The 3 restaurants to which you take your family most frequently

[Anonymous]

We stay close to home, and we live in Falls Church City.

Our top three:

Anthony's
Clare & Don's Beach Shack
Dogwood Tavern

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We rarely go out to eat. And my son doesn't like pizza, so our favorite divey places are out. But when we do we tend to go to Silver Diner, Stray Cat, or yes...McDonalds.

Honestly, after seeing the "kids menu" at most restaurants, I don't think twice about going to McDonalds for an occasional meal. Some nuggets, milk and apple slices don't seem worse (and probably better) then a lot of the stuff at nicer restaurants. And then my son gets to run around and climb in the tubes. So it's a great bad weather lunch or dinner place. Ok, Ok, there is a germ factor. But I try not to obsess about germs.

why restrict your kids to those kid menus? at most restaurants there is usually much better food on the regular menu. we either share our meals with our kids or plan to bring home leftovers if the portions are too large.

[Anonymous]

Noodles and Co.
Applebee's
IHOP
Red Lobster
McDonald's

[Anonymous]

Our favorites are Tachibana in McLean, Dogwood Tavern in Falls Church and Taqueria el Poblano in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

If your kids like Chinese food try A&J in Rockville (and ther is one in VA). It is the best Chinese food around--cheap as hell and completely authentic. Great noodles and dumplings, scallion pancakes--and Bubble Tea! Our 6-year old twins love it, and whenever we have to be out that way we go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vidalia, The Palm and Komi-but my children are incredibly well behaved unlike most of the uncivilized brats I see everywhere.

Thanks to the folks who got the joke-not only was I poking fun at the OP but also anyone who takes their kids to restaurants that are clearly not for children. Not only is uncomfortable for your fellow diners, but why the heck what you put your own child through that? Do you take your kids to the blackjack tables in Vegas?

[Anonymous]

If your kids are well behaved and can handle it - why not. Why should McDonald's be the only place you expose them to? Maybe your kids can't handle it but my son since birth will sit for 1-2 hours at a meal no problem. We would never order off of a kids meal - he eats what we eat from salads to mains or we bring food/drinks - everyone is nice about it once he gives them his wonderful smile.

[Anonymous]

Our favorites as a family are:
Sakura (Japanese steakhouse)
Sushiyama
Famous Daves BBQ
Kids are 2 and 3.
For brunch we go everywhere but love Peacock Cafe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vidalia, The Palm and Komi-but my children are incredibly well behaved unlike most of the uncivilized brats I see everywhere.

Thanks to the folks who got the joke-not only was I poking fun at the OP but also anyone who takes their kids to restaurants that are clearly not for children. Not only is uncomfortable for your fellow diners, but why the heck what you put your own child through that? Do you take your kids to the blackjack tables in Vegas?

Maybe you should dare take a look a at these places before passing judgement. Jaelo or Zaytinya at lunch time are rather nice for children: not crowded, fully equipped for kids--high chairs, pencils, kids cups--and the small tapas portions that can be shared between kids and parents work well with them.

But on reflection it is surely more kids-friendly to stuff the juniors with cheese pasta, fries and chicken wings.

[Anonymous]

Coastal Flats
Boardwalk Pizza/frozen dairy bar
Rock Bottom Brewery
Red Lobster

[Anonymous]

Pines of Rome
Panera
Booeymonger

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We rarely go out to eat. And my son doesn't like pizza, so our favorite divey places are out. But when we do we tend to go to Silver Diner, Stray Cat, or yes...McDonalds.

Honestly, after seeing the "kids menu" at most restaurants, I don't think twice about going to McDonalds for an occasional meal. Some nuggets, milk and apple slices don't seem worse (and probably better) then a lot of the stuff at nicer restaurants. And then my son gets to run around and climb in the tubes. So it's a great bad weather lunch or dinner place. Ok, Ok, there is a germ factor. But I try not to obsess about germs.

why restrict your kids to those kid menus? at most restaurants there is usually much better food on the regular menu. we either share our meals with our kids or plan to bring home leftovers if the portions are too large.

Good point. Cost is a big factor. He wants his own meal and an adult meal is more expensive. We do share our meal with our son on the rare occassions we go out. But the real problem is that we made the horrible mistake of ordering him chicken tenders once and now that is what he wants.

[Anonymous]

Bonefish poster...what do you order for your kids?

[Anonymous]

Not pp, but Bonefish has an awesome kids menu. Our son gets the grilled chicken, and it is better than the regular adult dishes at most restaurants. Great veggies, too!

[Anonymous]

I don't think Zaytinya and Jaleo are too fancy for kids. Frankly it doesn't cost much less to go to the Silver Diner, and the food is a lot better. I wouldn't take them at 8pm on a Friday night, but 5:30 pm, sure.