Dining out with Baby

The Knocked-Up Knockout
June 2007: No. 1
www.beautyandthedirt.com
Tales from the Trenches of Motherhood: A Reintroduction
Dining out with Baby
Hannah Claire Shapiro


This week, following a particularly gruelling “Mommy and Me,” my two girlfriends and I decided to unwind with a lunchtime téte-à-téte. Said friends and I have gotten into a spot of bother lately in our quest to find the ideal locale for hungry mothers with children, and have already vetoed a fair few places who treat us well-tipping diners like vermin. It seems that quality customer service at supposed “family” restaurants is now reserved for people who dine without their young families in tow. Case study number one took place recently at our local, “family-friendly” pizza jaunt, where a very grumpy waitress reprimanded us for the inevitable child-residue (a few crackers on the floor). Our 22.5% tip as compensation (we are sympathetic that waiting on multiple mothers with babies is not easy) seemed to have gone unnoticed. Case study number two happened at another pizza restaurant where, upon parking our respective German-brand SUVs, removing our children from the car and putting them in their rainbow of Pliko P3s, and entering the restaurant, we were announced to fellow diners by someone who was clearly having a bad day. “Oh look,” she said somewhat snidely—and loudly. “It’s the ladies who lunch.”

Such occasions have made me think that visitors to these parts might be interested in sharing my research into the most friendly and delicious lunch spots in South Florida. Whether you are dining alone, à deux or with a whole slew of offspring, these are four of my fave restaurants for lunching…

La Goulue
9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, FL 33154 Phone: 305-865-2181
If I feel like giving Asher and myself a treat, I head down Collins Avenue to lunch at La Goulue. This is the South’s sister to the restaurant’s flagship site on Madison Avenue in New York. Nothing beats a La Goulue burger or moules frites (or tuna/ steak tartare for that matter!), washed down with a glass of rose, when it comes to whittling away an afternoon in South Florida. The newly introduced children’s menu with a “Mac and Cheese” that, judging by Asher’s yums, is to dies for, makes this the ultimate dining spot for yummy mummies who lunch. Not to mention that the Bond Street equivalent shops in the Bal Harbor shopping center, which houses La Goulue, make the whole picture even better!

Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor
128 S Federal Highway, Dania, FL, 33004 Phone: (954) 923-4445
Despite it’s name, Jaxson’s offers patrons a plentiful menu of American diner delights, from bountiful salads to hot dogs with ‘kraut to a simple grilled cheese. The waitresses are always cheery and are more than happy to offer their pearls of wisdom regarding which three of their 50 homemade flavours you should choose to top that brownie sundae you saved room for. Each dish on the children’s menu comes with a drink and ice cream sundae, making for excellent value—especially since it is large enough to give you a few tastes, too! Upon entering Jaxson’s, through the old-fashioned candy shop, you will feel as though you have walked onto a film set and the Americana lining the walls will keep accompanying children of all ages entertained for the duration of lunch.

Houston’s
2821 E Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33062 Phone: (954) 783-9499
Typically, I admit, I am a food/ restaurant snob with a firm dislike for chain restaurants. However, Houston’s—at any locale—rarely disappoints. But at this Pompano Beach location, my favourite of the South Florida branches, overlooking the intracoastal, you have fab scenery to boot. Houston’s secret to success is a simple menu of signature, classic American dishes, bolstered by seasonal (unlisted) specialties, such as stone crab claws or grilled artichokes, which regulars know to ask for. Dishes are always fresh-tasting and though there is no children’s menu to speak of, all the Houston’s I have visited have been extremely child-friendly and keen to cater any reasonable request. From the delicious burgers to the fantastic salads and fresh fish options, not to mention the to-die-for ‘knife-and-fork’ ribs, Houston’s have never disappointed on the food front. Oh, and did I mention they make a killer Dirty Martini?!

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
2203 S Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 462-5555
There are now three locations of this South Florida pizza restaurant and the food is consistently good at all venues. The menu is simple, with a house salad that warrants regular cravings and chicken wings that people literally rave about. But the piéce de la resistance, the pizza, is worthy of being voted the best in South Florida. The menu is very child-friendly—I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t like anything on an Italian menu, and Asher has a penchant for the Anthony’s meatball and ricotta pie, which is nothing short of delicious. I, meanwhile, opt for the house salad and the arugula (rocket) pizza. What’s more, I have never encountered a grumpy waitress at Anthony’s who begrudges your little one enjoying his or her lunch, even if it means a bit more mess on and around the table, which makes a relaxed lunchtime experience for the mums and children alike.