Nice brunch place with 3 yr old toddler near Museum of Natural history

[Monica]

My husband and I have finally decided that my daughter is ready for the museum. =)

We'd like to go either this weekend or next weekend.

Any good and slightly fancy(not required) brunch place near the museum?

[nmprisons]

I literally have no idea what a three year old is like. Can they go to Dovetail?

[City Kid]

I would not take a 3-year-old to Dovetail. A quiet, grown-up sort of place.

[nmprisons]

I have found the brunches there to be much more casual than the dinners, and the OP did want something "slightly fancy." Mostly an older clientele at brunch, who might find a kid (assuming said kid wasn't yelling) kind of endearing. But what do I know about kids and such (well, nothing, I guess). I did eat at the bar at Blue Hill a few weeks ago next to a young couple and their 6 year old. The kid was great company (seriously). But I guess there is probably a big difference between three and six.

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Blue Hill
75 Washington Place, New York, NY 10011

[Monica]

Haha, yes, there is a HUGE difference between 3 and 6.

[nmprisons]

Well, that settles it, if I will have to wait like six years to eat as a family at a decent restaurant then kids are looking less and less likely for me.

How old before someone can sit in a chair for 2 hours and not scream about it? Maybe I will just adopt one that age.

[Monica]

This could be a great Chowhound topic!

I guess it depends on the child!

[Monica]

So either Ocean Grill(they have sweet potato fries...drool..) or Ditch Plains. Thanks everyone!

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Ditch Plains
100 W 82nd St, New York, NY 10024

[thegforceny]

Cafe Frida for midscale Mexican.

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Cafe Frida
368 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

[craigcep]

Ditch Plains. Lots of kids there. Good, solid brunch. It takes reservations. http://www.ditch-plains.com/

Some of the other recommendations seem a little upscale for a 3 year old.

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Ditch Plains
100 W 82nd St, New York, NY 10024

[lee_ong]

I have brunch at Ditch Plains all the time and there are always a lot of children. While I don't have any, the restaurant seems very accommodating to them. Great food too!

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Ditch Plains
100 W 82nd St, New York, NY 10024

[betsameister]

Calle Ocho has decent food and it slightly fancy. Great sangria too (for the adults).

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Calle Ocho
45 W 81st St, New York, NY 10024

[Monica]

looks like they are either moving or renovating....

[strangemd]

I'd vote for "Good Enough to Eat." It's on Amsterdam and 84th, very close to the Museum, and probably has the best eggs/biscuits/bacon/pies in the neighborhood, plus they're very child friendly.

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Good Enough to Eat
483 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

[colette99]

I second Good Enough- My husband is addicted to their Lumberjack breakfast- And the strawberry butter, I could eat by the vat- FYI, there is usually a wait but it's worth it-

[Monica]

I actually thought about Good enough to eat but waiting online on a hot day with a 3 yr old toddler didn't seem like a great idea..
I thought Good enough was just ok....but then waiting on a long line and high expection can do it too.

[City Kid]

I had breakfast only once at Good Enough to Eat and found the food just OK and the place claustrophobic. Personally, I would not find it relaxing with a toddler and a stroller.

[Monica]

That's exactly what i said to my friend...but she didn't seem to agree..lol

[City Kid]

Haha! Don't understand the love for Good Enough to Eat either... I've been to Ocean Grill countless times and they welcome families. There's even a spot to leave strollers up front and the place has a nice buzz that seems to absorb loud kids (and adults). It is upscale in feel but very reasonably priced and the fact that they take reservations is a huge plus.

[LNG212]

DH and I jokingly refer to that restaurant as "never good enough to wait". :)

I second the Ditch Plains rec below. I've not had brunch (only dinner) there but the food was really good. And the bowl of taffy - well that disappeared awfully quickly!

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Ditch Plains
100 W 82nd St, New York, NY 10024

[kathryn]

Are the lines still long, though, for weekend brunch?

[FattyDumplin]

good enough to eat is yummy, but kind of s cramped place. also, if you're going after the museum, you're likely talking about a half hour+ wait on weekends.

[InfoMofo]

I like Kefi too, which is only a block west or so from the museum.

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Kefi
505 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

[Toot]

You could try Isabella. It's very child friendly. The food is nothing to write home about it, but it is not bad either.

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Isabella's
359 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024

[smarty]

Shake Shack is right across the street.

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Shake Shack
366 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024

[City Kid]

I would go for Ocean Grill across Columbus from Isabella's - same ownership and menu but they take brunch reservations.

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Ocean Grill
384 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024