Seeking Baby-Friendly Restaurants
Mamas, where have you gone with the little itty-bitty baby to enjoy dinner out? Liz emails:
I have an 11 week old and the husband and I are trying to take advantage of this time when she is still portable to eat out – what are some baby friendly restaurants around town? We have been to Screen Door a few times and since it is very noisy in there, no one ever seems to notice if she cries – BUT no changing table in the bathrooms so I improvised and changed her on the benches outside. Any other favorites for urbanMamas that get sick of being cooped up in the house?
Peanut Butter and Ellie's! They serve family friendly happy hour now and the owner is one of the warmest, friendliest people you will ever meet!
http://www.peanutbutterellies.com/
Posted by: Cindy | November 12, 2007 at 05:15 PM
i have generally found that all restaurants are baby friendly. mind you, i haven't tried such establishments as hubers....
But, generally speaking, people have been very accommodating of my little girl and me.
Posted by: kirsten | November 12, 2007 at 06:45 PM
Taqueria Nueve is good for kids-although it is never listed that way on City Search and others. They are very accomodating to people with kids, have quick service and a noisy enough environment for the little ones. It is busy, so go early or with a group of 6 or more with a reservation. Also, Mamma Mia is a good one with the young ones.
Posted by: Adriane | November 12, 2007 at 07:13 PM
The Fleur de Lys bakery in the Hollywood District is terrific. Changing table in bathroom, sofa area for relaxing, outdoor tables in a relatively protected area in good weather, and some people who work at (run?) the place who used to be in the child care business and - if they've got some free time - will heap more love on your baby than you do.
Old Wives Tales is good for all ages of kids.
If you are ever out in Gresham, try a Middle Eastern deli called Selma's. I don't think Selma, the owner, has ever met a baby that she didn't immediately whisk into her arms and spend the next hour with. Babies love Selma. So does everyone else.
Posted by: catmom | November 12, 2007 at 07:33 PM
we LOVE pause on interstate! however, they don't have changing tables either. they're food is fantastic though and as baby gets older, kids eat free! another favorite is gravy on mississippi st. there's a large dresser in the women's bathroom that's worked as a great changing table in a pinch. they also have a couple of buckets of kids toys for the urchins.
Posted by: rae ann | November 12, 2007 at 07:34 PM
A few restaurants we love that all have great food, quick service, casual environment and friendly staff...Justa Pasta (NW), PepperTree Thai (Raleigh Hills), Sushi Train (Tualatin).
Posted by: Ana | November 12, 2007 at 07:42 PM
vita cafe in NE, Laughing planet on belmont and woodstock (and also somewhere else), PBandEs, the barley mill on hawthorne
Posted by: sara | November 12, 2007 at 08:42 PM
Tin Shed on Alberta is generally pretty loud inside so a fussy baby wouldn't be noticed much. They have two unisex bathrooms and at least one has a changing table. There is the covered patio (heated during colder seasons) outside as well, but I find it's nicer in the summer when it's not enclosed in the pseudo-tent siding.
Posted by: TJ | November 12, 2007 at 08:53 PM
Zell's Cafe on Morrison is a very friendly breakfast place to take a toddler. They brought food right of way (everybody gets scones) and they brought our son a basket of toys to play with! It was great!
When he was smaller, and more apt to be loud, we liked Mio Sushi on Hawthorne. It is pretty loud in there anyway, and our son found a lot of things to look at.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | November 12, 2007 at 09:01 PM
Salvador Mali's in SW, Chez Jose in SW, Ken's Artisan Pizza on NE 28th, La Buca on NE 28th.
Posted by: lilah | November 12, 2007 at 10:12 PM
Just a warning about PB&Es. As a new mom I went and was totally overwhelmed by the craziness. It's loud, busy, and full of kids. If you're not fully entrenched in that world yet, it can be a bit much! I haven't been to many of the other places mentioned here that are really noted to be kid friendly, so I don't know how they are. I don't mind a little noise around me for eating, but too much still makes me anxious. What I found has worked well for us is to go to places during the quieter hours. Dinner at 5 in any restaurant can be very different than dinner at 6. And I love take-out. All the benefits of eating out (no prep, little clean-up, etc) but in the quiet of my own kitchen. That doesn't help if you're really looking to get out, but there's a time and place for it.
Posted by: mom22 | November 12, 2007 at 10:19 PM
Sip 'n Kranz (sp?) in The Pearl is great for a light very casual meal (yummy soups, sandwiches, breakfast), a playroom and changing tables in both bathrooms. It's more a coffee house but I love having lunch with my 3 month old there. Milo City on Broadway in NE, Cup n Saucer in both NE & SE very good for babies. Happy Eats!
Posted by: Erika Plummer | November 12, 2007 at 10:32 PM
And then there is the Laurelwood, with two play areas.
My husband and I love good food, and most of the child-friendly restaurants are, well, just O.K.
So, we continue to go to our favorite restaurants...the theory being that the more she is exposed to 'sophistication',the more comfortable she'll be with it.She is not two yet, but so far so good.
The only drawback so far...I always feel compelled to clean up the floor around the high chair. So, there I am, on all fours....
Posted by: Lea | November 13, 2007 at 12:14 AM
we love Perry's on Fremont in NE. the owners are warm and welcoming and always seem to be delighted to see young children. the wait staff are fabulous and happily accomodate any of our needs. the women's bathroom is the only one with a changing table, so one waitress watched the door for my husband while he changed our son. they also have a full bar which we have found to be our saviour after a trying day.
Posted by: martha | November 13, 2007 at 07:06 AM
Try the Cheesecake Factory in Washington Square! YUM!
I've also, like one of the other posters, had good luck at many restaurants with a small baby. Many of the restaurants in the Pearl are fine for kids (especially if you can sit outside--nice in the summer). I was actually quite pleased that many restaurants that I thought would be for grown-ups are baby accomodating.
Enjoy dinner!
Posted by: Kristi | November 13, 2007 at 08:43 AM
Although I like the food at Taqueria Nueve, I don't think it's kid friendly. The service is slow, and although they nicely brought us chips for the kids to eat with the guacamole we ordered, they only brought us three. Three chips! For two children!
I understand that they don't want to be just another Mexican restaurant but more of a high cuisine kind of place, and I respect that. But I was misled into thinking TN would be an ok place for kids, and it really isn't.
Posted by: zinemama | November 13, 2007 at 09:19 AM
On the other hand, I think it's a whole lot easier eating out with an infant than with a squirmy toddler. You can get away with a little baby just about anywhere; no need to seek out kid-friendly places specifically.
Posted by: zinemama | November 13, 2007 at 09:20 AM
Maybe part of Taqueria Nueve working for me is the fact that we've been going there for several years with the same squirmy, loud baby-toddler-preschooler and they have learned to get us out of there quickly and keep him fed!
Sorry to hear you did not have such luck.
Posted by: Adriane | November 13, 2007 at 09:41 AM
I like Bob's Red Mill in the Milwaukie/Clackamas area for breakfast (which I believe they serve until 3PM). It's casual and busy, but even better, it's easily accessible - the aisles are big enough for strollers, and they have automatic doors, which makes the logistics considerably easier than a lot of places. They also have lots of high chairs. As an added bonus, I usually do a little shopping on my way out.
Posted by: Sara | November 13, 2007 at 10:38 AM
try imbibe on hawthorne, awesome. couches & very kid-friendly. Great happy hour too.
Posted by: alichae | November 13, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Thanks!! Lots of good suggestions and places I haven't been to yet. We are definitely foodies, so quality of the food is just as important as the atmosphere to us. We did try Fenouil on my birthday (husband called and asked if a 10 wk old was welcome) and they were accomodating, but when she cried it was pretty noticable in the quiet dining room!
Posted by: Liz | November 13, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Unless you go to a candle-lit spot like Morton's, almost all Portland restaurants will work with a little one. The best advice is to go early - so those who are looking for quiet romance aren't likely to be there yet. If the baby is really loud, you can always ask for a doggy bag and head home. The more you do it now, the better she will be about eating out when she's older. Our 2 1/2 year old is great at restaurants since he's been exposed to the environment since birth. Good Luck.
Posted by: J in Beaverton | November 13, 2007 at 12:19 PM
Gino's in Sellwood (SE 13th and Spokane, one block south of Tacoma). They have great Italian food, great atmosphere, friendly service (including the warm and welcoming owner) and they bring a food plate to little ones right away without even having to ask for it. The plate has fruit and cheese, but it also has nuts or peanut butter, which we aren't giving our little guy yet, so you might want to request they hold that if you're in the same boat.
Posted by: Cheyenne | November 13, 2007 at 01:49 PM
I also didn't find Taqueria Nueve to be at all accomodating to children. We went pre-baby, and went twice with kiddo, and havne't been back since he was an infant (he's now 3).
I second Mamma Mia's downtown...we went for my birthday with a 3 yr old and a 4 month old and it was fantastic. Here is the list of the places we go regularly: Chez Jose in NE Broadway --has free kids meals before 7ish. Gustav's on NE Sandy, we sit in the pub area and it's always loud. Laurelwood...both pizza place and the brewery on Sandy. We've been to La Buca on 28th many times, Salvador Molly's on Belmont and SW, and they are GREAT for kids, Pastini Pastaria on Broadway...just to name a few. I have started calling ahead to places that I'm not sure like kids, and generally from the answer they give me I can tell whether or not they tend to have kids. If they don't usually have kids but are definitely accomodating on the phone, then we usually will try it once or twice!
Definitely go out now while you can because it gets much harder when #2 comes along!!! :)
Posted by: Laura | November 13, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Grandma Leeth's in the Cedar Hills area is fabulous! They have a great kids area that is staffed with "attendants" and fresh, yummy and healthy food. My son had his soccer team party there and we all enjoyed it. Both my 3 and 6 year old boys played happily while all the adults ate appetizers. They have a very nice web site, too...just google "Grandma Leeths"!
The only negative is the location...kind of a junky strip mall, but if you can look beyond that, it's a great place.
I think we've outgrown PB &E's and I agree that during peak times, it's a bit crowded. Not great if you have kids who are older than toddler-age. I feel the same way about Sip-n-Kranz...great when it's an off peak time, but way too crowded during the lunch hour.
Posted by: Karen | November 13, 2007 at 02:28 PM
I second Gino's in Sellwood. They not only bring a small plate of food right away, they will make almost any meal in a kid sized portion. Laughing Planet on Woodstock is also great - the dinosaurs are entertaining everytime.
Posted by: Nicki | November 13, 2007 at 03:23 PM
We love It's a Beautiful Pizza on Belmont. Lots of space and really good pizza.
And I've been to Taqueria Nueve with kids and had a great experience. I know one of the owners, Stephen Speiser, and he is a great dad himself, so if you don't have a good experience, just tell him and I'm sure he will accomodate (and will send a few more chips your way).
Posted by: Kristin | November 13, 2007 at 07:51 PM
We are huge fans of ChaChaCha on Fremont. Our daughter, now 14 mo old, loves re-fried beans & rice & they are always quick to give us a little bowl of it as soon as we sit down (with a little spoon, no less). We first went there when she was less than 6 months old; I think I nursed her at the table & no one batted an eye.
Posted by: Susan in OR | November 14, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Debby Downer here to say that the angel baby that you take out at 2 years old, is very different than the hellion that slightly resembles them at 4 years old.
So if you have a relatively peaceful baby, go out NOW! a lot! take pictures! Maybe even film it! Cause, baby, when that worm turns it's all about applebees and laurelwood and PB&Es.
Sorry just had a flashback!
Posted by: ProtestMama | November 14, 2007 at 05:17 PM
I forgot to mention (but see someone else did!) Cup & Saucer in NE on Killingsworth. Lots of families with little ones, multiple high chairs available, and they have a little box/tote of toys and books I remember seeing. Chez Jose on Broadway also pretty kid-friendly.
Posted by: TJ | November 14, 2007 at 08:28 PM
I third Gino's. Great 'New York style' italian food. Very family friendly.
Posted by: Lea | November 15, 2007 at 01:35 AM
Pearl District options:
Park Kitchen - owner has two kids, staff are great and the 'off menu' childs pasta is the best
Fratelli - owner recently became a Dad, staff are great at making up menu items
Fullers - teddy bear pancake isn't on the menu, but you can request it. Also has booster seat.
Isabels - kids menu is excellent. Check out the fruit face pancake.
Hot Lips Pizza - especially when you can sit outside
Silk - owners have two kids, staff are great
Blue Hour - in warm weather, on loading dock, off happy hour menu
Pearl Bakery - the best PBJ
Posted by: Nancy | November 15, 2007 at 10:21 AM
I will 3rd Gino's in Sellwood as a very baby (we only have a 6 month old so far) friendly place. When the in-laws come to town they stay in Sellwood and we eat there 3 or 4 times a week with them and love it.
Mississippi Pizza is also great. I went (with my daughter) to see a friend's band play there and felt like I'd wandered into a 2 year old's birthday party. A friend who lives in the neighborhood says she feels sorry for people who go there who don't have kids.
I will say that our experience has been that most mid-level places in town are perfectly fine for babies. We'll see how things change once she's mobile for the next few months I'm not going to worry too much about it.
Posted by: SWNewDad | November 16, 2007 at 09:23 PM
I definitely have to second the Vita Cafe...especially in the summer, as they have a bocce court. Not that I've ever actually seen anyone really playing bocce, but what usually happens is all the kids run up and down the court, while their parents get to sit down and knock back some drinks...I mean, keep an eye on the kids and wait for the food. Between 5 and 7pm, everything on the kids menu is $1--I so don't feel bad when they don't eat a $2 meal, it's probably less than I would have spent on groceries anyway. I believe they also do Wednesday night "happy hours" which is more menu specials than actual drinks. Mmm...cheap, healthy food. One thing to mention, though, the bocce court is basically a big, hard sandbox. DON'T SIT NEXT TO IT!!! You will be tempted. You will say to yourself, "Well, if I sit next to the court I can keep an eye on little Johnny." Yes, you can, but you'll also be keeping an eye on all the dust that flies off of the court onto your beautiful thai pasta.
Posted by: KIM | November 17, 2007 at 02:17 PM
We've had luck at:
The Heathman - They put down paper on the floor which is great if you have a food & bottle thrower and the staff is always very friendly and flirtatious with Baby, keeping her entertained
Nancy's on NW Glisan - Open for breakfast and lunch. They also have casseroles which is great when you don't want to cook
Jake's Famous - We always go at 5-5:30, the staff is friendly, they provide fast service (especially if you tell them you're on the clock for baby), put bread on the table for snacking and if Baby has a meltdown will provide boxes for a quick escape (we've done this a couple of times).
Posted by: k | November 18, 2007 at 05:13 PM
I made an Excel spreadsheet of all these restaurants, plus some more than I added myself. If you're interested in getting it, email me at gildenjen at google dot com and I'll send it to you!
Posted by: Jennifer | November 20, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Oops, I meant at gmail.com, not google.com! Oh well, the spammers will be extra confused!
Posted by: Jennifer | November 20, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Just ate at Jace Gace on 21st and Belmont. Sorry, no accents on the name. It is a waffle place but oh so good. My 18 month son had the run of the place and the staff was wonderful. I would rather eat somewhere where the food is good for the adults as well as the kids. I think this one does it right. Also they have an art installation, a cardboard tank, right now. Worth checking out before the end of the month.
Posted by: plain jane | December 18, 2007 at 09:26 PM
A few additions...
Cha on NW 21st & Everett (happy hour for you & bean & cheese burritos for the little ones)
St Honore on NW Thurman
I haven't taken my daughter there for dinner but Wildwood is great with kids during the lunch hour.
JoBar & Papa Hayden on NW 23rd
The Country Cat in SE (dinner is free for little ones under a certain age on Sunday eve)
Le Bistro Montage under the Morrison Bridge (brunch & dinner although dinner isn't served until 6)
Veritable Quandry in SW
Mother's in SW has a play area (partner restaurant, Mama Mia, mentioned above)
Obviously better to go on the early side.
Posted by: k | December 20, 2010 at 07:32 PM