kid friendly new york Archives

kid friendly new york

11 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in NYC That Adults Will Enjoy Too

June 18, 2019 / New York, New York Food / 0 comment

New York is a city to eat your way through, one cronut at a time. It’s also the perfect spot to introduce junior diners to the finer things in life, such as ramen burgers and artisan cannolis, not to mention some of the best pizza money can buy. Enjoy your next foodie outing at one of these kid-friendly restaurants in NYC where the food is so good, you’d happily visit sans kid!

11 Kid-Friendly Restaurants In NYC That Adults Will Enjoy Too

Rosemary’s

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. Rosemary’s is a large restaurant where they have space to stash strollers and a rooftop garden for little ones to stroll around while waiting for food to arrive. Take them to the veggie patch to identify what’s on their plate! Kids are also offered colouring sheets and crayons on arrival. Rosemary’s is one of the best kid-friendly restaurants in NYC.

Read more about Rosemary’s here.
18 Greenwich Ave, New York

Balthazar

The famous French bistro in SoHo loves children (even the Cheerio-tossing kind). The friendly staff happily pick up dropped cutlery over and over again (even with a grin on their faces!) and bring out fresh slices of house-made bread for kids to gnaw on. The dining room is squishy to the highest degree (hello their neighbour!), so take wriggly little ones downstairs when they need a break. Let them climb into the plush armchairs outside the restrooms and make sure you snap a pic to ‘Gram the occasion: “Baby’s First Balthazar!”.

Read more about Balthazar here.
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

Brooklyn Farmacy - kid-friendly restaurants, Carroll Gardens, NYC — The perfect grilled cheese.

This beautifully restored 1920s pharmacy in Carroll Gardens is home to one of the best grilled cheeses in New York. The friendly, hip staff offer kids long pretzel sticks to gnaw on at the counter while waiting on their egg creams and malted shakes. There are plenty of quirks to love at the Farmacy, including their single high chair that may also date back to the 1920s. Strollers can be parked at the tables or left at the front door. Order grilled cheese for everyone! Brooklyn Farmacy is an absolute must-visit, and is always a top choice for a kid-friendly restaurants in NYC.

Read more about Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain here.
513 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Sugar and Plumm

With decor and a menu right out of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Sugar and Plumm is a visual delight that will please adults and kids alike. They have all the usual kid-friendly necessities (kids’ menu, high chairs, change table, stroller storage, special cups and crayons for kids), plus a gift shop that will induce a sugar high just by looking at it. The restaurant is popular so on busy weekends, order takeaway and eat at the communal table at the front of the restaurant.

Read more about Sugar and Plumm here.
377 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Table 87 Coal Oven Pizza

Some of the best pizza in Brooklyn can be found at Table 87, as it’s often called by the locals. This cosy pizzeria treats their customers like extended family members, welcoming its youngest customers with kind smiles and giant slices of pizza (sold by the pie or by the slice) dripping with house-made mozzarella. They’ll offer to cut up your slice into little bite-size pieces for the kids, too. After chowing down on their speciality margherita pizza or calzone, take the kids to run off steam at the playroom in the nearby Moxie Spot or take a stroll through Brooklyn Bridge Park. Walk down Atlantic Avenue to the playgrounds at Pier 5, then north to Brooklyn Bridge for a calorie-burning stroll with a view. Pizza is always a good choice for kids, making this one of my fave options for kid-friendly restaurants in NYC.

table87coalovenpizza.com
87 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Lucali

The legendary pizza at Lucali is worth waiting for, even with kids in tow. DO what the website suggests to minimise the wait. Show up before 5. Put your name on the list. Go for a walk. They’ll call you when your table is ready. Lucali serves thin-crust pizza to die for and is popular with locals as well as celebs. They are also kid-friendly, which isn’t surprising for a pizza joint. When we visited they gave our miss a piece of pizza dough to make her own “pizza” while we waited for our order to arrive. Kids can also watch their dinner being made. Diners can bring their own wine and beer, and the restaurant is cash only.

lucalibrooklyn.com
575 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY

Bareburger

Enjoy healthy burgers and fries at this restaurant chain where the ingredients are organic and free of pesticides and hormones. Bareburger is perfect for picky eaters with their build-your-own-burger option and the Cubby Menu provides healthy options for kids, like the quinoa veggie burger with apple slices. The menu can be coloured in with the crayons provided.

bareburger.com
Various locations

Sarabeth’s Tribeca

We love all the Sarabeth’s, but our fave is the Tribeca branch. Sarabeth’s is an elegant restaurant, the kind you would have dined at pre-kids, with the right amount of trendiness and kid-friendly atmosphere to make this a firm family-fave in Manhattan. Adults love their “Extraordinary Eggs And Omelettes” and the kids can’t get enough of the fresh pastries. Sarabeth’s also takes reservations, which makes for a super easy dining experience with no queues in sight. The Tribeca Sarabeth’s is right across the road from the gorgeous Washington Market Playground and close to the Hudson River Greenway pedestrian and bike path.

Read more about Sarabeth’s Tribeca
339 Greenwich St, New York

Read more about Sarabeth’s West
423 Amsterdam Ave, New York

Alice’s Tea Cup

Kids are welcomed at the door with their own pair of fairy wings to borrow for the occasion and a sprinkling of pixie dust, which sets the scene for the dining experience to follow. Tiny diners will love the $20 Wee Tea at Alice’s Tea Cup which includes a small pot of herbal or fruit tea (or any other beverage), one scone, any item from the Menu for the Small and the White Rabbit dark chocolate mousse. Their scones are an absolute must to try! The Alice-inspired illustrations on the walls are divine – make sure to visit the bathrooms to see them all. Kids are also given a little item to play with – on our visit it was Wix Stix. So thoughtful!

alicesteacup.com
102 W 73rd St, New York
156 E 64th St, New York

Dylan’s Candy Bar

The world’s largest confectionary emporium and lifestyle brand, Dylan’s Candy Bar is a real-life candytopia. The original flagship location on New York City’s Upper East Side features three floors of delicious treats, including a cafe on the top floor. The cafe has candy-inspired decor, including oversized cupcake booths, and well-priced, delicious food, both savoury and sweet.

Read more about Dylan’s Candy Bar
1011 Third Ave (at 60th St.) New York

The Plaza Hotel

A rawther fancy way to enjoy a day in New York City is with the Eloise afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel. The Eloise Afternoon Tea is served on exquisite china that has been hand-painted for The Plaza Hotel. It can be purchased from the gift shop downstairs if you want to take home a special souvenir. The afternoon tea includes sandwiches, savouries, scones, pastries and a big ball of pink cotton candy, plus the option to order a pink lemonade.

Read more about the Eloise afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel, 768 5th Ave, New York

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The Best of New York City for Kids: Children’s Museum of the Arts

September 26, 2016 / Indoor Play, Museums & Galleries, New York, New York Life / 4 Comments

Little artists will love New York’s Children’s Museum of the Arts, a hands-on art museum dedicated to engaging kids aged 10 months-15 years. While the museum runs many hands-on programs throughout the year, we just love to drop by for a creative day out whenever we are in town.

So what’s there to do?

Explore the current exhibition in the Gallery and join in exhibit-themed workshops.

In the Media Lab, learn how to animate or watch a short film made by CMA students.

Mould a scene from your imagination at the very popular Clay Bar (ages 5 and over).

Upon request, record a song, speech, or score a soundtrack in the Sound Booth (only available on Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday).

Kids under five can get messy with art materials in the WEE Arts early childhood studio.

Head to the Fine Arts Studio is to paint, draw, sculpt, or sew an original masterpiece.

What you need to know before you go:

The Clay Bar is one of the most popular stations so sign up for a 35 minutes session as soon as you arrive then check out the other areas of the museum while you wait for your time slot.

The WEE Arts Studio for kids under five is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12-3:30pm Thursday, 12-6pm, and weekends from 10am-5pm. The studio is also open for WEE Arts Drop in sessions when the museum is closed to the public every Monday through Friday from 10:45 AM – 12 PM and Wednesday from 1:45-3 PM.

Prepare to get messy! While there are smocks provided, dress your child in clothes that they can get paint on.

Children’s Museum of the Arts
103 Charlton St, New York, NY 10014
Online
Hours: Mondays: 12-5 PM
Tuesdays & Wednesdays: WEE Arts Drop In Classes* ONLY ( for ages 5 & under, see below)
Thursdays & Fridays: 12-6 PM
Saturdays & Sundays: 10 AM-5 PM
Prices: $12 per person
Get Directions

12 Ways To Entertain Kids In Central Park: Best of NYC for Kids

October 4, 2015 / Eat & Explore, New York, New York Life, Outdoor Play / 2 Comments

Central Park is one of the best places for families to enjoy in NYC. In every season, the park is endlessly entertaining for kids of all ages, from itty bitty babies who are content to sit in their strollers and look at leaves, to busy preschoolers who can’t sit still, and tweens and teens who are beginning to take an interest in history.

Tips on making the most of your day in Central Park:

Bring a picnic lunch or lots of snacks. There aren’t many places to buy food in the park apart from hot dog vendors. If you’re entering from the south end of the park, you can pick up a delicious picnic lunch from Whole Foods at Columbus Circle. For reasonably priced food within the park, Pain de Quotidien on 69th street has light lunch and snacks. If you’re after a bit of a nicer meal, drop by Tavern On The Green at 67th street or the Loeb Boathouse.
Pack plenty of water for the same reason.
Pick up a physical map or download one to your phone. Even if you have internet on your phone, it’s hard to get in the park, making it easy to get lost.
Note bathroom locations before entering the park – they are also few and far between.
In summer, pack water shoes and swim suits as many of the playgrounds have water features.
Wear comfortable shoes and pack sunscreen and a hat.
Don’t take a carriage ride around the park without reading up on the animal welfare concerns surrounding these horses.
Bring a picnic blanket – like one of these Skip Hop blankets that zip all the way around.
Remember small and light toys like a ball or frisbee.

What to see and do
Wander the bridges.

Spot wildlife (go looking for turtles at Bethesda Terrace and Belvedere Castle).

Playgrounds! There are 16 to discover.

Climb rocks. This alone can keep your child busy most of a day.

Visit Alice and climb her like many generations of New York kids.

Ride the carousel. It’s super fast, so hold on!

Pat animals at the Tisch Children’s Zoo.

Listen to buskers at the Bethesda Terrace.

Row a boat around the lake.

Throw a frisbee in the Sheep Meadow.

Visit the angel on the Bethesda Fountain that has featured in too many movies to mention.

Snap selfies with cherry blossoms around the Obelisk and the Reservoir.

Looking for more things to do in NYC with kids?

Brass Monkey: Kid-friendly Restaurants, Meatpacking District, New York

January 21, 2015 / Manhattan Munchies, Meatpacking / 0 comment

On a dreary but not-too-cold day, we made our way to Brass Monkey in the Meatpacking District to celebrate a dear friend’s birthday. We walked past packed brunch spots like Pastis, and I was concerned that we were going to have to fight for a table.

I don’t know if it was the sad weather that put people off, but Brass Monkey was practically empty when we arrived. We were able to grab a table on the rooftop deck big enough to fit the 14 members of the party, and spread out with all the space we had.

As the afternoon wore on, the tables slowly filled up, but it was never packed to the point of the famous neighbours downstairs. In fact, when it started to rain, we were able to find empty tables enough to fit our remaining part of eight on both the floors below.

Speaking of floors – there are three. The main floor entrance, with a bar, tables and chairs, the middle floor with a second bar, booths and small tables and chairs, and the rooftop. There’s no lift, so if you’re planning to take kids to the middle level or rooftop, pack light and bring a folding stroller. One thing’s for sure, you’ll burn off at least half of the food you’re about to consume.

Brass Monkey serves upmarket bar food. It has a brunch menu with a twist, including items like the Egg Scramble Wrap (scrambled eggs with spinach, tomato and cheddar, served with homefries) and Maine Lobster Roll, served with old bay chips. You can also try the Full Irish Breakfast (two eggs, any style, sausage, bacon, black pudding, white pudding, beans and toast).

On a sunny day the rooftop deck get crowded fast. It has a less pub-like ambiance, with little pot plants embedded in the walls, and a creates an interesting juxtapositioning of old and new, being right next to the Standard Hotel and High Line.

Our food arrived pretty quickly for a party of 14. Everything was well cooked to order, including the meal which was altered to suit a gluten-intolerant diner. My Egg Scramble Wrap was delicious. A big wedge of egg, wrapped in spinach, tomato and cheese. What combination could be better?

We couldn’t find any high chairs, so we balanced Cheese on our laps, then chased her around the deck when she got bored. The sweet potato fries we ordered entertained her for a while, then I resorted to letting her pick the ice out of my empty glass.

The staff were efficient, but not overly friendly. They gave us what we needed, and kept out of our hair. No special concessions were made for kids, but it was a very welcoming environment, and we didn’t feel awkard about having our rowdy toddler with us. Several more toddlers arrived as we were leaving, so we clearly weren’t the only people seeking a quieter option for lunch or brunch on a Saturday.

Last bite: For bar food with a twist – and a great view, grab a table on the rooftop deck, order a drink, and relax in the sun.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Yes – as long as it’s not super busy, there’s plenty of room for strollers.
Easy access: Yes, to main floor.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Brass Monkey
55 Little West 12th St
New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 675-6686
Hours: Daily, 12pm-4am
Prices: $
Cuisine: Bar food

Essex: Where Brunch Includes 3 Cocktails; LES, New York

September 7, 2014 / Lower East Side, Manhattan Munchies, New York Food / 2 Comments

When wanting to book a large table in NYC, your options are limited. For a friend’s birthday with a party of nine, we tried out Essex, a restaurant on the Lower East side with a modern, chic design, lots of natural light and a great value-for-money brunch menu.

The brunch menu is a fixed price, $23.95 for your entree plus three bloody marys, screwdrivers or mimosas. They’re quite liberal with the drinks, particularly mimosas, and several members of our party think they actually ended up with four each. The drinks aren’t super strong, which is good when you’re drinking that many cocktails at noon …

We were seated at our table even though we were waiting on the last two guests. The restaurant quickly filled up — clearly word has gotten around that this is a good brunch bet.

While there wasn’t a kids’ menu, we ordered sides off the menu for Missy E (French Fries and Fresh Fruit) straight away while everyone else decided on their order. Her dishes arrived quickly — two generous servings which we helped her with.

Our party ordered a variety of dishes: Challah French Toast (bananas foster sauce, fresh fruit), Baked Eggs (crisp black forest ham, roasted peppers, shitake mushrooms, Monterey jack), Omelet (spinach, tomato, sheep’s milk cheese with mixed green salad and home fries), Short Rib Hash (two eggs any style, duck fat potatoes), Grilled Shrimp & Avocado Salad (poached egg, baby spinach, pico de gallo).

The meals were all a great portion size, with generous amounts of fresh ingredients. My omelet was delicious, filled with tasty cheese and tomatoes, and slightly spicy home fries. The French toast “tastes better than it looks!”, and the baked eggs xxxx.

Our server wove in and out of diners with a large jug of mimosas, topping up glasses as soon as they were empty.

Last bite: A great brunch spot for large groups, especially those wanting mimosas with their eggs.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes (folding strollers are best).
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Essex
120 Essex St,
New York, NY
Phone: (212) 533 9616
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm Sun 10am-6pm
Get Directions
Reservations

An Upper West Side Standard: Isabella's, UWS, New York

July 24, 2014 / Manhattan Munchies, New York Food, Upper West Side / 0 comment

Isabella’s has been our go-to restaurant of choice when we visit the American Museum of Natural History for the past two years. It’s a truly delightful combination — fuel up on really delicious food, then hit up the dinosaurs and then Central Park. We’ve been taking Missy E to Isabella’s since she was about 6 months old. Taking her as an almost 3 year old means we really get to enjoy all the kid-friendliness this restaurant has to offer.

Isabella’s is popular. It has a great reputation for a reason — it’s REALLY good. As such, you need a strategy to get a table with minimal wait on a weekend. Arriving when they open is one option, or after the first rush is over, at around midday. If you arrive after 1pm, forget it. The wait is pretty long. (Isabella’s takes reservations, but not for brunch.)

We took E to see a new dinosaur exhibition at the AMNH during the early members hours, and then to Isabella’s for late breakfast. After a short wait, we sat at our table, and were greeted by a friendly staff member bearing a “welcome pack” for our toddler. The pack contains crayons, some cool sticky stick things and a kids’ menu that doubles as a coloring page. We ordered her a Bagel with Cream Cheese ($4) and asked for one of their complimentary straw cups for kids filled with water.

I always order the same thing — the Goat Cheese Omelette with marinated tomatoes and basil ($14). It comes with home fries, which I swap out for regular fries. E loves to pick at a lot of different foods, so this way she eats a decent amount of omelette, fries and bagel. She adores cream cheese. Alec ordered the Classic Breakfast Sandwich (scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, $15). On Sundays, brunch includes a beverage of choice, so we had our bellinis included. Cheers to that!

Last Bite: Isabella’s is a hit with the whole family. Adults love the elegant atmosphere (without the snootiness) and absolutely delicious food, while kids are happy being well attended to and given new things to play with.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes. Bring a folding stroller though, as during rush hour, you’ll struggle to find a place for anything bigger.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

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

Jack’s Wife Freda: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, SoHo, New York

May 26, 2014 / Manhattan Munchies, New York Food, SoHo / 0 comment

On what can only be called a crazy whim, we decided to brunch at Jack’s Wife Freda on an early spring morning. The wait for this restaurant is always out of control. We put our name down and went shopping during the hour and a half it took for our table to free up. The restaurant is absolutely tiny, and the tables are small and squished together. Not much room for baby stuff, so pack light and be prepared to leave the stroller outside.

What the restaurant lacks in certain kid-friendly accommodations, it makes up for in its friendly atmosphere: The staff were incredibly friendly (our server was a fellow Aussie!) and obligingly gave Missy E crayons to color in with, as well as a really cool pop out 3D elephant puzzle that entertained her for the majority of the time we were there.

There is a reason people line up for hours to get in: The food is absolutely delicious. The dishes are small, so order a few sides if you’ve been waiting for a while for your table. We ordered the Soft Boiled Eggs with Soldiers ($7) for missy E, Poached Eggs with Grilled Tomato and Haloumi ($12) for the three of us in our our party, and the French Fries ($5). Perfectly cooked eggs, great bread, fragrant tomatoes. Absolutely delicious.

Last Bite: Arrive when it opens for a better chance of a shorter wait, or put your name down and enjoy shopping in Soho. Your brunch will be worth it when you finally get it!

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

Jack’s Wife Freda
224 Lafayette St,
Manhattan, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 510 8550
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-12am Sun 10am-10pm
Reservations.
Get Directions

Keste Pizza: Kid-Friendly Pizza & Vino, West Village, New York

January 14, 2014 / Manhattan Munchies, New York Food, West Village / 0 comment

In my early days in New York, I was introduced to Kesté Pizza & Vino on Bleeker Street, by my Aussie expat friends. It was a welcome respite from the chaos in my life at that stage — pregnant, moving to New York City and starting my life from scratch. Inside Kesté, life was simpler. It was relaxed and casual, with welcoming staff, a cozy vibe, uh-mazing pizza, and understanding friends.

Missy E ate a lot of Kesté pizza when she was in utero, but none since popping out of it until my last birthday, when we decided to drop in for a casual lunch. As always, the staff was inviting and sat us straight away on an early Saturday afternoon, in a tiny little corner booth, backed up against the open kitchen.

It was pretty squishy at the table, but our location turned out to be a blessing when I realised that the glass behind me peeked straight into the kitchen and that Miss E could be briefly entertained by watching the pizzas being made from scratch, and then being baked in the oven. She also thought it would be fun to play with the wine bottles.

Even though it was my birthday (or maybe especially because it was my birthday?), Miss E was being a total demon child. Up, down, no, no, noooooooooo. The iPhone and then pizza occupied her briefly, but sadly this was one of the fastest and least relaxing visits I’ve had at Kesté. Ever.

Our visit might have been improved if the staff had been a bit friendlier towards us — especially towards Miss E. Yes, I know she can be INCREDIBLY annoying (such as on this particular day), but it would have made our lunch just that much more enjoyable and less stressful if we’d felt that they liked kids a bit more (or at least pretended to). While the staff were very efficient, we felt like they were really rushed on this particular day and our food was thrown at us, with no effort to make us comfortable, such as offers to get us things like a plastic cup for the child (I think we actually asked for this and it was ignored), or just basic welcoming conversation. It could just have been because we arrived during a busy time and the staff were super busy, so I would absolutely return with Miss E to give it another shot — if only because their pizza is SO FRICKING GOOD.

At Kesté, they make each pizza to order, from the crust up, so the pizzas super fresh in every possible way. They even make gluten-free pizzas for those who request them.

The tomato sauce on my Margherita ($13) is the perfect sweet tomato blend, with giant gloops of fresh mozzarella and little basil leaves. We ordered a pizza per adult — between the two of us, Missy E and I polished ours off. Alec was so hungry he ate his entire pizza.

We hope to return to Kesté on another day when our daughter is not trying to destroy our souls.

Last Bite: One of the best pies you’ll get in the city, at one of the most reasonable prices. The perfect place to introduce kids to what a quality pizza actually tastes like.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Minimal. Fold up strollers only.
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Kesté Pizza & Vino
271 Bleecker St (between Jones St & Morton St)
New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 243-1500
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Thur 12pm-3:30pm, 5pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-11:30pm, Sun 12pm-10:30pm

Tea & Sympathy: A Touch Of Britain In The West Village

January 6, 2014 / Manhattan Munchies, New York Food, West Village / 0 comment

I have to admit, I like a challenge. When Alexis recently wrote a post on the best afternoon tea spots in New York City, and listed Tea & Sympathy as the least kid-friendly, it sparked my interest. “What?! But WHY isn’t it kid-friendly?” I thought. I LOVE afternoon tea and am constantly in search of proper English scones like I used to get at home. This overwhelming desire to immerse myself in a proper British afternoon instilled enough bravery in me to attempt an outing to Tea & Sympathy with Miss E.

Tea & Sympathy don’t take reservations. It’s a teeny tiny little cafe in the West Village (it fits about 30 people). It is literally so squishy that people are sandwiched together while eating their scones with jam and cream. Watch out for your elbows, there is hot tea on its way through!

It’s also a super popular afternoon tea spot, not just for the expat crowd like us, but for anyone craving a bit of REALLY good British food. While Tea & Sympathy is best-known for their afternoon tea, they actually serve a full British menu, including items like bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie and baked beans on toast with grated cheese. (Side bar: British baked beans are VERY different to ones made in the USA. They’re less sweet and more . . . beany. I found a store that stocks imported British baked beans and it seriously changed my life.)

Even though we arrived in prime lunch time (they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, none of this brunch business), we only waited a few moments to be seated at our table. Our friendly Irish waitress came by for a chat and took our order, and, pretty quickly, the order arrived, hassle -free. I ordered the Afternoon Tea For One (Assorted finger sandwiches, vegetarian upon request, scones with clotted cream and strawberry or raspberry jam, a selection of cakes and a pot of steaming hot tea, $35). Alec ordered the Shepherd’s Pie ($14.95), which he had been craving (we eat a lot of savoury pies in Australia and REALLY miss them).

Everything arrived pretty quickly, which was great considering how tightly we were squeezed into our table with a restless toddler. Our table was literally so small that we had to put the tea pot and my water glass on the windowsill.

Back in Sydney, we eat a lot of afternoon tea (well, I did anyway). The Aussie-style of afternoon tea is basically British, which is a bit different to the American style in subtle ways. The scones are drier and less sweet, the cake is a sponge with thick clotted cream (not sweet cream, so dense it stands on its own), and there is usually a bit of sticky date pudding. My afternoon tea was expensive, but so large it could be eaten by two people. It contained: three sandwiches, two scones, a huge slice of sponge cake with cream and jam, and a sticky date cupcake. Lucky for me our cheery waitress offered to package up everything I didn’t eat for me to finish off later.

Alec loved his shepherd’s pie — the perfect amount of fluffy mashed potato on top of a steaming boat of mince, with peas and corn on the side. Just like home.

The scones were phenomenal — I have to say here that I’ve grown to enjoy American scones too, but oh man, there is NOTHING like a traditional English scone with tea.

Next door is a store selling everything British you can imagine food-wise, plus some cute paraphernalia like teapots. They’re expensive, so shop with care. We were happy to be able to find some Mars Bars and Ribena. SCORE!

Last Bite: Tea & Sympathy is not for the feint of heart if you’re bringing small kids. Be prepared for a possible wait, super tight surrounding that require kids to stay seated. You will, however, have one of the most authentic afternoon teas in New York City, making it totally worth the adventure.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes – in the store next door, for folding strollers.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Tea & Sympathy
108 Greenwich Ave,
New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 989 9735
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-10:30pm, Sat & Sun 9:30am-10:30pm
Get directons

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