Hungry? Got kids? No need to suffer

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/11/2001 (8919 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WHY don’t you write about child-friendly restaurants? That mother of a six-year-old wasn’t the first to ask. As it happens, there are many such places, and it’s my conviction that you can’t start them too young.

Obviously, it doesn’t make sense to inflict a cranky baby on other customers, or to subject a six-year-old to three hours of fine dining. Certain restaurants, however, are particularly suitable, although it goes without saying that noon is probably the best time. The following are only a few of the many places where children are welcome.
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Italians adore children. That’s one reason why they have such a good time at the De Lucas’ upstairs cafe, where tables are usually shared and the atmosphere is much like an informal house party. Another reason is the food, which should please parent and child alike.

Pizza is $3.25 a slice. If the kids want a sweet while Mom finishes her cappuccino, Tony De Luca will take them to the bakery downstairs to choose one (most $1.50). He has also been known to cradle infants in his arms, and to show the older children how to make pizza.
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The Chinese know what to do with children. They take them for dim sum on Sundays, the day when the selection is at its largest, and choices are made from trolleys that are rolled from table to table. Non-Chinese children get a kick out of that, too. What’s more, if there’s anything they like as much as slurping up spaghetti, it’s little morsels that don’t need cutting up.

But there are many, many more – deep-fried shrimp dumplings topped by a dab of, yes, mayonnaise; steamed dumplings of shark fin, pork and shrimp; or my favourite, woo kok – fried puffs of shredded taro filled with minced pork and shrimp.

Not all dim sum are dumplings. There are steamed chopped spareribs, slices of eggplant or green pepper topped by chopped shrimp, soft rice crepes rolled around shrimp, pork or beef and steamed or baked yeast buns stuffed with barbecued pork. And if you see something that looks like a custard tart, that’s just what it is. The kids should love it.
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Falafel Place is another informal restaurant, animated by the kibbitzing of co-owner Ami Hassan. Prices here range mostly from $4.75 to $7.50, half price for children.

Some children may be resistant to hummous or the sensational Turkish eggplant relish, but their parents will probably find them delicious. And what child doesn’t like foods that crunch, such as falafel balls, or potato pancakes, or french fried potatoes or yams. If they like burgers at all, they should love the terrific ground turkey burger.

There are fresh-squeezed juices, pancakes, waffles and other breakfasts, served all day. Grownups may have trouble finishing one of the monumental deli sandwiches; children probably won’t get through even half, so order accordingly. Parent and child will also have to share the sumptuous chocolate cake.