kid-friendly great food near Brown campus in Prov.?

[Genevieve]

Hey, Chowhounders, I'm a D.C. hound heading up to Providence for various reunion events on the Brown campus this weekend. I know what used to be good, but not what's good these days. We'll be eating several lunches and dinners there.

I would love any recommendations you could give, especially if walking distance from the Brown campus (we will have a car, but don't know if we'll have time to drive places).
Our not-so-adventurous-eater six-year-old will be with us for most meals -- he'll do fine at any place with a kids' menu, or any place where we can get him a burger, a quesadilla, a sandwich, pasta with meatballs, or some grilled chicken without sauce (whether that be satay or something else more exotic). I think we have one or two dinners without him where we could eat somewhere either more adventurous or more elegant (or both).

Thanks in advance!

[Jenkins]

If your goal is to placate your child then on Thayer Street there is always the chain Johnny Rockets, Junkyard Dog (only a few booths but serves great hot dogs plus burgers, etc.), and Paragon - which serves a very wide range of food, including burgers and sandwiches at reasonable prices.

When you are ready for an adults-only meal you have many places to pick from, it really depends on your price range and mood. Try Bravo, CAV or Blaze for starters.

[Genevieve]

Nope, my goal is to have good food but also have our child eat something more than bread (if we went Indian he'd eat tons of bread and be happy, but hungry later). Definitely won't go to Johnny Rockets. Junkyard Dog and Paragon are definite possibles, thanks!

I've heard wonderful things about Nicks on Broadway, and we may drive there for lunch or breakfast -- has it moved from 259 Broadway? I saw a thread discussing the "new place" and wasn't sure.

Thanks for the Federal Hill recommendations!

[jandj]

You may want to try La Laiterie at Farmstead http://www.farmsteadinc.com/

[Jenkins]

Have been to Nick's for breakfast, and it was indeed wonderful! Very creative and fresh. The specials are a bit pricey, but so very good. Keep in mind it is a fairly small place that gets crowded for breakfast, so there might be a long wait. I have not been for dinner. Lunch was also very tasty. Got soup and sandwich, both very good, the homemade soup especially so.

[LMWW]

Nick's is, indeed, excellent but I concur that it is quite small and the waits are long. Depending on how your kiddo does in that situation, it may or may not be a good choice for brunch. Also, they are now located at 500 Broadway - closer to Olneyville than downtown.

In addition to the Thayer St. suggestions already mentioned, Meeting Street Cafe would be a good bet. You might also want to try Blaze. They have thin-crust pizzas and burgers - but also some good "grown-up" entrees as well. Just down the street, on Angell, is Red Stripe - another good spot that is kid-friendly (based on personal experience).

I think La Laiterie would be tough with a kid - it's even smaller than Nick's, and tables are very close together. But if you are on your own, it is definitely worth a trip!

[Genevieve]

Thanks so much! These are all very helpful -- I'll keep the recommendations with me.

I used to love Meeting Street Cafe way back when they had sandwiches like the "Tina Tuna" and the "Lana Tuna" (tuna in pita with melted cheese and fresh, lightly cooked broccoli - my favorite).

[Genevieve]

Oh, and my husband (native New Englander, Italian) would be thrilled with great chowder or great Italian food. Nothing has to be fancy (better if it's not, really), if the food is good.

[Jenkins]

Chowder I am not sure of, but for Italian of course head to Federal Hill. Good choices include Medditeraneo, Sienna, and Zooma.