How to make restaurant meals enjoyable for the whole family.
When I take my daughter, Abby, to a nice restaurant, she knows there are a few rules: We use indoor voices, we don’t run around, and we have to be willing to try something new. As a food writer, fine dining is a significant part of my life for both work and pleasure, and I knew that I couldn’t relegate meals with Abby to fast-casual restaurants. Dining with her and my husband at a more upscale restaurant gives us a chance to slow down as a family, enjoy a meal together and introduce her to foods and flavors she might not encounter at home.
With a little planning, dining out with kids can be enjoyable for everyone. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Go at an off time.
With a young child, having an early dinner at 6 p.m. or before is key to success. You’re more likely to get a reservation or be seated quickly, and you’ll avoid the restaurant’s busiest period. You’ll also finish your meal before your child gets overtired. It’s a win-win for everyone. “We’ve found that families tend to eat earlier, and it doesn’t affect the guests that come in and have an ‘adult’ meal,” says Chris Hall, co-founder of Unsukay Restaurants that includes Roshambo.
Do your homework first.
This is a rule I learned the hard way by taking my daughter to a restaurant that doesn’t allow phone or tablet use in its dining room. Sure enough, this was a rule listed on its website. While my daughter doesn’t use electronics very often, we’ve now gotten in the habit of quickly scanning a restaurant’s website to see if there’s anything we need to know regarding kids and the dining room.
Set ground rules about behavior.
Talking with your child ahead of a meal about behavioral expectations can help things go smoothly. It’s a reminder that just because kids are welcome in a restaurant, it doesn’t mean it’s a playground. “My only rule is don’t let your kids run around,” says Hall. “We’ve got people carrying hot food, and we don’t want a hot bowl of soup to get on your child.”
Order strategically.
It’s great when a restaurant has a thoughtful kids’ menu, but if not, going in with a plan can save the dining experience. Look at the menu to see if there are dishes your child will eat but also encourage them to try something new. When I take Abby to a new restaurant, I remind her that she only has to try one bite. She doesn’t have to love it, just try it. This has led to a surprising enjoyment of raw oysters and pate. Sometimes, restaurants have offmenu options like buttered noodles or grilled cheese if you ask.
THESE RESTAURANTS LOVE KIDS
THE CHASTAIN
This Buckhead restaurant might be elegant, but it welcomes kids for lunch or dinner. The kids’ menu includes grilled cheese prepared on garlic bread and a scaled-down version of the adult-sized cheeseburger, always a fan favorite. Most of the produce on the menu is grown on-site in the restaurant’s garden. Take the kids for a stroll through it for a bonus sensory experience.
thechastainatl.com
@thechastainatl
AVIZE
Located in West Midtown, Avize specializes in Alpine inspired fare, taking cues from Northern Italy, Austria and France. The restaurant caters to adults, but kids are welcome, too. The chefs make a killer bowl of buttery noodles so rich and creamy that adults will probably steal a couple of bites, too.
avizeatlanta.com
@avize.atl
ROSHAMBO
Roshambo in Peachtree Battle has a great kids’ menu, but your children don’t need to order from it to enjoy the restaurant. Chicken Parmesan and grilled cheese with tomato soup satisfy taste buds across generations. The restaurant also offers $5 kids’ meals Sunday through Thursday nights.
roshamboatl.com
@roshamboatl
THE OPTIMIST
A West Midtown mainstay, The Optimist’s nautical-inspired decor creates a fun, laid-back atmosphere that both kids and adults can enjoy. Here, tykes can try items like fresh oysters while also relying on a well executed kids’ menu with handdipped chicken tenders and fish sticks made from flaky cod.
theoptimistrestaurant.com
@theoptimistatl
PHOTO: Joann Vitelli
