After a gluttonous afternoon we decided to end it with … even more food, of course. Our target – the Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo, for pastries that would blow our calorie counts for the next month.
Late afternoon sugar hit.Macaron heaven.White Rose Religieuse.Banana Passionfruit Pavlova.
What was totally surprising was how easy it was to stop by here with a toddler. I’d previously only ordered to go from the front counter, not realising they have a large back garden area, enclosed like a conservatorium. Lots of tables free, lots of space – no one caring if our manic toddler ran around like a nut case. Miss Cheese was in heaven with all the treats coming her way – hot chocolate, croissant, cream puffs. No wonder she was manic … My favourite thing to order here is the DKA (“Dominique’s Kouign Amann”). It doesn’t look like much (it looks kinda like a rock cake), but it’s devine. The best description comes from their website: “Tender, flaky, croissant-like dough with a caramelized crunchy crust”. Yes please.
Get away from me, Dad.
Highchairs: No. Stroller storage: No. The front of the store is a bit tight, but they have a large (enclosed) garden out the back where your giant stroller will fit. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No. Baby-friendly rating: ♥♥—
Dominique Ansel Bakery
189 Spring St,
New York
Phone: (212) 219 2773
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm Sun 9am-7pm
After a failed attempt to visit the new Meatball Shop in Chelsea (it wasn’t open despite the website saying it was, so I’m still not sure what happened there), we were left with a group of four adults and one kidlet for lunch at prime time in Chelsea. Not a positive start to the afternoon. Lucky, our friend suggested a local fave of his, The Grey Dog, and, best of all, they had a table free so we could sit down straight away.
On its website, The Grey Dog calls itself the “best cafe in New York”. This is a HUGE call to make, people. Huge. I have to admit though, that it’s right up there – we had a really great experience at this cafe.
When you enter, the waitstaff will show you your table – but you order and pay at the bar. This is a little disorganised when the cafe’s full – or when, like us, you’re juggling a whingy toddler. On the plus side, it allows for a very fast getaway after your meal.
Grey Dog on a grey old day.Cute interior.Delicious lunch. Mozzarella, tomato and basil pesto sandwich, potato, leek and broccoli soup, sweet potato fries.
We just missed the breakfast menu (it ends at 3pm), but were just as happy with the lunch menu offerings. As was the Cheese. She absolutely loved trying everything, from the soup to my sandwich and the table favourite, sweet potato fries.
Free range baby, stealing our food.
The cafe does have high chairs, but with the way the tables are arrange, close to the walls and tightly together, I can see it would be hard to actually fit a highchair at your table unless you had an uneven number of people with you.
What we loved – the food was delicious and fast. Everything was super tasty and freshly made. They didn’t mind that we wedged the toddler between us on a window ledge so she could pilfer parts of our meals and bang on the window alternatively (sorry again for that, people sitting next to us …).
We will absolutely be back. I can see The Grey Dog becoming one of our neighbourhood go-tos.
Highchairs:Yes – it’s a tight fit though to squeeze them in next to you at a table. Stroller storage: Minimal. We folded our umbrella stroller and wedged it in a space next to our table. Easy access: Yes. There is a ramp near the exit, next to the main entrance. Change tables: No. There is however a large wooden bench in the restrooms that could be used as a change table. Kids’ menu: No. Baby-friendly rating: ♥♥—
The Grey Dog
242 W 16th St,
New York, NY
Phone: (212) 229 2345
With the weather so cold and foul, I planned a lunch with friends at Smorgas Chef @ Scandinavia House purely because they also have a playroom in the building, and because they take reservations for brunch. Smorgas is known for its Scandinavian food, which makes most people think of meatballs. Being vegetarian, obviously meatballs are out for us – thankfully their brunch menu is full of traditional brunchy fare that everyone will like, including picky toddlers.
Are you sure I like waffles?Tree in the middle of the dining room.Multitasking.
On arriving, we were met by a friendly hostess who immediately offered us a high chair and kids menu with crayons, and directed us to the stroller parking area. Immediate score! Between the waffles we ordered for the Cheese off the kid’s menu and the crayons, our cheesy little friend was having a ball.
Our server was a bit slow to take our order – and we had some really annoying screw ups with my order in the kitchen. Take note – do not try and make changes to any items on the menu, or you’ll be sorry! Also, if you’re a vegetarian, check your dish carefully for meat as you eat it.
Waffles – glorious.
The food was pretty good – the Cheese loved her waffles (which came with a little milk box).
Stroller and high chair parking.
After lunch we made our way to the Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center upstairs. It was a pretty cute little area – lots of engaging things for kids to play with, like a slide, train table, play kitchen and mushroom house. It was also completely packed with parents and kids, so it wasn’t the best experience – toddlers all wanting to play with the same toys … cue all kinds of excitement!
Upstairs in the play space.Moomin!
Would we be back? Probably not to the restaurant, unless we wanted to go to the play space again. When the weather is nasty out, it’s definitely a really good option for a Saturday afternoon.
Highchairs: Yes. Stokke of course! Stroller storage: Lots – bring your giant stroller if needs be. Easy access: Yes. They have elevator access. Change tables: Yes – although you have to get the elevator down to the floor below to use the restrooms, which is a bit odd. Kids’ menu: Yes. Baby-friendly rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
We stopped by Aroma after a trip to nearby 9/11 Memorial, badly in need of a place to replenish strength with some out-of-town visitors. The casual vibe at Aroma is perfect for families, particularly those with young infants. Toddlers, too, are welcome – they can happily run around without bothering other diners. Cheese particularly loved the stands with packets of chips on them at a perfect height for little fingers to grab. Thank you Aroma staff for your tolerance!
Order and pay at the counter, then take a seat at one of several long tables. High chairs are available, or you can park your stroller at the table with you.
Aroma is a huge, modern cafe with lots of tables with plenty of room between them, and large, comfy chairs. Add in free wi-fi, fast service and delicious sandwiches, and you’ve got a solid, reliable place to stop and take a breath in the busy city.
Cheese loves the carbs.
Highchairs: Yes. Stroller storage: Yes. This is a huge space, plenty of room for your SUV-sized stroller. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No. Kid-friendly rating: ♥♥♥♥-
Aroma Espresso Bar
100 Church Street,
New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 346 0095
Deep-fried pizza, deep-fried burgers, deep-fried chocolate. You want it, they fry it. Seriously. If this sounds like the sort of heart attack-inducing lunch you’re after, step on down to the ChipShop for authentic British fare like Haggis, baked beans on toast, fried fish and British-style chips (thick wedges of potato – fried, of course), mushy peas and fried mac and cheese (the menu says “sounds weird but it’s bloody lovely”).
We ventured into the ChipShop after feeling homesick for some British-style chips. This divey little pub feels a bit grotty (sticky tables, sticky chairs, sticky everything!), but on the plus side, no-one cares if your toddler throws their entire meal on the floor.
All this food, for 2.5 people?!
Highchairs: Yes. They also have booster seats. Stroller storage: Yes – room for strollers. Bring a folding stroller, however, if you’re coming at a busy time, just to be on the safe side. Easy access: Yes – one step to enter. Change tables: Yes. Kids’ menu: Yes.
The Atlantic ChipShop
129 Atlantic Ave (Between Clinton and Henry),
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: (718) 855 7775
Prices: $$
Hours:
Mon-Fri 12pm-12am (bar until midnight)
Sat-Sun 10am-12am (bar until 12am) Get directions.
