Entertaining the Foodie Visitors
In recent weeks (months, years), we've had the pleasure of hosting friends and family who hail from our hometowns of San Francisco and New York. We've always been fond of eating out, and I find that there is no shortage of deliciousness to be had here in Portland. Even when we can't always manage to eat out, we still stay on top of the Portland gastronomy via our favorite Portland food blogs.
Of course, when we're entertaining out-of-towners, part of the purpose is to have them spend time with our girls. And, we are often inclined to eat out, even though we rarely now eat out with the girls since it's just that much more fun to make a big home-cooked meal and entertain at home. (Plus, the cost!)
So, where to go? There's "kid-friendly" with ample high chair stock and kid menus, but there's also "kid-welcoming" with staff who go out of their way to make the kids comfortable, quickly fed, and happy. For us, the key to enjoying dining out with the girls is to pick a spot where there is: 1) room to wiggle and spread out tons of paper for drawing, 2) attentive staff who understand that the kids' patience runs a bit shorter than the adults', 3) food and drink choices to make both the kids and adults happy, 4) an ambiance that allows for kids to make the noises that they make at the volume that they do, and 5) as little wait as possible.
Some of our great successes have been:
Gino's. Seeing as we live in Overlook and Gino's is in Sellwood, we find Gino's to be a bit further of an excursion. Still, it's great Italian food, and what kid doesn't love Italian? My girls could certainly eat the stuff day in, day out. The best thing about Gino's is that they immediately bring the kids individual platters of apples, cheese, and crackers. That is quick attention.
Nostrana. They don't take reservations unless your party is 6 or more, so try to score a reservation with a larger group. Waiting with hungry kids is not often a good idea. It appears that Nostrana knows that hungry kids are not happy kids because, like Gino's, they whisk out individual plates for the kids with cheese, apples, raisins, and this lovely, lovely nutella-esque dallop for dipping. The atmosphere is bustling and busy, so I don't mind if our kids are equally bustly or busy. They blend. A table near the front door on a nice days allows bigger kids to go play out on the patio once they're done nibbling.
Pause. This one is a new neighborhood joint, and the only link I could find to it was in BarFly. It should be noted, however, that it's not just a bar, it's really a full restaurant, something like a kid-friendly tavern or pub. What I loved about Pause and why I include it here, is that they immediately asked "what can I bring the kids?", like seriously at the moment we sat down. They offered butter noodles on-the-house. Sometimes, free butter noodles are the antidote for the hungry kids at 6pm.
We know lots of families who love Laurelwood (who wouldn't?), but the wait is often unbearable. Plus, we sometimes want something different than pub grub.
Mamabee just emailed:
Okay, so my foodie family is coming to town and usually that means big dinners at Portland's finest dining establishments. Now I have a beautiful little two month old, I am rather clueless as to where to go. What nice restaurants in town are cool with a quiet 2 month old? What about breastfeeding? Is it totally uncouth to nurse my little one under a shawl? Any suggestions?
Where have you had success with a nice dinner that pleased the adults AND the kids? Any establishments that you would avoid?
I love Papa Haydn on NW 23rd. It's a cozy place, has a nice kids menu and we always feel welcome. It's not a new or trendy place but I find the food to be consistently good with a nice range of options...sometimes we'll do burgers and salads, other times we go all out for an entree like scallops or steak. It's one of those rare places we can have a glass of wine, a good dinner and not feel like we're completely out of place with the kids. Plus, there are those amazing desserts!
Posted by: Karen | December 06, 2007 at 10:00 PM
Until DD was about 4 months, we took her everywhere. And I do mean everywhere. El Gaucho, ClarkLewis, etc. We'd go at 5pm so as not to disturb other patrons and had no problem. I should mention that DD was (note past tense) stellar in public at that time. She'd smile, coo and go right back to sleep after people admired her. We got away going to a lot of places simply because she was so easy.
El Gaucho works because you can put the carseat in the booth. ClarkLewis doesn't work well as you have to put baby on the floor (no highchairs). Serratto is wonderful with kids (the owners have young kid(s) and the staff is particularly friendly with little ones). We've done well at Papa Hayden's, Jo Bar, Wildwood, Jake's Famous and probably others I'm forgetting.
We've also found that most items work for takeout (sadly, oysters on the half shell are a no go). Most restaurants have menus online now and if we want a night out without going out, I'll call any number of places (including Ringside & Jake's F) and DH will go pick it up. True, there's more cleanup and it's not quite the same but there's not cooking, dinner is yummy and the wine costs a lot less!
Posted by: k | December 06, 2007 at 10:17 PM
I have breastfed just about everywhere in town you can think of. I nursed my oldest for one year and I'm now nursing my 6 month old. When they start eating solids I don't find the need to nurse while eating out but until then ... every time I've gone out I've nursed. My babies are always hungry when others are eating. I don't use a shawl or blanket but I'm discreet. I try to sit in a booth (can be too tight of a squeeze though) or with my back to a wall. I position my husband strategically. I'm not shy about it but don't want to offend and fuel the controversy surrounding public breastfeeding. My proudest moments are when someone notices after the fact that I just nursed my baby. I feel like saying "see, it isn't gross - it's natural!" You know, in Portland if we can wear fleece just about anywhere, we can nurse just about anywhere. My babies also slept at loud places - must be their way of blocking out the over-stimulation. My advice to you is this: go out, eat a great dinner at the same place you would go without baby. Enjoy it now while you can because kids go through lots of phases where it's just not reasonable or enjoyable to take them out to eat. Don't think twice about nursing wherever you go. Have fun for those of us who are past the point of enjoying a dinner out with the kids!
Posted by: Nic | December 06, 2007 at 10:58 PM
First of all, with a 2 month old, you're golden. That's the easiest time to go out! Take advantage of it now while you can! And yes, you can nurse just about anywhere, at least in my book. I never used a blanket or a shawl, but I'm not very, er, well-endowed shall we say? So it's pretty easy for me to be discrete. I wear layers, usually over a Belly Hugger (I fear people seeing my flabby tummy way more than my boob!) and the shirt on top keeps everything else covered up just fine.
As for specific restaurants, we went to the County Cat last weekend, and loved it! The staff was most accommodating and the food was delicious. They brought crayons and coloring pages/menus promptly, and bread for snacking on. And our food came out quickly. We didn't linger as there was a reservation for our table, but with a 3 year old, a 4 year old, and a squirmy 1-1/2 year old, we weren't going to be able to just sit for long after dinner anyway!
It is small-ish, so if you've got a larger group, I'd go early or make a reservation.
And a nice bonus, on Sunday nights, kids under 10 eat free!
http://www.thecountrycat.net/
Last year at the holidays, we took the whole out-of-town clan to Fife, on NE Fremont. I called first and asked if the "family-friendly" quote I saw in a review was accurate, and they said "Definitely." We did go early, but again, they were most accommodating and we had a fabulous meal. We had 4 boys between 8 months and 9 years old with us, and it went off without a hitch.
http://www.fiferestaurant.com/
Another place we've had good luck with the kids is Pho Van, both on Hawthorne and on 82nd. And I've heard good things about Sub Rosa, SE 26th and Clinton.
Posted by: jj | December 07, 2007 at 08:31 AM
I agree with above posters. Take advantage of this time! At 2 months, you can go practically anywhere! We've taken our 10-month-old to happy hour and brunch at Blue Hour with friends. Don't know how dinner there would work. But the staff was very accommodating and friendly.
Posted by: jbug | December 07, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Another great kid friendly restaurant is Perry's on NE Fremont. There are always tons of kids running around. Their desserts are amazing
Posted by: lisa | December 07, 2007 at 12:36 PM
I want to second the kid-friendly nature of Fife. I've taken my one year old there about ten times. The staff are just amazing and so is the food.
However, I have also taken my little one to Wildwood and I had a terrible experience with the staff. I swear the hostess gave me the evil eye when she saw I had an infant. Based on that experience, I would not consider going back there again if you have a young child.
Posted by: MtM | December 07, 2007 at 02:33 PM
I had lunch at Park Kitchen a few weeks back and although I didn't have a kid with me I would bring either of my kids, 18 mos & 4 years. It was fabulous food, lots of options if you have specific needs (and they were open to requests, too). What impressed me, besides the food, was how organized it was. I can't stand restaraunts where the staff appearantly thrive on drama. There was one host/waiter/bartender at lunchtime and he had everthing under control and all the tables were happy. I think it would be a good place to bring a kid because the vibe is just so happy and mellow.
Posted by: thisKat | December 07, 2007 at 02:38 PM
I third Fife. The owner/chef Marco Shaw is also just the kinda guy you want to support. It's been a while since I've been in as it is a haul for us, but last time I was there he was showing off his newish baby pictures - his child must be about 1.5 years old now? I'm aware that he has previously supported the local schools by auctioning himself as a chef for a night. He is all about local, organic, and sustainable. He's super friendly and loves Portland. Oh, and the food is great!
Posted by: betsy | December 07, 2007 at 03:21 PM
I have tried to take fancy-foodie-family to Higgins on a few occassions (three times, I think) and had an awful experience there if I show up with kids. It is top on my never-bring-the-kids-there list. The host gave us the evil eye the moment we opened the door and took of our coats for him to put in their closet. I swear he held my daughter's coat like it had the kiddie cooties. One time we went, it was our first year in PDX, and I had just had a special date taking our then-3-yr old to the OBT Nutcracker, and so many people had suggested we go to Higgins to round out our fanciful evening... Alas, no dice. Meanness to minors all around, it felt.
We have been to Park Kitchen with kids and it's awesome, especially if you can sit in their side/back dining area where there is more room to wiggle. We've also been to Wildwood with kids and it's been fine -- although not too much room, though staff were amenable to the kids. We have also been to Fife with kids and they have been so warm and accommodating.
We have been to clarklewis with the kids and it would have been a good spot for them (ample room and good noise level to mask their kiddie noise), but the food options weren't broad enough for kids.
We have been to Echo in the NE with the kids and it is way too cramped to be comfortable. We won't go there with kids again, though we really like Echo for cheap happy hour.
We have been to Paley's with the kids, but it's much too quiet and cozy in there for it to be comfortable for them.
With a nursing babe, I say try it all! And, with a good shawl or pashmina, you can nurse so many places.
I would definitely recommend trying to go early, like right at 5 and no later than 6, just so you don't have cranky babes and so establishments aren't that crowded. Tonight, we're going to try Toro Bravo with the kids. Hope we make it before the rush, as the place is not very large at all and we waited about an hour last time we went.
Posted by: olivia | December 07, 2007 at 03:22 PM
We've had really nice meals with our under 5 child at Carafe (located downtown). They have wonderful French bistro specialties and they've always been happy to make something off the menu for our little one. It can be a bit busy right before shows at Keller Auditorium.
Posted by: rees | December 07, 2007 at 03:47 PM
Perry's on Fremont. The best!!
Posted by: psa | December 07, 2007 at 07:25 PM
Just to second, third, etc. the comments about going out now while baby is so young and eating earlier, if possible. I did get a little anxious during those early months but it was more about the 'what if DD has a giant diaper explosion mid-meal?' than the breastfeeding (pack an extra set of clothes for baby!)
Breastfeeding is definitely harder in booths because you can't move a little to give yourself some arm room, so opt for a table/chairs arrangement. If you feel the need for a shawl, etc. for discretion and comfort, go for it...but I would advise against having your spouse or eating companions make a big deal out of shielding you or holding up a 'curtain', etc...I've seen some women try that and it always draws WAY more attention. I remember breastfeeding DD once and no one seemed to notice but half the restaurant was trying to figure out what was going on a few tables over with paranoid hubby holding up a curtain for his partner/baby.
Enjoy your dining!
Posted by: Rasa | December 08, 2007 at 01:00 AM
I have been to many of the above mentioned restaurants with my kids, and second the recommendation for Pho Van, Perry's, also Mamma Mia's and Gustav's (just got back from dinner there tonight). There are too many to list. We used to do it more when our first was younger, not so much now that baby #2 hits the sack by 6:30.
I have also breastfed anywhere, and just kind of do it. Many times I've been spoken to by waitstaff who have no idea that babe isn't just napping on my lap. So definitely do it while she is little and still in the baby carrier and will sleep through the meal!
I wanted to mention an unlikely place that I found to be incredibly child friendly (and their clientele were too...that was so surprising!) It's the City Grill, and I've taken my son there three times with "foodie" family. First time he was about 9 months, second time he was about 18 months, and last time he was 2 1/2. I was SO worried about how we would be treated with a baby in such a fancy place, but we went on a weeknight early and had a reservation, and they were SO accomdating for him! They asked us if we needed anything special for him, and brought extra bread and other nibbles for him. It turned out really well. We like to joke about how he is going to be a steak snob since he loves Filet Mignon.
So honestly, in Portland, most restaurants will be fair game. There are definitely a few to shy away from, but a good idea is to just call and ask. You should be able to tell from asking whether they have high-chairs whether it is a good idea or not!
Good luck!
Posted by: Laura | December 08, 2007 at 08:27 PM
I share the "oh-my-God-it's-a-kid" look at Higgins. I took my then-4 year old in a lunch time just to buy a gift certificate and will NEVER forget the look the staff gave my child -- as though he rose from the depths to coat the restaurant in PB&J.
Screen Door is really, really great with kids -- very welcoming staff and great clientele -- I'd highly recommend their brunch whilst with child.
I also wanted to mention Taqueria Nueve. One of the owners, Stephen Speiser, is a great dad and will be great to kids. Also, it's not terribly upscale, but the Pastini Pasta restaurants are always great for kids, as is Delta Cafe. And if they're into Guinness (your guests, not kids), Kell's downtown was so incredibly welcoming of our children I thought they were going to offer to babysit.
Posted by: Kristin | December 08, 2007 at 08:48 PM
We had great luck having a family lunch & dinner with two young kids, grandparents, etc. at Three Degrees in the RiverPlace Hotel. They were very welcoming & accomodating of kids - had crayons and coloring pages and made special steamed carrots for the one year old. Breastfeeding was no problem.
The food is yummy - the view of the river is amazing (right on the water) and in the summer the patio is great. And, they offer FREE valet parking.
http://www.threedegreesrestaurant.com/portland/index.html
Posted by: scotti | December 10, 2007 at 12:33 PM
I like Pok Pok on SE Division. It has good food plus you don't have to drop a paycheck on dinner.
I also like Vindalho on SE 21st. We went one time with another family and their two kids; and the 8 of us squeezed into a booth for a pleasant dining experience. On a recent visit to celebrate a friend's baby shower, our exchange with the hostess was not so pleasant. Apart from the unpleasant hostess, we had a wonderful meal.
Carafe is the perfect lunch spot, and I like to meet up with my husband there for lunch dates.
Posted by: Hau | December 10, 2007 at 03:24 PM
So, it's just on the other side of the river--but Beaches on the Columbia River in Vancouver is AWESOME! Kids get treated like royalty there--when you go in with a kiddo, they give you a bucket full of toys/crayons, etc. They have a great kids menu! After the meal, the server takes the kids(you can go too) to a big treasure chest and each child gets to pick out a prize. Then they take them to the ice cream bar where the child can pick what they want to have on their ice cream! The staff is always super friendly. The view is incredible--if you can sit next to the window, the kids will be entertained just by watching the boats and the water! The adult food is great too--they have some amazing salads!! My favorite is the Sanora Salad...incredible! As if that wasn't enough--they do a lot of charity events that raises lots of money for kids in the community. Check them out: http://www.beachesrestaurantandbar.com/
Posted by: Merry | December 11, 2007 at 10:46 AM
hooray for PAUSE... a great neighborhood spot that continues deliver great food and cater to little ones. not always the quickest service... but they do get the kids dishes out fast. thanks for mentioning them.
Posted by: dtwood | December 13, 2007 at 10:14 PM
I want to put in another two thumbs up for 'Ginos' and 'The Country Cat'. We ate at the Country Cat last night for the first time with our 14 month old. As usual, she threw her plate on the floor and made exclamatory noises... and no one batted an eye. The whole staff flirted with her during the meal. AND they have a changing in both the ladies and mens room.Kids under 10 eat for free on sundays.
Oh yeah,the food and service was great as well.( between $10-$20 for the mains)
Posted by: Lea | December 15, 2007 at 04:32 AM
Another shout-out for dinner at the Country Cat. They were great with our infant, and I love that her papa can change her diaper in the men's room! I've also taken her to Francis and the Tin Shed, both great for brunch. No one batted an eye when she fussed at either of these places, and the clientele at all three places were mellow about it too.
Posted by: Lilred | April 21, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Another place we've done well is The Heathman.
We have a thrower (pray this passes quickly for me) and it's wonderful to come in and find that they've put paper down underneath the highchair. DH and I always try to pick up her messes as much as possible but it is nice knowing that when we leave, all the staff has to do is pick up a piece of paper and the evidence is gone.
In addition, they have a wide variety of items on the menu and supply bread pretty immediately.
Posted by: k | April 21, 2008 at 02:51 PM
I love going to Laughing Planet Cafe with my kids and out-of-town guests. It is healthy, tastes great and is super affordable. Your meal is almost always on the table 10 minutes after you order it (score!) It's the perfect place to go for lunch after an OMSI outing or the Zoo because there is something for everyone there and it is very "Portland". They have dinosaurs for entertainment and funky toys and artwork to be enjoyed by all. My kids loves the smoothies, I love the soup and my husband loves all the local beers. I always bring visiting company here and every single one has said "I wished we had one in (fill in the blank)". It's just the type of place that we take for granted in Portland.
Posted by: Mary | February 12, 2010 at 01:12 PM
I have to disagree about Nostrana after a couple of more recent visits. They do not bring out snacks for hungry kids (they wait to bring the bread/oil until your drink order is in), they bring water in the same fragile glasses as adults, and they rudely ask if you would be done in an hour for folks that have reservations at 7 (um, our companion is a preschooler...what do you think?). Yes, the food is good, but really, the pizza at Ken's Artisan is better, Ken's Artisan has crayons and plastic cups/straws, and honestly, at least the folks at Ken's Artisan make us feel like they're glad to have us (and the kid) there. Other kid-friendlier italian - Mama Mia, Iorio, Serrato. Other cuisine - we love Country Cat, Pok Pok, Vindalho - they may not all have crayons, but ALL of us are made welcome.
Posted by: Bessy | April 30, 2010 at 09:56 PM
Hi,
I posted a couple months ago regarding our cafe, Laurelhurst Cafe. (47th and E Burnside St).
We're still here, and we have just added some entertainment. We have a jazz trio on Sundays at 3:00, it's just fine to bring your kids and enjoy the music, while having a beer or coffee (or food, of course), and we now have Olive Rootbeer and Dingo Dizmal, two notorious Portland Clowns hosting a kid's story time and balloon animals party every Monday at 10:00 AM.
Come on down, you are welcome.
Sincerely,
Ken Bareilles
Owner
Laurelhurst Cafe
Posted by: Ken Bareilles | January 27, 2012 at 07:05 PM