of Alexandria: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Alexandria, Sydney

June 10, 2013 / Alexandria, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Food / 0 comment

The Grounds of Alexandria is about as kid-friendly a place to eat as you can get: in addition to its indoor dining, there’s a large outdoor garden area with lots of space for prams and careening toddlers. Oh and there’s a pig. Called Kevin Bacon.

The Grounds, as the locals affectionately call it, is an oasis in the inner city known for its coffee (they’ve got a research and testing facility on site) and sustainable food practices (they grow their own herbs and seasonal produce). It’s more a destination spot than just a restaurant, café and bakery. And did I mention they’ve got a pig? Kevin Bacon.

On a gorgeously sunny winter day, I ventured out with Baby Lukas to meet a friend for lunch at The Grounds.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Baby Lukas has been known to nuclear react at this time of day, and The Grounds is perfect for this potential situation: the amazing rustic outdoor garden, nestled amongst produce grown for the café, means that screaming, misbehaving and bored children blend into the scenery instead of standing out. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore, including a gym for kids. Oh, and did I mention the pig Kevin Bacon?

The Grounds of Alexandria: Kid-Friendly restaurants in Alexandria, via brunchwithmybaby.com — Many places for kids to explore

Once you get over the gorgeousness of the place, the takeaway menu (only available to those eating in the garden) presents mouth-watering options. On today’s outing, I chose a Chicken Burger with Chips, and I can’t recommend this unique burger enough. Don’t ask questions, just order it. You won’t be disappointed.

Baby Lukas kindly waited until I had shoved a few bites into my mouth before deciding to nuclear react, which is about when I played my trump card: off to visit Kevin Bacon. The pig. Needless to say, it worked a treat. Lukas was smitten and I was able to shove the rest of my delicious meal in my face. Happy ending indeed.

Now the one thing I would recommend is getting there early. The Grounds attracts the hordes, and even though the outdoor area is large enough to almost always find a place to sit, the queues for ordering food can be daunting.

Last bite: If you’re looking for a kid-friendly eatery and destination that offers more than just food and excellent coffee on the menu, The Grounds is the place to be.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: No. Lots for kids to eat off the menu, though!

The Grounds of Alexandria
Building 7A, N0.2 Huntley St
Alexandria, NSW 2015
Phone: (02) 9699 2225
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am-4pm

The Chalkboard Cafe: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Waterloo, Sydney

June 9, 2013 / Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Food, Waterloo / 0 comment

The Chalkboard Cafe is a baby-friendly gem amongst the hectic café scene near the bustling Danks Street in Waterloo. Integrated into the home interiors stores featured in the PYD building, the café is a trendy place to brunch.

The Chalkboard Cafe: Kid-Friendly restaurants in Waterloo, via brunchwithmybaby.com — The trendy interior, featuring furniture for sale

This afternoon my husband Lorin and I decided to take Baby Lukas there for a feed. Living quite literally around the corner from this baby-friendly find, we freehand-ported Baby Lukas, though the large space can fit multiple prams. In fact, it’s ideal for mothers groups for this very reason.

As soon as we got there, Baby Lukas required a nappy change (I think he planned it). There’s a change table on the second floor, which is a little cumbersome to get to but a set of stairs or a slow lift will assist.

Once Baby Lukas was sorted, we sat him down on a large square table (quite literally). The staff quickly offered us a highchair but were perfectly content if we just let him play on the table. Because let’s face it: Baby Lukas doesn’t do highchairs. Now, I should point out that this is very nice (naive?) of the staff because most of the furniture in the café is for sale from the stores in the building.

The menu has a great selection of all-day brunch items as well as sandwiches, salads and soups. I ate a delicious Crispy Chicken plate, comprising deep friend tenders with chili sauce, a tortilla and a side salad. Lorin scored a surprisingly Canadian affair of Brioche French Toast with bacon rashers, maple syrup and carmalised bananas. We were both pleased with our meals.

While we ate, we were visited by several staff who kept Baby Lukas happily occupied. On cue, about five bites before I would consider my meal finished, Baby Lukas started fussing, his low-grade, pre-banshee warning siren. Considering he hadn’t soiled or broken anything, it was high time to make an exit before he de-charmed the staff.

Last bite: If you’re looking for a baby-friendly café with lots of space for prams in the bustle that is trendy Danks Street in Waterloo, The Chalkboard Cafe is the go.

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

The Chalkboard Cafe
197 Young St
Waterloo, NSW 2017
Phone: (02) 9698 2553
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-4pm, Thurs-Fri 5pm-9pm

Best Restaurants near the American Museum of Natural History

May 21, 2013 / Eat & Explore, Manhattan Munchies, Museums & Galleries, Upper West Side / 2 Comments

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