FTM here - what restaurants do you take your infants/toddlers to in the DC area?

[Anonymous]

FTM here with a 5 week old. DH and I just successfully went out to dinner for the first time with the baby. We went to Comet Pizza in DC. It felt like such a victory and I'd like to have a list with restaurants that are appropriate to bring children.

I am wondering what restaurants in the DC area folks recommend for those with infants and toddlers. The type of place where they won't mind strollers, car seats, and or if she starts crying (and hopefully we can soothe her). It seems that places with a good noise level can help disguise baby crying. We like all types of food and restaurants, as long as the food is good - pizza, chinese, thai, ethiopian, american food, etc. Also, if you have any advice on how to bring children to a restaurant please let me know.

Thanks for the collective knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Guapo's was always very sweet and accommodating to kids. Cactus Cantina, too - the kids love to watch the tortilla maker. Try to go when it's not insanely packed though so they don't get in the way of the waiters.

[Anonymous]

Missed the part about how to deal with kids in a restaurant. Start taking them early. Go when they are well rested. Bring things they like to do and some backup snacks you know they'll like in case they reject what is ordered. Don't go when the restaurant is busy and you will have a long wait. And as the kids get older, make your behavioral expectations clear. It won't always go smoothly but eventually they'll catch on. My 5 year old is a delightful restaurant companion now because we refused to stay home from day 1 and ignored the kid haters.

[Anonymous]

2 Amy's
Ted's Bulletin (either location)
The Diner in Adam's Morgan gives out crayons and coloring sheets to kids (yours is a little young for that but good to know for the future).

[Anonymous]

I used to live by Cactic Cantina and Cafe Deluxe in NW and they were great with kids and I loved their food. Happy dining!

[Anonymous]

Go when it's not peak time for the restaurant so you don't have to deal with crowds. One parent has to be willing to get up and take the kid outside if he or she is crying and needs a break. Agree with the PP who said keep taking them out. As they get older set realistic limits and bring little toys/snacks/IPhone -- yes, we have whipped out the IPhone when the kid gets really fussy.

[Anonymous]

When our baby was that age she was pretty portable in the car seat. I took her everywhere for lunch. i just made sure i had a bottle on hand, and had them deliver the check with the main course in case i needed to scarf it down (or shovel it into a takeout box) and run... neither of which really happened til she was a bit older. For dinners the same... except for really fancy or bar-like places, or places that require a wait on line. Any Indian, chinese, italian places worked for us.

[Anonymous]

At 5 weeks, anywhere casual, not very fancy. Do it now as it is harder at toddler age.

[Anonymous]

Almost any restaurant at 5pm.

[Anonymous]

Ditto on the Diner! We've been bringing my daughter there for breakfast on Saturdays since she was 8 or 9 months old, and she loves it. Meridian Pint is also fabulous with kids.

[Anonymous]

We've had good experiences at Sette, Alero, Odeon, Bistrot du Coin, Trio, Taan--pretty much anywhere relatively casual. We tend to go early in the evening--5:00 or 5:30. Bonus points for fast service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At 5 weeks, anywhere casual, not very fancy. Do it now as it is harder at toddler age.

+1 It's easier when they're little and you can just wear them in a sling or baby carrier. When they want to crawl and walk (and run) around, it's a little harder to corral them -- that's when you go to bigger restaurants where there is some room for the kid to walk around (with a parental escort, of course).

Pete's Apizza is great for kids. Also have had good experiences with kids at Shake Shack.

[Anonymous]

At five weeks, they can go almost anywhere that is not a true fine dining restaurant. Later, anywhere with high chairs is fair game, the earlier, the better. We live on Capitol Hill and almost everywhere is family-friendly at brunch or 5 pm.

I echo the suggestion to take them young and get them used to it. Set behavior expectations early and they'll learn. Time it well (post-nap, pre-bedtime) and come prepared (snack/milk/small toy as appropriate).

FWIW, we do not walk our children around a restaurant to entertain them. I find that's usually a distraction to other diners and in any event, it doesn't teach them how to sit still and be patient.

[Anonymous]

I took my son everywhere at that age. We went early or on weeknights and it was fine. All ethnic restaurants are great. We even did lunch at restaurant eve! It's when the turn one that things get hairy... But go often and your child will be a model dinner companion!

[Anonymous]

All the same ones we went to pre kids. With a newborn they're barely even there. With my toddler, we bring a pad of blank paper and a pack of crayons. Also, between ordering and when the food comes, one of us takes her on a walk to the front of the restaurant.