Manhattan Munchies Archives - Page 2 of 3

E.A.T. Cafe; Kid-friendly Restaurants, UES, Manhattan, New York

November 27, 2012 / Manhattan Munchies, Upper East Side / 1 Comment

E.A.T. was opened by Eli Zabar in 1973. It was the first of Eli’s shops, filled with his ideas on what makes for great food – delicious bread, overstuffed sandwiches and salads made in small batches several times a day. E.A.T. is a great cafe to stop by on the way to or from the Met, particularly if you have your infant or toddler in tow. The cafe has lots of tables and space – we were sat immediately during a busy Sunday lunch period. Right after being seated, water arrived – in a bottle for us, and in a cute little cup with a straw for the toddler.

The service continued to be attentive and fast. A bread basket with three kinds of bread and butter quickly appeared (their tagline is “Everything comes with Eli’s Bread!”), and our meals arrived with astonishing speed. Dining was a bit pricey (a cheese omelette was $20), but hey, it is the UES after all, and it’s worth paying a bit extra to have an enjoyable dining experience with babies and toddlers.

E.A.T. water cup — The straw cup for our littlest diner went down well.

E.A.T. hot chocolate — Cheese captures and destroys a (cooled) hot chocolate.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes – but minimal. We folded ours next to the table and it was no problem. Take an umbrella stroller or baby carrier if possible.
Easy access: Yes – one step to get in, and then navigate through the take away shop before getting to the entrance to the restaurant.
Change tables: No. The bathrooms are tiny (also a bit gross) – no room to even change a baby on the floor.
Kids’ menu: No.
Kid-friendly rating: ♥♥♥♥-

E.A.T. Cafe
1064 Madison Avenue (between 80th and 81th Sts),
New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 772 0022

Hours:
Mon-Sun 7am–10pm

Sugar and Plumm: Kid-friendly Restaurants, UWS, New York

November 23, 2012 / Manhattan Munchies, Upper West Side / 0 comment

Post by guest blogger, Beverly Burgess.

If you’re after a place that’s super-girly AND baby-friendly, you can’t go wrong with Sugar & Plumm. If you have a daughter, you simply must check this place out! She will love it 🙂 Their tagline is “a spoonful of whimsy on the Upper West Side” and it is spot on.

The place is pretty spacious, and divided into a cafe on one side and a little shop and bakery on the other. The staff are dressed in these pretty purple dresses, and are really sweet and friendly. The place is unbelievably baby-friendly, with loads of high chairs, areas to park your stroller, and even super-cute plastic cups with lids that they serve (complimentary) water in for the kids!! LOVE it.

Sugar and Plumm — The whimsical Sugar & Plumm

Their desserts are the stars of their menu, and the GRASSHOPPER (mint chocolate chip ice cream, chocolate sauce, peppermint patty) was a winner. It came in a tall frosted glass and was pretty luscious. Very filling, so two can probably share a milkshake!

I opted for the SMORE’S SUNDAE (chocolate ice cream, marshmallow, graham cracker, chocolate sauce) and really gave myself an ice cream overdose! It was 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream in there, and basically one gigantic sugar overload 😉

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

Sugar and Plumm
377 Amsterdam Avenue,
New York, New York 10024
Phone: (212) 787 8778

Hours: Sun -Wed 8:30am-10:30pm, Thur -Sat 8:30am-11:30pm

Golden Unicorn Restaurant

November 20, 2012 / Chinatown, Manhattan Munchies / 0 comment

A perfect restaurant for the whole family – a huge, dim sum smorgasbord, where no-one cares how much food you drop on the table or floor. No need to worry about a fussy baby – the noise level from the vast amount of people is already so high that a sad baby won’t be noticed.

The food is delicious and fast, with food carts constantly zooming around, piled high with a great variety of small, bite-sized dishes – perfect for eating single-handed while entertaining a toddler if you don’t mind stabbing them (the food, not your toddler) with a chopstick, or asking for a fork.

The only downside is the long wait for a table. Get there early, or have friends get there before you and mind a spot in the queue for your whole party.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes – and you can park your stroller at the table if you prefer.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.
Baby-friendly rating: ♥♥♥–

Golden Unicorn Restaurant
18 East Broadway,
New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 941 0911

Hours:
Mon-Sun 9am–10:30pm

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=golden+unicorn+china+town&fb=1&gl=us&hq=golden+unicorn+china+town&hnear=0x89c24fa5d33f083b:0xc80b8f06e177fe62,New+York,+NY&cid=0,0,17142260180301623930&ll=40.713559,-73.997145&spn=0.006295,0.006295&t=m&iwloc=A&output=embed&w=425&h=350%5D

Via Quadronno

November 19, 2012 / Manhattan Munchies, Upper East Side / 0 comment

Via Quadronno is famous for their mouth-wateringly amazing paninis. Also gasp-inducing? The prices. Two paninis, a latte and a croissant will set you back around $40. Note to pastry lovers: They have Payard’s croissants here! The perfect, buttery pastries are worth the exorbitant prices.

Describing this restaurant as tight-quarters is an understatement. Our suggestion is to order takeaway at the front counter and eat your delicious panini either on the bench out the front of the restaurant, or take a short walk to nearby Central Park for lunch with a view.

Via Quadronne — Sheltering from the rain with lunch at Via Quadronno.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No – this is a tiny cafe. Bring a carrier if possible if you’re planning to eat inside.
Easy access: Yes – one step. There are more stairs however into the main dining area in the rear.
Kids’ menu: No.
Baby-friendly rating: —–

Via Quadronno
25 East 73rd Street (at Madison st),
New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 650 9880

Hours:
Mon-Fri 8am–11pm
Sat 9am–11pm
Sun 10am–9pm

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=via+quadronno&fb=1&gl=us&hq=via+quadronno&hnear=0x89c24fa5d33f083b:0xc80b8f06e177fe62,New+York,+NY&cid=0,0,4762130834165716547&ll=40.772687,-73.965233&spn=0.006295,0.006295&t=m&iwloc=A&output=embed&w=425&h=350%5D

Magnolia Bakery Upper West Side

November 14, 2012 / Manhattan Munchies, Upper West Side / 0 comment

This upper west side branch of the famous bakery was blissfully quiet the weekend we dropped in. No queues! No crowds! A row of tables by the windows leave ample room for strollers to be parked while you enjoy a delicious cupcake or banana pudding. It’s worth noting that we came by with friends and three babies all under the age of 1.5, and managed to have a relaxed morning tea here. A miracle by any parent’s standard!

Magnolia Bakery Upper West Side — Spacious, quiet interior.

Magnolia Bakery UWS kids — Morning tea with friends

Highchairs: No, but you can park your stroller at the tables.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes – there is a ramp entrance.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.
Baby-friendly rating: ♥♥—

Magnolia Bakery, UWS
200 Columbus Avenue (at 71st st),
New York, NY 10023
Phone: (212) 724 8101

Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 7:30am–10pm
Fri-Sat 7:30am–12am

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=magnolia+bakery+upper+west+side&fb=1&gl=us&hq=magnolia+bakery+upper+west+side&hnear=magnolia+bakery+upper+west+side&cid=0,0,14235851369131911042&ll=40.775637,-73.9803&spn=0.006295,0.006295&t=m&iwloc=A&output=embed&w=425&h=350%5D

PIER i CAFÉ

November 9, 2012 / Manhattan Munchies, Upper West Side / 0 comment

This casual, seasonal restaurant (only open when the weather is warm enough) is perfect for families and mother’s groups to meet up during the week or on weekends. Located on the riverfront, the space is huge, so plenty of room for giant strollers and large groups, particularly on weekdays. No need to worry about fussy babies here – the open-air environment absorbs the worst of the noise. Since the restaurant opens up onto the Riverside Park walkway, you can get up and stroll cranky babies whenever needed without leaving your group.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Lots of space for strollers.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No (there are lots of park benches nearby where babies can be changed however).
Kids’ menu: Yes.
Kid-friendly rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

PIER i CAFÉ
500 W 70th Street (in Riverside Park South)
New York, NY 10023
Phone: (212) 362 4450

Hours:
PIER i CAFÉ will open any day above 65 degrees, from May 1st to mid-October (weather permitting).
Coffee Bar
Monday – Friday: 8AM – 5PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8AM – 4PM

Cafe
Monday – Friday: 12PM – 11PM
Saturday & Sunday: 11AM – 11PM

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Pier+i+Cafe+500+W+70th+Street+New+York,+NY+10023&aq=&sll=40.780899,-73.9888&sspn=0.017905,0.0421&ie=UTF8&hq=Pier+i+Cafe+500+W+70th+Street+New+York,+NY+10023&ll=40.780899,-73.9888&spn=0.016898,0.032015&t=m&output=embed&w=425&h=350%5D

Dylan's Candy Bar

November 8, 2012 / Manhattan Munchies, Upper East Side / 0 comment

While kids and teenagers on the ground floor whirl around the self-serve candy bar, minutes away from a sugar coma, upstairs is a bright, pastel haven where you and your little ones can sit in giant life-sized cupcake booths (excellent privacy for nursing mothers) and chug down sweet candy-themed cocktails from the bar. Savoury food is limited to pizza and build-your-own deluxe peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (add-ins include things like rice krispie treats, so this isn’t your typical sandwich). Their speciality is, of course, desserts, so be prepared for a sugar-high pretty much as soon as you walk in the door.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: No – but there is plenty of room for strollers to wheel around or sit at your table with you.
Easy access: Yes – an elevator to the 2nd floor where the cafe is housed.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: No – but most older kids will eat pretty much anything on the menu. Ice-cream – hello?
Kid-friendly rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Dylan’s Candy Bar
1011 3rd Avenue at 60th street,
New York, NY 10065
Phone: (646) 735 0078

Hours:
Mon-Thu 10am–9pm
Fri-Sat 10am–11pm
Sun 11am–9pm

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=dylan's+candy+bar&fb=1&gl=us&hq=dylan's+candy+bar&hnear=0x89c24fa5d33f083b:0xc80b8f06e177fe62,New+York,+NY&cid=0,0,7473195737351987267&ll=40.762165,-73.965826&spn=0.006295,0.006295&t=m&output=embed&w=425&h=350%5D

Serendipity 3

November 7, 2012 / Manhattan Munchies, Upper East Side / 0 comment

A place this cute and kitschy screams child-friendly – until you read the sign on the door that reads “Absolutely no strollers or carriages allowed in the restaurant”. The decor, with oversized clocks and stained glass lamps, is a vision out of Wonderland – but this land is for big kids, not toddlers and babies. When asked if they have highchairs, the server responds with a no – adding they have booster chairs however, which they don’t recommend we use because they’re not safe.

Having a heart-to-heart with a friend’s toddler, who is perched on the “un-safe” booster seats.

The tables are small and squished together, making it difficult to hold infants on your lap. Add to that slow service and a potential long wait for a table (half an hour on weekdays, up to an hour on weekends), and you’ve got a place that is best left till the kids are a lot older.

The redeeming feature of Serendipity 3 is that their meals are tasty and large portioned, including their speciality Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, which is large enough for four people to share.

Three ladies, three babies. Stealth baby in the baby carrier. Forbidden strollers ready to be deployed.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No
Easy access: No – several stairs down into the restaurant, plus two flights of steep stairs if your table is in the upstairs section.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.
Kid-friendly rating: –—-

Serendipity 3
225 East 60th Street
between 2nd and 3rd Avenues
New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 838 3531
Serendipity 3 accepts a limited amount of reservations for lunch and dinner only, not for desserts. To make a reservation for lunch or dinner please call (212) 838 3531.

Hours:
Sun-Thur 11:30am to midnight
Friday 11:30am to 1:00am
Saturday 11:30am to 2:00am

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=serendipity+3+225+East+60th+Street+between+2nd+and+3rd+Avenues+New+York,+NY+10022&aq=&sll=40.697488,-73.979681&sspn=0.573686,1.347198&ie=UTF8&hq=serendipity+3+225+East+60th+Street+between+2nd+and+3rd+Avenues+New+York,+NY+10022&hnear=&radius=15000&ll=40.761776,-73.964943&spn=0.03582,0.0842&t=m&z=14&iwloc=A&cid=16942713096821584029&output=embed&w=425&h=350%5D

The Plaza Food Hall

October 23, 2012 / Manhattan Munchies, Midtown East / 0 comment

The new food hall under The Plaza has more than 20 bright kiosks and stalls including Billy’s Bakery, La Maison du Chocolat, Tartinery, Sant Ambroeus desserts, Lady M Cake Boutique, Luke’s Lobster and Sushi of Gari. The cheerful environment is perfect for families to stop by for brunch, lunch or an early dinner. Little girls will love playing in the Eloise store, and your toddler can happily charge around the seating area without drawing disapproving glances from other diners.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Lots of space for strollers.
Easy access: Yes – there is elevator access to the food hall level.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: No.
Kid-friendly rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

The Plaza Food Hall
1 West 59th Street New York, NY 10019
Phone (212) 986 9260

Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=plaza+food+hall&fb=1&gl=us&hq=plaza+food+hall&hnear=0x89c24fa5d33f083b:0xc80b8f06e177fe62,New+York,+NY&cid=0,0,11861330291617945167&ll=40.764396,-73.973957&spn=0.006295,0.006295&t=m&iwloc=A&output=embed&w=425&h=350%5D

Alice’s Tea Cup

October 22, 2012 / Midtown East, New York, New York Food, Upper East Side, Upper West Side / 1 Comment

A little girl’s dream come true, this cafe chain is heaven for kids and adults alike. Delightful scones, a large menu of tea and whimsical decor make this a fun place to eat. While it’s definitely kid-friendly, it’s not so great for young toddlers and babies. On weekends there is a long wait (usually an hour), no reservations, and slow service.

Highchairs: Yes – a limited amount however. We were told during one visit that if wanted a table with a high chair it would be an additional wait time.
Stroller storage: Limited space. Bring a stroller that folds up if possible.
Easy access: No – lots of steps.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes.
Kid-friendly rating: ♥♥♥–

Alice’s Tea Cup
102 West 73rd St
New York
Phone (212) 799 3006

156 East 64th Street
Manhattan
Phone (212) 486 9200

220 East 81st Street
New York
Phone (212) 734 4832

Hours:
Daily: 8am-8pm

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=alice's+tea+cup&fb=1&gl=us&hq=alices+tea+cup&hnear=New+York&ll=40.746537,-73.980674&spn=0.077243,0.060719&t=m&output=embed&w=425&h=350%5D