Toddler-friendly restaurant in Bethesda

[Anonymous]

OP here, I was ready to book Jaleo but 15:37, you've given me pause.

I do not want a place that will hurry us out. DA (dear advisor) is not used to going out with kids (no grandkids yet) so I want a place that will not make us feel unwelcome.

I understand that Bethesda might not be the best place to look for but I need a combination of access for us to get there on time after work (coming from Rockville and Germantown) and for them (out-of-towners who will be taking the metro up.) We are having an early dinner (6:30) because of DA's health issues and DD's bedtime so we need to take rush hour into account.

DA loves good food but has been known to be happy with average. I am a bit more concerned about location and toddler-friendliness than the food.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Will look into them.

[Anonymous]

From Washingtonian's Top 100 Restaurants:

Grapeseed - I've been there - the food is really good, as is the wine. Good place for foodies, and, at least the Washingtonian says, it is kid-friendly.
Passage to India - one of my fave Indian restaurants in the area - And again, Washingtonian says kid-friendly - and I've seen toddlers there.

FWIW, Washingtonian also said that Jaleo was kid-friendly, which I don't believe is true, so YMMV.

[Anonymous]

I agree that Bethesda restaurants are more "solid" than spectacular. I would add Raku and Guardado's to the list, for what it's worth.

[Anonymous]

PP here. We recently went to Black Salt and ordered fish sticks off the children's menu for DD. I was blown away by the freshness and tastiness of her entree. Both DH and I were hoping she wouldn't finish them because the quality was on par with what we ordered. The side dish was tender vegetable medley (green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, etc...). The presentation was lovely. I really was amazed at the care they took over her food and the price was reasonable ($8).

[Anonymous]

Y'know, it's great, guys, that everyone loves Blacksalt - but original poster specifically stated that she wanted something Metro-accessible - Palisades just isn't it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From Washingtonian's Top 100 Restaurants:

Grapeseed - I've been there - the food is really good, as is the wine. Good place for foodies, and, at least the Washingtonian says, it is kid-friendly.
Passage to India - one of my fave Indian restaurants in the area - And again, Washingtonian says kid-friendly - and I've seen toddlers there.

FWIW, Washingtonian also said that Jaleo was kid-friendly, which I don't believe is true, so YMMV.

I have to disagree on both of these, I am afraid - I thought the food at Grapeseed was good but not great, and it was very pricey. We didn't have kids with us, but it was small, tables close together, and pretty formal, almost snooty, so I cannot imagine it would be very kid-friendly?

I went to Passage to India for the first time this weekend and was very disappointed. I had heard great things about it, but I found the flavours very bland and under-powered. Plus very expensive for food that really lacked the vibrancy of somewhere like Rasika. it was reasonably kid-friendly, but we were there are lunch when it was quiet so not a real test.

[Anonymous]

OP here, any other reviews of Guardado's?

[Anonymous]

15:54 here. I think Guardado's was opened by someone who used to work at Jaleo, so it has good tapas, plus some South American dishes like pupusas and lomo saltado. The atmosphere is a little "nicer" than Jaleo (white tablecloths, less noise), but the staff/owners are also very warm, and have been welcoming when we brought a toddler (who was happy to eat rice and fried potatoes). I have only tried the small dishes, but we've been very happy and overall I'd say it's one of my favorite places in Bethesda.

Here is a review from the Post from a couple of years ago--

http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/guardados,1136931/critic-review.html

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much everyone for your opinions and advice.

I have reserved a table at Guardado's. Looking forward to it!

[Anonymous]

Cafe M
Sushi Ko

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda is not much of a foodie destination - you would be better off somewhere like wheaton for cheap great ethnic food or DC for better restaurants. Almost everywhere is very child friendly though.

Jaleo is good, Mon Ami Gabi also OK, Le pain quotidien, Lebanese Taverna.

Huh? There are a hundred restaurants in Bethesda. OP, try this site - http://www.bethesda.org/dining/diningdatabase.asp

Yeah, there are, and very few are any good. Child friendly, yes - good to very good food, no.

[Anonymous]

Unless its warm enough to eat outside, I'm not a fan of Raku. I always feel packed in and rushed whenever its just DH and I, I can't imagine going there with both DCs. Jaleo's another outside only with toddlers place for me.

DH and I had brunch at Redwood with the kids and it was very nice.

I've also taken DCs to RiRa of all places. At first I was skeptical. My kids+bar=good time? Yeah right. But my friend wanted to grab some lunch and she is friendly with the owner who apparantly has a rambunctious toddler of his own. I was pleasantly surprised. The food wasn't bad and noone batted an eye about my bunch being there (or me having to nurse DS).

[Anonymous]

Rio Grande, totally kid friendly, as is Austin Grill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda is not much of a foodie destination - you would be better off somewhere like wheaton for cheap great ethnic food or DC for better restaurants. Almost everywhere is very child friendly though.

Jaleo is good, Mon Ami Gabi also OK, Le pain quotidien, Lebanese Taverna.

Huh? There are a hundred restaurants in Bethesda. OP, try this site - http://www.bethesda.org/dining/diningdatabase.asp

Yeah, there are, and very few are any good. Child friendly, yes - good to very good food, no.

I bet you're a barrel of laughs to dine with. Snob.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless its warm enough to eat outside, I'm not a fan of Raku. I always feel packed in and rushed whenever its just DH and I, I can't imagine going there with both DCs. Jaleo's another outside only with toddlers place for me.

DH and I had brunch at Redwood with the kids and it was very nice.

I've also taken DCs to RiRa of all places. At first I was skeptical. My kids+bar=good time? Yeah right. But my friend wanted to grab some lunch and she is friendly with the owner who apparantly has a rambunctious toddler of his own. I was pleasantly surprised. The food wasn't bad and noone batted an eye about my bunch being there (or me having to nurse DS).

I agree Jaleo is outside only with kids, but if you can get a booth at Raku I think there's plenty of room and I've never felt rushed (although I admit I like it best for lunch). We've also been to RiRa a couple of times and been surprisingly happy there.