Eating Out with the Kids

 Easter to Whitsun, the weather usually gives the opportunity for family outings, either for the day or a short break within Britain.  So here we recommend our current good value eating out experiences, which we have discovered to be child friendly.

KFC

Of all the fast food chains, this seems the best value and the healthiest!  The boneless bargain bucket can feed four comfortably for £15 – four portions of chips, two side portions of choice (coleslaw, corn on the cob, baked beans) two portions of popcorn chicken and 8 boneless chicken pieces.  Plus a litre bottle of soft drink of your choice (Coca Cola, 7up).  To eat in or take away (or eat in car looking out at the rainy beach…)

Morrison’s Cafés

These offer a deal where kids eat free on school nights, and after 4.30 adult drinks are free.  The choices are solid café fare (scampi and chips, macaroni cheese, etc) and well executed.  The kid’s meal comes with a Capri sun and an activity pack to keep youngsters busy while they wait for food.  Obviously cafes vary across the country but worth checking out (especially if you have to shop to stock up your self catering place anyway when you arrive.)

Wagamamas

If you fancy a change, and a good children’s menu, these Japanese canteen style restaurants are really fun.  The food (which includes traditional ramen or noodle soup beautifully prepared) is prepared ‘on show’ which is fascinating for youngsters to watch.  An activity pack/colouring sheet is provided for kids, plus trainee chopsticks to tackle the children’s menu (which is varied, and includes sliced chicken breast with salad and noodles).  Restaurants are in cities nationwide.

Carluccios

If you’re in London and want a bit of a treat these are great Italian bistros to check out. They are very relaxed and welcoming to families.  Often there is a delicatessen to browse also if you need to wait for a table, full of wonderful Carluccio produce.

 The set menu is fabulous and great value for money (two courses for £9) Our current favourite choices are the chicken liver pate starter which is very tasty, smooth and provided  as a generous portion, followed by a spicy salami pasta.,

 The kids menu is also a winner, with pasta and tomato sauce or pesto as well as breaded chicken and sauce included as choices.  A good quality children’s activity pack is provided to amuse little ones including colouring pencils and a colour in jigsaw featuring an Italian food. Which is a great souvenir too.  The children have breadsticks to nibble straight away and their main arrives with your starter, so slow eaters have plenty of time to enjoy their main plate of food while you move onto main course as well.  The children’s menu includes a choice of drink (our youngster chose the cherry juice) and a choice of Italian ice cream for desert. 

A good value special occasion meal.  Makes you watch two Hungry Italians with renewed awe – Carluccio really had a warm and passionate mission when it comes to Italian good food.

Llandudno – The Habit Tea Rooms

This is a traditional seaside café which is relaxed and child friendly.  It offers a daily lunchtime menu, children options, and is also good for a tea/lemonade and cake stop (they have a good array of cakes to choose from every day.)  Well situated on the high street, just round the corner from the newly opened Mostyn Art gallery and railway station.

The Picnic Solution

If budget or time does not allow for a meal out, the traditional sandwiches and thermos is always a valid alternative.  At least you know what sandwich filling your family likes best! Websites such as good food can offer some inspiration if you fancy a change. Most popular destinations provide picnic tables for you to eat at, even major London museums usually have a space set aside for young families to eat packed lunches, so this is a respectable and enjoyable option.

And even if you don’t get chance to make up a packed lunch, you can usually raid a local supermarket for easy to eat nibbles especially if you keep a supply of sporks and paper towels handy in the car. 

Oatcakes or breadsticks and hummus, poppodoms and chutney, ham and cheese slices on granary bread or ryvita are relatively easy to assemble in addition to the family variety bags of crisps/snacks or sausage rolls you can usually find. 

Bananas, dried mango and muesli bars are also easy to eat puddings in addition to chocolate bars.  Soft drink cartons cola cans (caffeine for the adults) or Capri sun can finish up the impromptu picnic.

We at plate up wish you many happy (and tasty) family outings!