CTbites Shout Out: Where Do You Eat Out w/ Kids?
multiple Authors
It's the age old problem. You want to go out for dinner with your family, but you simply can't bear the thought of the Diner again. Where can you eat out in Fairfield County where both adults and children will not just endure but enjoy their meals? To help us with this conundrum, I asked our contributors to share their suggestions in the latest CTbites Shoutout:
What are your favorite places to eat out with kids?
If you have favorite family restaurants, share them by posting a comment below!
If my kids (10, 7, & 5) had their way, they would eat tacos, refried beans and rice every day of the week. We are regulars at Ole Mole, Tacos Mexico, and Los Molcajetes (all of which are very accommodating to children). Matsu Sushi (Westport) and Wasabi Chi (Norwalk) are always requested for special treats, and Wasabi has a great happy hour menu which is crucial when your 5 year old can put down $50 worth of Salmon. For brunch we go for Rosie in New Canaan, Nicholas Roberts for the best French Toast ever, and Le Pain Quotidien for steel cut oatmeal and croissants.
Christy Colasurdo:
My boys (ages 7 &10) are big hibachi fans. They enjoy going to Bond Grill in Norwalk. The show isn't as professional as at some places, but the kids get a kick out of it, and they love the hibachi steak, edamame, fried dumplings, as well as the Japanese soda with little marbles trapped inside the bottle. It's not as loud or as packed as Sakura in Wesport and the prices are gentler, to boot. The adults enjoy it, too, as we can order sushi, cocktails and other Asian foods besides hibachi. Another kids' crowd pleaser is Bobby Qs in the heart of downtown Westport. My boys and their friends order baby back ribs or the pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, served with fries. They also make short work of the appetizers, like paper cups full of frizzled onions, served with bbq dipping sauce, and a variety of other fun starters, including nachos and homemade potato-chips. There are plenty of diet-busting kids' desserts, too, like the Mississippi Mud Pie, the Smorealicious, the Fried Twinkie and the Whoopie Pie. Lots to choose from here—and Tues night is kids' night; kids eat for a ridiculously low price; I think it's $4, and a roving magician does tricks table-side!
Amy Kundrat:
I love the Sycamore Drive-in in Bethel- Saturdays in the Summer at 6 pm they have a classic car cruise night which draws some amazing class cars, trucks and motorcycles from the region for their signature french style burgers and home made root beer. It's been in continuous operation since 1948 (!) and the prices seem as if they were as old. Get the Dagwood burger and a root beer float.
Also, Rosie in New Canaan.
Ronit Tarshis:
Hands down, I would have to say Sakura in Westport... we go there for every family birthday dinner- including my own, whether I like it or not! Miraculously, the kids (ages 10, 7, & 5) never tire of watching the flaming onion volcano and the food is good. They love the kids steak and shrimp dinners and I like that I can order from the sushi bar. Everyone's happy... except of course my 5-year old who is terrified of the "big fire" but she's got her routine down of going to "visit" the Japanese humming birds when the fire comes.........
Alexandra Wells:
The Boxcar Cantina in Greenwich and Korean restaurant Egame in Stamford are two family favorites of ours. At Boxcar, my 8 yr old loves the trio of soft tacos with Niman Ranch beef, my 10 year old the Mexican pizza and the quesadilla and my 5 yr old the chicken tenders (he's not a Mexican fan). My favorite is the blackened salmon burrito with cucumber and dill. Egame is a Korean barbeque restaurant so certain menu items are grilled at the table. We all love the Bul Go Gi (thin sliced rib eye in a soy marinade grilled and served with DIY lettuce wraps, rice, yummy sauces and kimchee), also the Bi Bim Bop (Korean take on fried rice served in a hot stone bowl, spicy, delicious), the Jap Chae noodle appetizer and the dumplings are mandatory.
Jenny Vynerib:
1. My 9 year old Coco just raved about Southport Brewery's "fabulously creamy" mac and cheese with a side of fruit salad. It came with a drink and icecream and a little dink toy cell phone that my kids have been carrying around ever since.
2. Tutti's "children's sized" entrees are larger than any grown man can finish off, and they are delicious. They price them for kids at the lunch menu price- Coco gets a massive plate of chicken parmesean (which is only slightly smaller than the normal portion) which comes with a side of pasta, and it only costs around $7.50!
3. Sono Seafood - not so great in the winter, but in the warmer months - it's great to get a table outside and sit by the water. They have a good kids menu (equipt with crayons) from which my girls get the fish & chips (home made fried fish fillets and french fries) for $5-6. Kids can run around on the deck and feed the swans oyster crackers and other patrons don't frown b/c there's already so much chaos going on. As a side note - I love their fried clam bellies - real bellies - not the strips!
Jfood:
Well the jfood girls, or should I say young ladies, are both over 21. And their favorite restaurants to enjoy some great food in FC with the parents are Napa & Company, Barcelona, Sushi 25 in NC and Joe's Pizza.
Nancy Portman:
My kids (9,7,5) favorites are: Pepe's pizza in Fairfield; Kazu in Sono - great kids Bento box; The Black Duck in Westport for burgers, Coromandel in Sono- tandoori chicken and shrimp a big hit. For lunch - Matsu - they love the shrimp shumai.
Kerry Barlas:
Bobby Q's for the kids burger or Mac n cheese, 5 Guys for burgers and fries, La Salsa in Fairfield for quesadillas and rice, Elvira's in Westport for grilled cheese, chips and the beach vibe, and Four Brothers takeout chicken tenders. *Boys, happily limited in restaurant menu eating picks, ages 3 and 7.
Amy Sarbonowski:
My kids are 8 & 7. We eat at The Filling Station in NC: both get double cheeseburger, fries and vanilla shakes. We also eat at Planet Pizza in Darien, their #1 choice after sampling all around Fairfield. Large pizza, half peppperoni. And they love Fuji in Darien. Shrimp or chicken fried rice, veggies mixed in. They love to watch them cook. Huge entertainment factor.
Deanna Foster:
Olivia (age 10) votes for Border Grill in Westport. "It's real Mexican and always good!"
Chef Leticia:
I mostly cook at home, but when we eat out, we go to Bereket, the turkish restaurant behind the gas station. It is beyond casual. We also go to Omanel, a great Portuguese restaurant in Bridgeport.
Reader Comments (16)
When my 10 year old niece and 8 year old nephew came to visit last summer, they liked the pho at Pho Saigon in Bridgeport, but thought the air was stuffy. They loved Bankok Thai in Danbury. And of course, you can never go wrong with pizza. They got a real kick out of WALKING to Maiones in Fairfield for pizza. Walking to dinner is a suburban novelty. But the most fun food adventure was at home -- we ground the meat for burgers in an old 1950s hand-crank grinder.
Totally on the same wavelength as Ms. Kundrat re: Sycamore which is terrific.
Disagree with the Rosie rec's...the wait is too long for children, and it's too expensive. New Canaan Diner & Blind Charlie's (Scott's Corners, NY) are better for kids and breakfast.
Other good spots are BSF in Greenwich, Super Duper Weenie in FF, Via Sforza in Westport, Kazu in SoNo, Tengda (Darien location is great), Filling Station in New Canaan (you can down a PBR or a 'Gansett while the kids down milkshakes), Flipside is great for kids and adults alike. Had a nice brunch at 1020 Post and another at O'Neil's (kids loved the buffet, I loved the Bloody Mary's). Little Pub used to be great, have not heard good things in the 6 months since we've been. Pepe's is a good rec. Colony in Fairfield would be a good one too. Fat Cat in SoNo...terrific.
Oh, almost forgot...took my daughter to lunch last month @ LeFarm in Westport, and she loved it...though she said "Dad, next time I want to see the animals!"
Two Boots in Bridgeport, especially on Friday nights, is great for kids. The pizza is terrific and the live music entertains AND drowns out your kids, a double bonus! We also like El Coyote up in Monroe. They have a separate kids menu for fussy eaters, and kids eat free Monday through either Wednesday or Thursday.
Jfood: That is just outright MEAN. Any time you want to swith "kids" for dinner, just let me know.
My kids will be 4 and 6 later this summer. The Circle Diner in Fairfield is still their favorite (breakfast 3 times a day would be what they prefer!). The Bluebird Cafe, Cafe Modo Mio, Nicholas Roberts, and the Firehouse Deli are some other prime breakfast stops.
But when we aren't eating breakfast, pizza and pasta is the next best bet. Centro and Pizzeria Molto (before 5:30 pm) are our best bets.
@foley
It is the light at the end of the tunnel. When you can have a discussion with the kids about foie gras, sweetbreads, short ribs, oysters, how to caramelize onions, etc. it is a large smile event.
A new favorite for the younger daughter is Aloi in NC. And let's not forget the staple of their HS careers, Sushi 25 in NC. Rosies also makes the best sandwiches.
Ohh soo many to mention. I hope I have enough room here.
MacDaddy's in Georgetown! Great selection of mac and cheese - great for adults and kids!
Burger Bar in SoNo - fun and healthy burgers!
We love Capricio Cafe in Stamford with the kids - especially in warmer weather when you can eat outside. Great lighter Italian fare & delicious gelato and crepes.
Coalhouse Pizza in Stamford is another favorite, but not for the pizza. We loooove the mac & cheese & salads for the little one.
Now we haven't actuallly taken our kids to Luc's Cafe in Ridgefield, but it's one of our favorite places and every time I go I see plenty of kids there. I love the thought of bringing the kids there and I plan to soon. It's such a fun festive place and the French fare is TDF!
I posted on this topic of kid-friendly dining in Fairfield County over at my blog awhile ago too. My readers made some great recomendations...http://fairfieldcountychild.blogspot.com/2008/04/really-kid-friendly-restaurants.html
I'm going to second Burger Bar in Sono although it's a little pricey
Macdaddy's in Georgetown has been closed for months.
I had no idea about MacDaddy's! When did it close? Thanks for the correction @kbfood
We always love Fat Cat and Valencia Luncheria. Also, you can't beat Elvira's Deli in Westport, you can grab a Greek Chicken salad wrap, and sit at the beach, what's not to love?!
Our kids rotation used to include Connolly's (best salad bar), Glynn's, DeRosa's Firehouse Pizza, Ships Inn Chinese, Breakaway - Fairfield, Ash Creek Saloon - Blackrock, John Harvard's (kids supersized brownies with ice cream), a mexican restaurant 2d floor Parker Harding plaza, Bertucci's.
it still includes Bogey's, Vi"s, Dunville's (train), Southport Brewing, Jasmine (takeout), Elvira's, Angelina's.
This website has a listing of restaurants that have weekly free entertainment for kids. www.CTrestaurantENTERTAINERS.com
I am intrigued by LeFarm in Westport, will have to check that out. With a 1 year old and a 4 year old boy, it's slim pickings - we need good food, FAST Places we've had good experiences at are:
Black Rock Tavern (kids were eating free, but don't see banner out front anymore), Flipside and The Fairfield Cafe (great for the kids, good food, they don't mind if the kids run around, or all over the booths like my 4 year old!). Have not had a good experience at Colony, went last Sunday at 4:45 with another family waited 1 hr for the pizza, ridiculous with little ones.
I have to echo several people (Amy Kundrat and CTburgerlover) who have already recommended the Sycamore. The service is speedy and my my son loves it there. Great shakes, burgers and rootbeer floats.
I also would recommend the Old Heidelberg on Route 6 in Bethel for a change of pace and great authentic German fare. On a nice evening, you can sit outdoors in the biergarten and there is an assortment of ride on toys that kids can play on (note that kids sometimes would rather play than eat though!). The atmosphere is very laid back and family friendly.
Check out www.CTrestaurantENTERTAINERS.com for a listing of Restaurants in CT thjat have FREE weekly entertainmetn for kids. There is way too much publicity about restaurants that have entertainment for ADULTS but not much for kids.
Tengda in Milford,CT
Hands down Our family fav.
A real Crowd pleaser..My 10 year old can order hibatchi from our own table while we all enjoy the best spicey tuna rolls Ever! We can walk over to the Sushi chef too see whats fresh and different and my husband can usually see one of the nearby televisions for a quick glance at a score!
Everybody wins!