Restaurants with Kid-Friendly Entertainment
Amusing little ones during restaurant meals used to be a tall order. Not anymore. Check out these popular spots, where music, art and fun are complimentary side orders.
Wendy’s Kid-friendly entertainment every Tuesday—face painting, tattoos and a balloon artist from 5:30-7:30. 31 Godwin Avenue Midland Park, NJ 07432-1940 (201) 689-1866
The Mason Jar Tuesdays 5:30 pm-8:30 pm see The Magic of Jonathan Blair. Experience the amazing table-side magic and balloon art with Rockland County magician Jonathan Blair. 219 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430 www.themasonjar.com or call (201) 529-2302.
The Shannon Rose Irish Sundays – Live Irish Music at 4pm & $16.99 Prime Rib Special at its third and newest location. The Shannon Rose offers a full menu including traditional Irish favorites like homemade shepherds pie and Guinness beef stew as well as award-winning pub classics and the famous Shannon Rose burger, voted “best burger”. 1200 Route 17 North at Franklin Turnpike in Ramsey, NJ. Visit www.theshannonrose.com or call 201-962-7602.
IKEA Kids eat free on Tuesdays at the IKEA Restaurant. Feed the little ones for less with yummy kids’ meals. The kids will love the family eating section with its fun play area, kid sized seating, highchairs and bibs. Or drop them in the supervised ball pit, for some after dinner shopping.
New York City
Moomah
Families make craft projects together at Moomah’s combination café/art space. Working artists are on hand to lend guidance, and kids can draw additional inspiration from an eclectic library stocked with artful picture books, as well as from the Funky Forest, an interactive art installation that mimics a fantastical wood. Moms and dads recharge with soups, wraps and Counter Culture coffee, while kids chow down on organic grilled cheese and chips with homemade guacamole. 161 Hudson St between Hubert and Laight Sts (212-226-0345, moomah.com)
Bar On Fifth Broadway wanna-bes can start off their Sunday at Tunes with Tina, an interactive musical prix-fixe brunch in midtown. Chanteuse Tina deVaron, a jazz pianist who spent six years entertaining kids at the Carlyle Hotel’s Tea with Madeline, sings songs from Disney, the Great White Way and current pop artists; she also takes requests from the audience. Bonus: A cart stacked with treats from Dewey’s Candy Shop rolls through the dining room (candy costs extra). Sun 10am. The Setai Fifth Avenue, 400 Fifth Ave at 36th St (212-695-4005, setaififthavenue.com). $40, children under 3 $20.
Ideya The Soho Latin bistro opens its doors to the very young and the young at heart one Sunday a month at the SalsaBaby Brunch. A live band plays while parents linger over eggs and chorizo; young diners can join in with mini tambourines and maracas. 10am – 1pm. Special kids menu and other surprises. 349 West Broadway between Broome and Grand Sts (212-625-1441, ideya.net). Reservations required.
