Restaurants made just for families

by Kristin Darguzas (Subscribe to Kristin Darguzas's posts) Nov 11th 2007 6:04PM

I'm all too familiar with adult-only restaurants: establishments that welcome only people who do not poop their pants or spit out their unwanted food on the windowsill. And I firmly believe that these places have their right to exist, but I've occasionally felt wistful about the lack of ability to dine out with my son, in a place where the food doesn't come wrapped in yellow paper.

So when my friend Libby invited Nolan and I to join her and her family for brunch at a kid-friendly restaurant downtown, I was intrigued. Apparently, the restaurant served delicious food and had a play area with a mini-kitchen for toddlers to create their own culinary art. What an awesome idea! Why hadn't I invented it?

Nolan and I thoroughly enjoyed Little Nest. Nobody rolled their eyes when Nolan dragged a plastic phone from the play area to the till, and though there was the minor mishap of Nolan rolling on Libby's son (I don't know either) Food was laid out helpfully on a giant chalkboard, and orders for fare like banana-ricotta french toast and goat cheese frittata with root vegetables could be paid for right at the counter. This is perfect: often I find we need to make a quick exit and taking care of the bill first ensures that we could bolt (as inevitably, we needed to do.)

I'll be back there next weekend, and maybe the weekend after. I wish there were more establishments like this. Admittedly the atmosphere was chaotic: if you don't have kids you probably wouldn't want to go near this place. But I think every city should have at least one.

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Comments (8)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Melissa 11-11-2007 @ 7:14PM

I so had this idea two weeks ago. I can't believe these people stole my idea and opened up a restaurant in that little time! ;)

Kelsey 11-11-2007 @ 8:04PM

For thoose living in Austin, Texas there is the wonderful Waterloo Ice House on Burnett Road(Correct me if I am wrong) The resturant has playground out back to occupy children and a good assortment of food (though nothing extraordinary.) The greatest part of it however is that bringing your children along is the norm. No matter what your kid is doing, you have three different parents equally has exasperated.

Eva 11-11-2007 @ 8:58PM

Huh, my friends and I don't have a problem taking our little ones to restaurants. We just choose very casual, very loud places, usually Mexican or places like that.

Lauren 11-11-2007 @ 11:04PM

There is a restaurant here in Portland, OR that is the same idea. It is called Peanut Butter & Ellie's, and I have heard really wonderful things about it.

We have not ventured out there yet, but it is on the list for the rainy, yucky winter. I agree it is a great idea!

Wendy Cardoza 11-12-2007 @ 12:12AM

In Sacramento CA there is(or was, I no longer live there) a small restaurant called The Family Room with an etch-a-sketch on the tables, toys in the corner, and menu items such as the toddler graze. It also happily served great adult fare that was special enough for a date. The prices were reasonable and they seemed to stay pretty busy. I thought it was fabulous!!! Wish there were more like that too.

Tamyu 11-12-2007 @ 1:27AM

There is a place near here which does it beautifully. They have a huge padded play area, with little low walled islands that contain tables. The kids can run around the play area (which has a high wall with a gate to prevent escapes) while the parents enjoy their meal on their personal "island". The tables themselves are a work of art too, as they are designed to not spill the food outside the little island, and are the easiest things to wipe down. The seats are very low, and the area for your feet is indented. No chair or table legs for kids to crawl under.

Plus, they give you a set of sterilized wash cloths to wipe down your child, and whatever they spill.

Did I mention that their food was great?

I love the place.

Elizabeth 11-12-2007 @ 10:51AM

We have a restaurant called My Friend's Place here that not only emphasizes healthy food (no deep frying) that tastes really good but they have an area with toys and a dvd player where kids can eat, all within view of the "grown-up" tables. They also have a nursing room and very clean, well stocked changing tables. We're talking diapers, wipes, all of it! Also, the owner has children and simply laughs off any mishaps.

Chelsea 11-12-2007 @ 11:45AM

Thanks for the info, what a great idea and in Vancouver too! I'm going to check it out. There are only so many pirate packs one person can order before we need to find something else.

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