DC KIDS Restaurant week?

[rgfoodie]

Does anyone have any information on the Kids restaurant week? I found a couple things from googling, but I am planning a trip there with an 11 year old boy who is an adventurous (and well behaved) diner. Are there any that both nephew and aunt will enjoy?

[Elyssa]

So has anyone participated in the Kids Restaurant Week? I think it's a great idea but I'm interested in hearing how it has been executed.

[DanielK]

It hasn't started yet! June 13-21.

[Elyssa]

Gotcha...Clearly I wasn't paying enough attention since I'm kid-less. :)

[DanielK]

Ate at Dino tonight for Kids RW. I've been many times before, and have brought my kids there, so I knew that we'd have a great meal, and that my kids would easily find something to eat.

My 9-year-old daughter ordered the prosciotto and mozzarella appetizer, and licked the plate clean. I tried to get her to order something more interesting, but she went with grilled chicken strips with tomato sauce for her main. Oh well, can't win them all.

My 11-year-old son started with the Calamari Fritti, and then had the Wild Boar Fettucini. Now, we were certainly drawn in by the Kids RW special, but I really should have let him order off the adult menu or at least add an appetizer. The menu is for under 12, he's 2 weeks short of 12, and typically eats more than I do at a meal (he's already my height). So that Wild Boar pasta was gone in 30 seconds flat, so he ate down the bread basket twice, and then picked off both my and my wife's plates until he was "not starving anymore". And yes, he still had a snack when we got home.

I had the Gamberoni Croccante to start, and the f**cking unbelievable Lombata di Maialino for my main. Swoon.... My wife had the predictably great Burrata to start, and the Lingcod for her main.

Dino is always a sure hit, and they definitely do RW and similar promotions right.

-----
Dino
3435 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC 20008

[Jeserf]

Do we have to bring kids?

[Doh]

I'd be happy to lend you one.

[Jeserf]

yeah, never,

[keithlb1]

Most restaurants in the city tend to cater to a business crowd and people celebrating a special occasion. I can't really see to many places other than those close to the hotels and mall area offering kids specials. They're usually busy and have to adjust staffing in both front and back of the house to accommodate an influx of hurried and hot impatient
families with kids that don't have enough patience to sit through a 3 course meal.
I think it's novel that restaurants try and include kids but the execution in places that don't normally see a lot of children in their booths is going to be a tough pill to swallow for the staff and their regular clientele.

[Jeserf]

I just wanna know if I have to have a child at my table to participate :)

[jerseygirldawn]

i would not think so.

[DanielK]

Actually, several restauranteurs have chimed in and said, yes, you DO need to have a child at your table to participate in the promotion.

I would call ahead and check if you plan on trying to take advantage of the promotion without bringing an under-12-year-old along.

[DanielK]

Speak for yourself on what kids can do in restaurants, and what restaurants can do for kids. I've brought mine to many great restaurants in this city, and since they've been going to restaurants since they were a week old, they know how to behave. I don't need a kids menu; they can share a meal, get a half-order of pasta, eat off my plate, etc.

While we probably will take advantage of this promotion, Dean Gold (Dino) can attest to how I deal with this. Not only have I brought my kids to his place many times (with no kids menu available), he's dined out with my kids and I elsewhere, and he's never seen them order off a kids menu!

[keithlb1]

I think that's great but you are probably not in the majority on that.
A lot of parents take their kids restaurants and attempt to make the staff cater to their kids weird sense of taste and eating habits. You are to be commended for taking the time to expose your children to proper restaurant etiquette.

Back on subject you can go to www.kidsrestaurantweek.com click Washington Dc and they have all the information you need.

[DanielK]

Perhaps, but I was responding to what I felt was an unfair generalization.

[Mawrter]

Word.

[deangold]

Yes

[Jeserf]

boo that stinks! But at least I know - thanks!

[DCNatFan]

Here is what the Washington Post is reporting are the places participating to date.
Participating restaurants include:
Art and Soul
Asia Nine
Beacon Street Bar and Grill
Cafe du Parc
Firefly
Juniper at the Fairmont
Mie N Yu
M Street Bar and Grill
Palette at Loews
The Hay-Adams and Zola

Pretty pathetic showing. Hopefully more will jump on board.

[rgfoodie]

I don't really know DC restaurant scene...anything interesting above? We will probably want to stay near the sights downtown. Thanks!

[DanielK]

Art and Soul is new and has been getting some buzz, but not convenient to downtown. Cafe du Parc is quite nice, as is Zola; the rest are nothing special.

I'm sure the list will get longer.

[Elyssa]

Out of that list I would choose Art and Soul, Firefly or Zola.

[DCNatFan]

List of participating restaurants from Open Table:
Art and Soul
Asia Nine Bar and Lounge
Beacon Bar and Grill
Belga Cafe
Cafe Du Parc
Dino
Finn & Porter - Washington D.C.
Firefly - DC
Juniper at the Fairmont Washington DC
M Street Bar & Grill
Mie N Yu
Palette
Taberna del Alabardero
Wasabi
Zola

[DanielK]

I would consider Art & Soul, Cafe Du Parc, Dino, and Zola.

Taberna is outstanding, but they have done a poor job on Restaurant Week promotions, so I'd be wary of their offering here.

[Jacey]

Mie N Yu would be a fun place for kids. Zola would come in second.

[rgfoodie]

Seems like it is so close without knowing more about this super, super idea! Thanks for your responses! I have signed up for the updates, so hope to hear more soon!

[deangold]

Hi

June 13 thru June 21 from 5 to 7 pm. The restaurants participating will offer a menu for $29 for parents and kids over 11. There will also be a special menu for kids 11 and under where you will pay the kid's age for three courses. The list of participating restaurants will be on open table soon.

[DanielK]

I'm assuming they'll post a complete list of participating restaurants on the official website: http://www.kidsrestaurantweek.com/dc.asp

[Doh]

You can also give them your email address if you want them to send you updates.