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Dining with shorty

Tips for dining at nice restaurants with kids in tow

by Kaui  |  710 views  |  1 comment  |        Rate this now! 

Other favorites to which we regularly return have been Lucy’s Bar and Grill in Kailua and Town in Kaimuki. At Lucy’s, our daughter loves the ahi tower and kalua pig triangles. We love the Euro-local flavors, the terrific staff, and the noisiness.

Town also has a great din, nice prices and healthy selections for kids like fresh fish and house-made pasta.

I love finding family-friendly restaurants in unexpected places. The key to searching is not to rule anything out. Remember, in this economy these restaurants need you more than you need them.

A few tips for dining out with kids:

1.) Desert is the best motivator for good behavior

2.) Have the kids’ food arrive at the same time as yours

3.) Try to sit in a booth (this locks them in)

4.) Go to loud restaurants

5.) Let them order a fancy drink. Then they’ll have a Pavlovian association with the occasion. Dining out = special drink. Plus, you just ordered a Tequila Slammer, so it’s only fair.

6.) If the child’s menu is unimaginative and unhealthy, order appetizers and sides and let them choose.

7.) Bring noiseless toys and books.

8.) When they’ve plowed through dinner and you’re right in the middle of a conversation about Obama, McCain, and energy policies, reward their impeccable behavior by taking that portable DVD out of your bag and pressing "play."

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1 comment so far...

  • Great article. I was going to ask how on earth you manage to keep your little one from spoiling your meal with constant whining, crying, wanting mommy etc, as mine does. :( But then I see you end with the portable dvd player. Perhaps I should invest in one!

    Flag as inappropriate Posted by Diane on 20th August 2008

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