Craftbar – Colicchio Experience with the Littles

Craftbar – Colicchio Experience with the Littles

(Gramercy)

Craftbar

900 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

Tel. 212-461-4300

High Chair/ Stroller Parking

Weekend brunching is always a delicate balance between finding the right spot for littles and seeking the most optimal culinary experience for grown-ups.  Lucky for us establishments for Craftbar exists (e.g., just enough sophistication for grown-ups, but without so much fanfare that you need to worry about toting around a mini-me, or two, or three!!).  For info: there are Craft locations in New York, Dallas, and Los Angeles, and Craftbars in New York and Los Angeles.

As it happened… we were a party of seven (four adults, three little ones under the age of three… yeep! That’s right, there were two two-year olds, and one miniature munchkin who’s just about four months old, nutso right, it’s a wonder we even left the house.

That said, the dining experience at Craftbar, fun by the celebrity-TV chef Tom Colicchio à la Tom Chef struck all of the right notes – the food was the right blend of up-market cuisine creativity suitable for your typical foodie, the ambience was slightly upscale/sophisticated but definitely casual, the space was open and very bright (it helped too that we were seated right next to the windows), and the price point was just suitably affordable so as to not scare away your dining companions (though calibrated much higher it might just turn away some!).

Read More

Brunch at Tribeca Grill

Brunch at Tribeca Grill

(Tribeca)

Tribeca Grill

375 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013

Tel. 212-941-3900

High Chair/ Stroller Parking

After some time away from the NYC scene (we spent much of the winter in Florida, and then spent much of January catching up and coming to terms with it being 2016) – it is officially time to hit the scene back in New York City!

We caught up with some friends of ours over at the Tribeca Grill, which has been a long-standing establishment in the neighborhood best known for Robert De Niro (who is the co-owner).  For some reason, I’ve never been here (strange but true), so when doing my research (our friends lived in the area), it hit me that this would be the perfect venue for a meet-up.  It’s tucked away on Greenwich Street (arguably one of the prettier streets in Tribeca), and boasts some very impressive personal touches. For starters, the exposed brick walls showcase artwork done by De Niro’s father (since my father is an artist, I have a particular affinity towards these fine details).

Read More

Perfect Brunch at the Tribeca Grand

Perfect Brunch at the Tribeca Grand

(Tribeca)

Tribeca Grand Hotel

2 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013

Tel. 212-519-6677

High Chair/ Changing Table/ Stroller Parking

A friend and colleague recently asked me for brunch recommendations in Tribeca.  Well I say – as far as options go, you are spoiled for choices! (Tribeca being the most baby-friendly neighborhood in all of downtown Manhattan and all).  However, one place that I would always endorse, as you really cannot go wrong any way you slice it, is Sunday brunch at the Tribeca Grand.  With a well-curated, classic American buffet menu that includes both sweets from Doughnut Plant and lox from Russ & Daughters, plus live jazz and complimentary children’s film screening – it really is foodie heaven for both grown-ups and kiddos alike.

Read More

Retro-Tiki Happiest Hour in the West Village

Retro-Tiki Happiest Hour in the West Village

(West Village)

The Happiest Hour

121 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10011

Tel. 212-243-2827

Stroller Parking

Generally speaking, 3-6pm is a big gap to fill for us in the late afternoons… so what better way to occupy the time than with happy hour at the Happiest Hour?  Our friends recommended the new Tulum-inspired cocktail-den/restaurant in the West Village, brought to you by the same folks behind Acme, NoMad, and Pegu Club (aka the dream team).  So off we went – mamma and crew, and I couldn't be happier with our experience there.

Read More

Rustic Chic at Monument Lane

Rustic Chic at Monument Lane

(West Village)

Monument Lane

103 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014

Tel. 212-255-0155

High Chair

Monument Lane,  a gastropub set in a "colonial-style" tavern in the West Village serves up one mean Bloody Mary.  In fact, I think you'll be spoiled for choices when it comes to Bloody Marys, as they literally have one section of their brunch cocktail menu dedicated entirely to bespoke Bloody Marys.  The other great thing the restaurant has going for it, apart from delicious comfort food and cute decor, is an incredibly warm and friendly staff that is decidedly baby friendly.

Read More

Dinner On Ludlow – Comfort Food and Chandeliers

Dinner On Ludlow – Comfort Food and Chandeliers

(Lower East Side)

Dinner on Ludlow

95 Delancey street, New York, NY 10002

Tel. 212-228-0909

Believe it or not, our first introduction to Dinner On Ludlow was via their Sunday Vanilla Sky/White Party – which is truly a sight to behold (think throwbacks to P. Diddy, with lots of white on white on white, and loads of booty… everywhere).

Not that that’s a bad thing necessarily, it just doesn’t scream “baby friendly.”

So imagine my surprise when one Sunday morning, we cruised over to the restaurant (not sure the exact reason… proximity?), and were met with a pleasant surprise.  It wasn’t crowded (in fact it was nice and tranquil), the food was simple and delicious, and above all – beautiful chandeliers all over the place.  I mean, who doesn’t love a nice, glittering chandelier?

Read More