Thursday, August 14, 2008

Go ahead, go out for dinner - with your 1 year old

If your a self-prescribed foodie like my wife and I, then finding a great local restaurant to frequent is key to sanity and survival in the suburbs. But I admit it isn't always easy to do with a little one in tow. But that is OK!! PLEASE, don't let it stop you from eating dinner outside of the house or, more importantly, out of the car. IMYHO, if you're in a major metropolitan city like we used to be, it's usually easy to find a new spot every week to fit your (and your little one's) gastronomic needs because everyone is doing it, but if you're in the suburbs, finding a good spot that welcomes kids and is worth the effort of lugging the baby (and all the gadgets and gizmos that come along with eating out) is certainly a challenge ... then having your 1yr old behave so you can go back there again without sending the servers running for the hills is another.

ODO Solution: Take your child out to dinner beginning at a very early age. They will learn to enjoy the noise, crowds and the new environment much better than a child who is not used to dining out. We have been taking our little guy out to dinner since he was 2 weeks old (but that's another topic.)

Tips from One Dad:
- Branch out!! Please, please, please don't rely on chain restaurants like Applebees and Chile's to round out your "big night out" fare. While these spots are good sometimes (well, once a year IMHO), don't be afraid to choose a local place or a new hot spot -- just be realistic and smart about how you do so.
- Choose an early reservation. You know your child's "witching hour" so work around it. For out family, as long as we are seated before 6:30 p.m., many dining establishments will be accommodating. We always aim for 6 p.m. -- late enough so we avoid eating with the early-bird AARP-crowd, but early enough that we don't scare off those who are dining without kids and are looking for a peaceful meal.
-Try going on a Monday or Tuesday -- early in the week, you'll typically find less crowds.
-Ignore the cranky on-lookers. There were so many times we'd take our infant to dinner with us and people would SCOWL and stare us down. They were afraid a screaming child would ruin their meal. However, because our little guy was so used to going out to eat, he never misbehaved at all! (Or in the handful of times he wasn't a happy camper, we simply took him outside and walked him around to avoid interrupting anyone's dinner). It is so funny how many people would visit our table after their meal to say how shocked they were at our baby's ability to sit through dinner....ahhhh, they always come around!
-Keep your little on in your lap talking or playing with them until your food arrives. This helps eliminate too much time in the highchair and also makes them feel like a part of the experience.
- Bring snacks/dinner for them and have it ready to go as soon as the appetizers arrive.
- Keep it clean! We've found these really cool disposable bibs (earth friendly) and "stick on" place mats that keep the eating surface clean and the food in place.
- For older kids, let them order a special drink (e.g. virgin frozen drink or shirley temple) to start the meal; then they will feel like they are a part of the experience
- Tip your waiter/waitress a little extra, especially if they help speed up the food process
-Remember to be patient ... it's hard work and at times you'll have to ask for your meal to go, but that's short lived... in the near future, you'll have young children that will be able to dine with you rather than just grabbing fast food with them.

NYC Restaurant Suggestion of the Week: DEAN'S, Upper West Side - Family-friendly Italian restaurant that serves pizza, salads and pasta in family style dishes; the prices are quite reasonable for the portions and the place is often filled with families/kids at all hours.

North Jersey Restaurant Suggestion of the Week : PANEVINO - Livingston NJ - Great Italian food, Laid back atmosphere. In the summer they have an outside patio. http://www.rapatina.com/panevinoNJ/

Washington, D.C. Restaurant Suggestion of the Week: Sequoia - Georgetown - Fresh seafood, big restaurant with an upscale feel but relaxed environment; the food is average, but the atmosphere is great! They have outdoor dining right on the water and it's a must in the summer/spring. Your little one can watch the boats pass while you enjoy a cold beer.