Kid-friendly in Calgary NW?

[che_fan_le_mei_you]

Hi there

We'll be in the Northwest of Calgary over the Xmas holidays (Royal Oak I think it's called?). We would love to find some lunch/brunch family-friendly places that aren't Swiss Chalet or White Spot. Any suggestions please?

Thanks!

[nonlinear]

having to eat at crappy chains is just one of the costs of having children :)

[che_fan_le_mei_you]

why did someone tell me that BEFORE i had kids?

they are 1 and 3 so one high chair is needed.

[beggsy]

How old are your children? There is a Joey Tomatoes at Crowfoot but they don't provide high chairs or booster seats. (I think they'd rather not have any kids but lots of families dine there). There is also an Earl's just down Crowchild Trail at Dalhousie Station that is always packed with families. Both are chains but are definately a step up from the Swiss Chalet type places. There is also good chinese in Crowfoot - Snow Palace.

[maplesugar]

Is there still a Chianti's in Crowfoot (close to Nose Hil Dr)? It's not haute cuisine but theyre good with kids and the food & service is solid.

[beggsy]

Yes there is. There is also Boston Pizza, Tony Roma's, Brewsters and Montana's! Must not have been thinking clearlly. Again, not great but ok in a pinch with kids.

[AriaDream]

I believe... no, actually, I'm certain I saw high chairs and the Redwater Grill in the NW. That's a VERY good place to eat and I'd highly recommend it. I know they have them because there was a family next to us and we got a bottle tossed under our table. XD

[maplesugar]

Re Redwater - If I remember correctly there are booths at the Stadium shopping centre location, handy when you want to give the kids wiggle room and keep them from running about.

[Wasabilover]

Not sure what you saw AriaDream at Redwater - but they don't have highchairs or booster seats...maybe the family brought a booster seat themselves?
They have some pizzas and pastas that may be okay for some kids, but its not really a kid place. We took our 8 year old nephew and he's used to eating out, so liked one of their pizza's, but that was even a bit of a stretch with the spinach on it ("yuck - green stuff"). It would be a big risk to bring our 3 year old.... :( And certainly no coloring paper etc... On their opentable reservation confirmation it says something like "although kids are welcome we do not have kids menus, boosters or highchairs".

I'd suggest sticking to the big chains or a smaller pizza place perhaps?

[fotze]

Took the three year old to Brava Bistro. They had a box full of toys for him to play with and a nice private-ish booth in the back, with no reservation. Treated us great and we did to by keeping things in control and fast and a good tip. Probably good to go quite early to miss the evening rush out of courtesy. But not in the NW.

[AriaDream]

Hmm, well, when I was a kid I loved steaks so Redwater would have been excellent for me... and I know the table beside us had a little kid with them on some kind of seat. I guess the family must have brought it themselves. Oh well, Montana's and such are always good. :)

[che_fan_le_mei_you]

thanks everyone. i guess we'll stick to some good chinese take out (just read about it on another thread) and wait until the kids are older before letting them loose on unsuspecting diners.

[maplesugar]

When mine were that age if we took them out we'd go to a buffet - that way no waiting, they get to walk when you go up to the line... and theres lots of choices for their sometimes fickle appetites. If you don't mind the travel we like the Coast Plaza Hotel restaurant and Thomsons at the Hyatt for their Sunday Brunches... both places have high chairs and it's not uncommon to see other families there.

[che_fan_le_mei_you]

i didn't even think about brunch. what a great idea. thank you!

[beggsy]

Cora's at Northland (breakfast) would be perfect. Just down Crowchild Trail. It can be busy but there is a great kid's play area (free!) in the same mall as the restaurant.