Adventure, baby!

lunch

Moo Gourmet Burgers, Bondi Beach: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bondi, Sydney

Moo Burgers Bondi via christineknight.me

I love a good burger! Being vegetarian makes it hard to find good burgers, so I was very excited when walking past Moo Gourmet Burgers in Bondi to see their menu out front listed three different types of vegetarian burgers.

Moo Burgers Bondi via christineknight.me

Moo Gourmet Burgers is a small chain of burger stores focusing on producing great burgers, amazing shakes, and addictive chips. Moo Gourmet Burgers only uses ethically farmed, free range, free to roam, sustainable products free from hormone growth promotants and antibiotic treatments. Their menu includes 20 different gourmet burgers.

All beef burgers are made with 100% Australian Grasslands Premium Beef. As well as the 3 vegetarian options there is a selection of premium burgers including the double Wagyu beef “Deluxe Moo®”, Duck & Bacon, Greek Lamb, and Grilled Salmon.

Kids under 12 can choose from the “Little Cow®” menu which includes a choice of 3 menu options (including a vegetarian burger), a drink, and a dessert.

Multigrain and gluten free buns are on offer.

Moo Burgers Bondi via christineknight.me

You know a restaurant is kid-friendly when you sit down and a box of crayons and drawing paper appears immediately on your table. The walls are covered with the drawings of Moo’s kiddie customers too – another good sign.

Moo Burgers Bondi via christineknight.me

We ordered the kids’ Mini Falafel Burger with Hummus and a chocolate milkshake, $10.95, a Vanilla Malt Milkshake, $6, the Grilled Haloumi vegetarian burger, $14.50, Kangaroo Burger, $16.50 and a side of Sweet Potato Chips, $5.50. All in all, a bit expensive for burgers, but I guess you’re paying for the view, too.

Moo Burgers Bondi via christineknight.me

The kids’ milkshake came in the cutest cup – a miniature version of the adult one. Both shakes were classic, old school Aussie shakes.

Moo Burgers Bondi via christineknight.me Moo Burgers Bondi via christineknight.me

The Bondi branch of Moo Gourmet Burgers overlooks Bondi Beach.

Moo Burgers Bondi via christineknight.me

The kids’ burger came with a small side of chips and a little side salad. It was the perfect size for little kids – and still way too much food for my little Cheese to be able to finish.

Moo Burgers Bondi via christineknight.me Moo Burgers Bondi via christineknight.me

My haloumi burger was delicious: pureed avocado, haloumi, tomato, rocket and cucumber on a fluffy fresh bun. Hubbie’s kangaroo burger was “great”. He loves word economy.

Moo Burgers Bondi via christineknight.me

We thoroughly enjoyed our burgers at Moo Gourmet. A great easy dining option with plenty for everyone to eat and a laidback atmosphere perfect for families.

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

Moo Gourmet Burgers
70A Campbell Parade,
Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Phone: (02) 9300 8898
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 11am-9:30pm
Get Directions

Moo Gourmet Burgers Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, Sydney

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

At Tartine in Mascot, the humble jaffle sanga is being elevated to new heights. “Tartine” literally means “open sandwich” and at this cafe, you will not just enjoy tartines with amazing toppings like double smoked leg ham, provolone, chives on sourdough, you can also indulge in a delicious jaffle, unlike any you’ve likely ever had before.

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me

Chef and co-owner Anthony Telford has brought the French open sandwich to Sydney, along with his partner Amy Kirchhoff, who’s the creative behind the interior.

The food is simple and reasonably priced, with every item on the menu is under $10. The tartines are beautifully presented on Brasserie bread, which is one of our favourite local breads. Jaffles are stuffed with combinations like heirloom tomato, buffalo mozzarella, or even dessert options like nutella, banana and marshmallows.

 

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me

 

Families are extremely welcome at Tartine, and we did see several babies and toddlers having lunch at the same time that we visited. There is plenty of outdoor seating, which is particularly good for strollers, and a large lounge area that can also accommodate a stroller.

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me

We started with an English Breakfast Tea ($4.5 pot), Flat White ($3.50 small, $4 large), Hot Cocoa ($4).

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me

When i asked for the hot chocolate for Cheese, the waitress very helpfully let me know that she would make it lukewarm for her, which we all appreciated. It came out with the most adorable kitty face, making Cheese’s face in turn light up with joy.

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me

Next up was the food: Vegemite, Feta, Avocado, Sourdough ($9.50), Cheese Jaffle ($8), Herbed Cottage Cheese, Tomato & Avocado ($9.9).

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me

The jaffles and tartine were so delicious. Wonderful bread supporting fresh, flavoursome fillings. My avocado was the perfect ripeness, and the combination with the cheese and vegemite was heaven for my tastebuds.

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me

Cheese devoured her jaffle, as did Alec his. We fought over who ate Cheese’s crusts.

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me
We still had room for dessert, so ordered the Apricot and Frangipane Tart ($4) and a Coconut Tea Cake ($4).

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me

The tart was delicious – light and fruity, with the perfect crust.

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me

The tea cake was dense and moist – what Cheese didn’t want I finished off for her.

Tartine: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Mascot, #Sydney via christineknight.me

 

We loved this hidden gem in Mascot and will be back frequently for more jaffles and tartines.

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

Tartine
635 Gardeners Road,
Mascot NSW 2020
Phone: (02) 9700 9847
Prices: $
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 8am-3pm, Sun 9am-3pm
Get Directions

Tartine on Urbanspoon

Brekkie On The Beach: Lamrock Cafe, Bondi Beach

Lamrock Cafe #kidfriendly #bondi #beach #bondibeach #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Bondi Beach is a favourite playground of ours on a winter day. It’s a lot quieter and we can play for hours outdoors without worrying about sunburn. It also mean the cafes are a bit quieter, so it’s easier to get a table.

We chose Lamrock so we could look at the gorgeous beach while we ate. While it was quite busy and bustling, we were still shown to a table straight away, and had a super friendly staff member immediately come over and take care of us.

Lamrock Cafe #kidfriendly #bondi #beach #bondibeach #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Little E was pretty antsy already when we sat, so we ordered her a babyccino and breakfast straight away. While they don’t have a specific kids’ menu, Lamrock will make a kid-sized version of the adult meals for your little one. We asked for one scrambled egg and one piece of toast. Five minutes later it arrived on our table. Talk about fast service!

Lamrock Cafe #kidfriendly #bondi #beach #bondibeach #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

We admired the view while waiting for our meals to arrive. E’s babyccino cam soon after and was piping hot. Instead of being a cup of foam, it was actually scalding hot milk with foam on top, and E swilled a big sip of it before we could try it first. Cue extremely sad toddler with a burned mouth 🙁

Lamrock Cafe #kidfriendly #bondi #beach #bondibeach #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

My Vegetarian Breakfast ($16.50; sourdough toast, hash brown, haloumi, spinach, roast tomato, two poached eggs and mushrooms) was delicious. Perfectly cooked eggs, and a great variety of elements that contributed to a filling, nutritious and wonderfully tasting meal.

Lamrock Cafe #kidfriendly #bondi #beach #bondibeach #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

Alec’s Big Bondi Brekkie ($14.50) was pretty similar to mine. Two slices of sourdough, two fried eggs, hashbrown, sausage, bacon, roasted tomato, mushrooms. His was devoured within about 30 seconds and declared delicious.

Lamrock Cafe #kidfriendly #bondi #beach #bondibeach #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

Our table was optimal for great view while being within the cafe for a bit of wind protection. Plenty of space, and lots of chilled out diners who didn’t mind a crazy toddler refusing to stay put in her seat.

Lamrock Cafe #kidfriendly #bondi #beach #bondibeach #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Last bite: A delicious meal with a killer view. 

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

Lamrock Cafe
72-76 Campbell Parade,
Bondi Beach
Phone: (02) 9130 6313
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 6:30am-6:30pm
Get Directions

Lamrock Cafe on Urbanspoon

Brewtown Newtown: The Best Sydney Inner West Cafes

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

Newtown has long been a place where Sydney’s hip hangs out, but it’s really only been in the past few years that the area has seen an arrival of trendy eateries popping up. Newtown Brewtown is the epitome of the revival that’s happening in Newtown right now. It’s deliberately grungy-looking on the surface, but is actually a bit of an upscale eatery with a creative menu, and infamous Bronuts (Brewtown x cronuts).

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

 

We ordered freshly squeezed orange juice ($5) and a babyccino when we arrived to stem the hunger we’d worked up from biking over to the cafe. Note: Parking in Newtown is impossible. Where possible, get public transport.

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

 

Cheese had a pumpkin bread that was out of this world. Lots of crunchy seeds, a bit slab of some kind of maple butter. So more-ish.

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

 

Alec had the Wood Smoked Salmon (with curried Israeli couscous, poached egg, coriander, lime, $16.5). His report was that it was amazing, and unlike anything he’d ever been served for breakfast before.

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

 

My dish was the Poached Eggs on toast (with house relish, $10), and a side of avocado. The eggs were perfect, the avocado creamy and generous.

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

 

I love iced tea like nothing else, and was delighted to find Brewtown offered specially brewed iced teas. Today’s was Egyptian Rose ($6). So. So. Good.

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

 

The tables and interior in general is super tiny. No room for strollers or bulky bags, or for toys for kids to play with. We brought an activity book for Cheese and abandoned it for an iPhone when our food arrived and we needed the space.

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

 

A trip to Brewtown isn’t complete without a bronut. How beautiful do they look? We took one for the road because were were too full to eat it there.

Brewtown: Sydney's Best Cafes via christineknight.me

 

Just a short walk away from Brewtown is Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, which has a large playground. Tables on weekends will incur a wait (ours was 30 minutes) due to how popular the cafe has become. My advice: put your name down and head down to the park for a short walk and play.

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

Brewtown Newtown
6-8 O’Connell Street,
Newtown NSW 2042
Phone: (02) 9519 2920
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 8am-4pm
Get directions.

Brewtown Newtown on Urbanspoon

Vaucluse House: Sydney’s Best High Teas

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Sydney is full of gorgeous historic places, such as Vaucluse House and Vaucluse House Tearooms. Tucked away in the suburb of Vaucluse, this little oasis of quiet is a gorgeous spot for an outing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city around it.

The Vaucluse House Tearooms overlooks the beautiful and sprawling Vaucluse House gardens, and is the location we chose recently to celebrate my dad’s birthday.

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Vaucluse House is surrounded by 10 hectares of stunning gardens stretching down to Sydney Harbour. The sandstone mansion was built in the 1830s and was the home of William Charles Wentworth and his family. The Tearooms were added later in the 1930s in art deco style.

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Reservations are for parties over six, or for the high tea menu only. Otherwise, be prepared to wait for a table.

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My parents and Cheese ordered off the a la carte menu. Their dishes: Cheese Burger (beetroot, tomato, pickles on brioche with chips, $24), Tearooms Panko Crumbed Market Fish, (with fat chips, $28) Kids’ Cheese & Tomato Toastie ($8). My parents were both very happy with their dishes – fresh ingredients and well cooked.

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Alec and I ordered the Colonial High Tea ($49pp including Glass of Australian Sparkling Wine, Selection of Premium Teas from Chamellia & Coffee from The Little Marionette).

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Tearooms’ Scones with Berry Jam & Clotted Cream. I actually found the scones to be the only let down of the tea. They were hard and dry – obviously not freshly made to order.

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Savoury selection: Cauliflower & Truffle Tart with Samphire & Parmesan Crisp, Smoked Salmon on Brioche with Lemon Crème & Caviar, Chicken & Tarragon Pillows, Mediterranean Vegetable Sandwiches, and an Heirloom Tomato Tart. We enjoyed the savoury selection, but would have liked to see some more traditional sandwiches here, like egg salad or cucumber.

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Sweet selection: Apple Snow, Chocolate & Earl Grey Macarons, Strawberry Éclairs with Vanilla Crème, Brioche Doughnuts with Lemon & Lavender Sugar, Caramelised Pineapple & Orange Curd Custard Tarts. The highlight was the donuts. They were really delicious.

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For dessert, both of my parents ordered the Vanilla Sponge (with buttermilk curd, strawberries & mint with garden chard, $14), which they both said was really lovely.

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After lunch we took a stroll around the gardens. We checked out the vegetable garden and farm animals at the back of the property, as well as the stables (which are all free to visit). The produce from the gardens is featured on the Tearoom’s menu, so you can literally see your lunch growing before you.

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The farm animals are a huge hit with kids visiting the property. They’re housed in huge enclosures and live a pretty pleasant life, from what we could see. The gardens and Vaucluse House are alone a reason to visit.

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We didn’t enter Vaucluse House, but we enjoyed walking around the gardens immensely. The whole property is so peaceful and quiet that it’s hard to remember that not far away is the bustle of Sydney traffic.

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We really enjoyed our experience at Vaucluse House, and will be back once more when we need to take a time out from Sydney and visit the calmer days of yesteryear.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

Vaucluse House Tea Room
Wentworth Road,
Vaucluse NSW 2030
Phone: (02) 9388 8188
Prices: $$$
Hours: Wed–Fri 10am–4.30pm, Sat & Sun 8am–4.30pm
Get Directions
Bookings essential for high tea.

Vaucluse House Tearooms on Urbanspoon

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

Three Blue Ducks is a tiny restaurant up the hill from Bronte Beach. Even though it’s away from the main crowd of sun seekers, be prepared for a wait as this popular eatery is always busy.

The focus at Three Blue Ducks is local produce. A lot of their fresh ingredients come straight from their on-site garden (more on that later). Where possible, they use organic, Fairtrade, biodynamic and locally sourced products.

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

 

The Three Blue Ducks team also works with the local community to promote sustainable food practices by supporting initiatives such as Grow it Local, and setting up footpath herb gardens for all to share. All of the restaurant’s organic waste is collected and composted by locals, and local community gardens, which, in turn, grows food for local families. They also have a rooftop solar power system for use in the kitchen and dining areas and all cleaning chemicals are eco-friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable, and they use biodegradable takeaway containers.

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

 

We met at Three Blue Ducks with friends for a week day lunch when it was easier to get a table. The wait staff were very friendly, and happily found is a great table where we could all fit comfortably by the window.

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

Our group ordered: Raw Salad of Spinach, Beetroot, Fennel, Red Cabbage, Pomegranate, Parsley, Goats Cheese with Bird Seed Mix and Chardonnay Vinegar ($22), special of the day: Fish Cakes, Steak Sandwich with red pepper mayo, tomato, onion marmalade and rocket ($18), kids’ milk shake and friand.

My salad was huge and full of nutritious things. It was fresh, light and crunchy. Absolutely delicious.

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

 

Follow the alley down past the bathrooms to find a little garden area that kids can explore.

 

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

Watch out for bees!

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

The garden is full of herbs and vegetables – fun for teaching kids where their food comes from and what they look like before they’re picked.

Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me Three Blue Ducks: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bronte #Sydney via christineknight.me

 

And chickens are always a favourite! The back garden area is a great place for kids to get their energy out while parents are enjoying a relaxing brunch.

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

http://www.blackstarpastry.com.au/” target=”_blank”>Three Blue Ducks
143 Macpherson Street,
Bronte NSW 2024
Phone: (02) 9389 0010
Prices: $$
Hours: Sun-Tues 7am-3:30pm, Wed-Sat 7am-12am
Get Directions

Three Blue Ducks on Urbanspoon

Chur Burger: Sydney’s Best Burgers, Surry Hills

Chur Burger: #Kidfriendly #cafes #sydney via christineknight.me

I love burgers. LOVE burgers. In fact, the last meat I ate before I gave up all kinds of meat for good was a hamburger. I wasn’t sure I could be a vegetarian when I loved burgers so very much, but after much searching and sampling, I’ve been finding the best vegetarian burgers in various countries now. My previous Sydney fave, The Counter, closed down while I was living overseas, and I hadn’t found a worthy successor until my recent visit to Chur Burger.

Chur Burger: #Kidfriendly #cafes #sydney via christineknight.me

Chur Burger has been popular with food bloggers for a while, always a good sign. Nestled in the quiet back streets of Surry Hills,  Inside however, the vibe is lively, with retro pop music playing loud (the music was actually our only grumble about our dining experience. While we liked the music selection, we found it too loud to hear what our friends were saying).

We had a bit of a food splurge and ordered waaaaay too much for our little family to eat. Everything was so delicious though, that we gave it our best shot and walked away with groaning stomaches at capacity.

Chur Burger: #Kidfriendly #cafes #sydney via christineknight.me

Mozzarella sticks and tomato jam (special of the day, $10). HEAVEN. Deep fried cheesy goodness.

Chur Burger: #Kidfriendly #cafes #sydney via christineknight.me

Sweet potato fries, garlic, lime ($8). Delicious. Thick, crispy and soft in the middle.

Chur Burger: #Kidfriendly #cafes #sydney via christineknight.me

Chips, chilli salt ($6). We ordered these with plain salt so Cheese could eat them. Perfect, fat fries.

Chur Burger: #Kidfriendly #cafes #sydney via christineknight.me

Spiced chickpea fritter, grated beetroot, honey labne ($10). The holy grail of vegetarian burgers. I find it so hard to get a decent vegetarian burger and this one was pretty much perfect. Lightly spied patty, and the honey labne was devine.

Chur Burger: #Kidfriendly #cafes #sydney via christineknight.me

Grilled beef, cheese, tomato jam, mustard mayo, pickle ($10). This was Alec’s. Asked for a comment he said “it was really good” and that was all he could offer.

Chur Burger: #Kidfriendly #cafes #sydney via christineknight.me

We also ordered two Milkshakes – Vanilla and Milo ($10, all with Heilala vanilla). I only tried the Milo one but it was absolutely divine. Cheese and I battled it out to see who would get to eat the chocolate Milo bits left on top at the end. Alec said his vanilla was delicious and drank the entire thing before I could sample it.

Chur Burger: #Kidfriendly #cafes #sydney via christineknight.me

Chur Burger had lots of families dining in, as you’d expect from a burger place. While there was nothing particularly kid-friendly about it (no kids’ menu, room for strollers, change table), it was such a laid back, casual affair that bringing a few noisy kids certainly had no impact on the other kid-free patrons’ dining experience. I certainly felt very comfortable with my wiggle preschooler and didn’t worry to much if she was being loud or fidgety – no need to feel like everyone has to be on their best behaviour, so long as they’re hoeing into burgers and enjoying their shakes and fries.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes (one step).
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Chur Burger
48 Albion Street,
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Phone: (02) 9212 3602
Prices: $
Hours: Mon 11:30am-9pm Tues-Sat 11:30am-10pm, Sunday closed
Get Directions

Chur Burger on Urbanspoon

Queens Park Shed: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Randwick, Sydney

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

One of our recent cycling adventures brought us to the Queens Park Shed cafe. Originally a women’s change shed, it eventually became a disused sports storage shed, until Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust engaged Trippas White Group to turn it into a community space and cafe. The Shed is a popular cafe with families in particular, due to its location next to a large playground.

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

 

The inside is spacious and filled with large benches or cosy nooks. There is also seating outside, perfect for parking strollers.

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

 

The Shed offers little diners cute print outs such as this Ariel page, and crayons, as well as babyccinos served at the perfect temperature (and with a marshmallow, of course).

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

 

Alec and I both chose the Avocado Toast (avocado toast, free range poached eggs,
vine ripened tomato, goat’s cheese, $17). While we were impressed with the fast service, the meal itself was on the average side, due to a lack of seasoning. The cafe’s location was so great however, that we will be back to try it again and hopefully get a better dish.

 

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

 

The Shed runs a few programs for kids, such as Kids Eat Free on Thursdays from 5pm, and the Kids Power Hour, Monday – Friday 2:30-4pm, for a filling after school snack.

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

 

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

Queens Park Shed
31 Darley Rd,
Randwick NSW 2031
Phone: (02) 9380 9350
Prices: $
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-3pm, Sat & Sun 8am-4pm
Get Directions

Queens Park Shed on Urbanspoon

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

Brass Monkey: kid-friendly restaurants, Meatpacking District, New York
Brass Monkey Burger with Cheese ($15) and Sweet Potato Fries ($5)

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.

Brass Monkey: kid-friendly restaurants, Meatpacking District, New York
Rooftop with an awesome view.

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.

Brass Monkey: kid-friendly restaurants, Meatpacking District, New York
Rooftop

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.

Brass Monkey: kid-friendly restaurants, Meatpacking District, New York
Who let the toddler out?

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: kid-friendly restaurants, Meatpacking District, New York
Full Irish Breakfast (two eggs any style, sausage, black pudding, white pudding, beans and toast ($13)

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.

Brass Monkey: kid-friendly restaurants, Meatpacking District, New York
Egg Scramble Wrap (with spinach, tomato and cheddar, served with home fries $12)
Brass Monkey: kid-friendly restaurants, Meatpacking District, New York
Asparagus, tomato, fresh mozzarella egg white omelette with home fries ($14)
Brass Monkey: kid-friendly restaurants, Meatpacking District, New York
Egg Marisol (poached eggs with avocado, tomato and hollandaise on toasted English muffins with home fries ($14)

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?

Brass Monkey: kid-friendly restaurants, Meatpacking District, New York
A sweet potato fry is acceptable.

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

Brass Monkey on Urbanspoon

Belrose Hotel Revamp: Kid-Friendly Pubs, Sydney

Belrose Hotel Revamp: #kidfriendly #pubs #Sydney via christineknight.me

The Belrose Hotel in Sydney’s Northern Suburbs is famous for being a great, kid-friendly place to eat. The restaurant has just had a massive renovation, and we were invited to check out the new and improved Belrose Hotel at their media launch.

Wedding Day Photographs from Polixenni Photography

If you’ve already dined at the Belrose, you’ll already know about the fantastic (contained) play areas for kids – the largest indoor ‘soft-play’ playground of any of hotel in Australia, with separate infant/toddler and kids’ play areas. Parents can dine right next to the play areas and watch what their kids are getting up to through the clear walls while they eat in relative peace.

Wedding Day Photographs from Polixenni Photography Wedding Day Photographs from Polixenni Photography

What has changed is the dining space, getting a nice face lift to lighten and brighten it up, as well as an overhaul to the menu. The food focus is now on healthier options, with dishes made from fresh, quality produce.

Wedding Day Photographs from Polixenni Photography

The Belrose also now offers full table service and the option to book your table in advance.

We sampled several dishes when we dined at the Belrose – and, for the first time in possible ever, Cheese had a menu that I also wanted to order food off. The kids’ “Little Foodies” menu has lots of delicious and nutritious options so the whole family can eat well.

Belrose Hotel Revamp: #kidfriendly #pubs #Sydney via christineknight.me

Our dining choices were: the Vegetarian Gnocchi ($17 home-made corn, pea and kumara gnocchi served with a creamy mushroom and roast red pepper sauce, topped with a mini herb salad and basil oil), Chunky Chips ($6 with sea salt) Manuka Honey Infused Roast Pumpkin Salad ($15 with roast beetroot, chickpea, snow peas, pepitas, pine nuts, almonds with a cashew yoghurt) Kingfish Fillet ($28, brushed with citrus, parsley, sea salt and olive oil ), and Cheese’s dish, the Sweet Potato, Corn and Pea Gnocchi ($10, tossed in a creamy tomato sauce).

Belrose Hotel Revamp: #kidfriendly #pubs #Sydney via christineknight.me Belrose Hotel Revamp: #kidfriendly #pubs #Sydney via christineknight.me Belrose Hotel Revamp: #kidfriendly #pubs #Sydney via christineknight.me Belrose Hotel Revamp: #kidfriendly #pubs #Sydney via christineknight.me Belrose Hotel Revamp: #kidfriendly #pubs #Sydney via christineknight.me

The dishes were all generously portioned, and arrived hot and freshly cooked. Cheese’s pasta dish arrived first, and then ours a bit later. The gnocchi dishes were absolutely delicious, and the picky Cheese even ate a fair amount of the gnocchi. The salad was massive and packed with good, fresh ingredients. The mains took a little while longer that I would have liked to arrive – hopefully just a teething problem, as the food was really delicious and we will absolutely be back to dine at the Belrose again.

Belrose Hotel Revamp: #kidfriendly #pubs #Sydney via christineknight.me Belrose Hotel Revamp: #kidfriendly #pubs #Sydney via christineknight.me Belrose Hotel Revamp: #kidfriendly #pubs #Sydney via christineknight.me

One more family-friendly feature to mention is the baby change room and family room, so breastfeeding mums who want some privacy can duck in and relax in a comfy chair while nursing their babies. Super considerate.

Wedding Day Photographs from Polixenni Photography Wedding Day Photographs from Polixenni Photography Wedding Day Photographs from Polixenni Photography

The Belrose Hotel is a fantastic venue for families wanting to dine at a restaurant that caters to every member of their group. Highly recommended, check it out!

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

Belrose Hotel
5 Hews Parade,
Belrose NSW 2085
Phone: (02) 9451 8585
Prices: $
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am-12am, Sun 9:30am-10pm
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Belrose Hotel Bistro on Urbanspoon