Volume 2, Number 18 | The Weekly Newspaper of Chelsea | February 1 - 7, 2008
"Support businesses and organizations that support Chelsea Now"
kids corner
Kid-friendly dining in Chelsea
By Joe Antol
Chelsea, with its hip club scene and swanky nightlife, is not generally thought of as a kid-friendly locale. While in recent years, more of the wee people have taken up residence, the area is a far cry from the hatcheries of the Upper West Side or Park Slope.
But do not despair, new Chelsea parent. It’s hard to believe, but the neighborhood is well-suited to the feeding of the young and impatient.
Small restaurant spaces, which abound in Chelsea, require the staff to turn the tables quickly. That’s an advantage for parents waiting in line to eat with small children in tow.
Unlike adults, children do not like to engage in rational discourse while waiting for the chef to prepare his or her masterpiece. Bring washable markers or crayons and some paper to keep the munchkin entertained when service is slow. One trick is to request that your child’s meal be brought with your appetizer. This way, he or she eats while you do. Many restaurants are virtually barren prior to 7 p.m., when offspring-enabled patrons are seeking nourishment; this is a perfect time to dine without the risk of creating a disturbance. Keep this in mind: Your Little Snowflake may simply savor an appetizer or sample Mom and Dad’s meal, but she will still create as much work as a full-sized adult. Tip accordingly.
My wife and I have lived in Chelsea for the past 10 years, for the past five with our daughter, Kelly. Straight from her critical palate are the eateries we have found to be amicable to dining with children:
Monster Sushi (158 W. 23rd St. b/w 6th and 7th Aves.): Kelly is a total sashimi fan. Tops on her list are the Super White Tuna, and the pink “princess colors” of regular tuna, Yellow Tail and Salmon. Miso soup is a good starter, but a lot of children, mine included, have an aversion to all food that is green. Ask the staff to hold the seaweed and scallions. We always request some “training wheels”—a small plastic fastener—for Kelly’s chopsticks. She and I usually share the Sashimi Deluxe, which runs around $24.
Le Singe Vert (160 7th Ave. b/w 19th and 20th Sts.): If your little epicurean’s tastes tend toward classic French, then this is where you want to be. Kelly loves, and has frequently asked for, the Mussels Provencal. She’ll crook her arms in a bodybuilder pose and announce, “I want muscles,” and has been known to polish off three dozen in one sitting. Child cost: $12.50.
Le Zie (172 7th Ave. b/w 20th and 21st Sts.): They boast the best spaghetti and meatballs in Manhattan and will actually serve a half-portion for nearly half-price, around $9
Flight 151 (151 8th Ave. b/w 17th and 18th Sts.): One of the few straight bars in Chelsea, this crowded, noisy establishment is one of the better places to take a small child who’s temperament may be mercurial. The din of merriment will drown out a wailing child, and the menu comes the closest to offering something resembling kids fare. Burgers, hotdogs and chicken-finger appetizers are among Kelly’s favorites. During Thursday’s trivia night—a free beer for the first correct answer—Kelly enjoys accompanying daddy to the bar for the question of the hour and, while she enjoys a fine lager, her true preference is the free popcorn. Child cost: $6 to $8
Mary Ann’s (116 8th Ave. b/w 15th and 16th Sts.): A small Mexican joint that’s also consistently noisy and crowded. Kelly’s partial to the black bean and shrimp soup, cheese quesadilla and any form of soft taco. The staff is very comfortable with kids, and many will talk about, and show pictures of, their own. Child cost: $6 to $8.
Eros Café (190 7th Ave. b/w 21st and 22nd Sts.): Kelly’s No. 1 restaurant. The only item on the menu she orders is eggs over-easy with bacon and mashed potatoes. Probably the best-equipped, child-friendly place in Chelsea, having both high chairs and booster seats. It’s a hot spot for hipsters and parents alike, and the owner treats each toddler to a complimentary banana. Child cost: $6.
