|
Going Out
To Eat with The Family
by Nancy Swett, Editor
& Publisher, NorthForkParents.com
In a recent poll conducted
by NorthForkParents, parents voted for their favorite
local family eateries and revealed what they look for
in a restaurant when they take the family out to eat.
Based on comments received
as part of the restaurant poll, it's clear that restaurants
that serve families well deserve special recognition.
Dining out with the family presents parents with the usual
challenges--all of the different tastes, the personalities,
and attention to table protocols--but with the extra challenge
of presenting the family in public. Restaurants that help
make family meals a success are as good as gold.
More and more studies suggest
that a family that eats together stays together, and the
benefits cannot be overstated. Going out to eat is a way
to give the family chef a rest while relaxing, celebrating,
and enjoying being out together.
The winning restaurant is
rewarded with a framed NorthForkParents Best Family Dining
2008 Award, which they can display for patrons to see.
It also receives free advertising on NorthForkParents
for the summer of 2008.
This is the first year that
NorthForkParents has polled site users about their local
family dining experiences, and the award is expected to
continue into future years.
Maybe you'd like to try
some new restaurants as a family, but you're concerned
about how it's going to go. Here's a Bonus: How
to make your family dining out experiences as pleasant
as possible: tips from NorthForkParents.
Presenting
the 2008 Best Dining Award Winner
The
winner of the NorthForkParents Best Family Dining Award
2008 goes to the Hellenic Snack Bar & Kitchen
in East Marion. To visit the Hellenic Snack Bar &
Restaurant website, click here.
Of all of the restaurants
nominated and voted on by the users of the NorthForkParents
website, the Hellenic Snack Bar & Restaurant got the
most votes.
What
Voters Said About The Hellenic
Among the comments received
about The Hellenic were:
"I love Mediterranean food, and
they do it all so well! Their avgo lemino is the best,
and the desserts are amazing. All of us, kids and adults,
love this place."
"Food is
great. Little ones can try anything. Kids can sit outdoors...high
chairs, etc."
"Great outdoor seating area, comfortable
atmosphere for family dining, fresh squeezed lemonade,
delicious and healthy food, children's menu, affordable."
"Classic food!"
"The kids love the lemonade, the
chicken skewers, playing on the old signpost outside,
and playing with the walnuts from the tree next to the
signpost."
"It always has families patronizing
it."
Family
Needs for Dining Out
Poll comments showed that when parents
bring the family out to eat, they consider a lot of factors:
Location: If a restaurant is located
in a place where the family can relax and enjoy some pleasant
scenery or some kind of attraction--even as simple as
an old signpost, a small lawn area, or a beachfront--this
is a big plus.
Menu: A broad selection that offers
something for everyone is what's best, and a children's
menu signals that a restaurant is welcoming and prepared
to serve its smallest patrons.
Competence and Coordination: Timing,
coordination, and a pleasant and accommodating demeanor
of restaurant staff go a long way. A waitress or waiter
who is willing to go the extra mile to make a family meal
a success? Unforgettable.
Must-Haves and Extras: A set of
crayons, a placemat with puzzles, cups with lids, having
things cut up into smaller pieces, highchairs, WiFi, or
other thoughtful things help parents more than words can
say.
Prices: Taking the whole family
out to eat can get expensive. Small kids don't eat much,
so a cost-conscious children's menu as well as family
specials can go a long way.
Atmosphere: Some restaurants are
more comfortable for families than others for different
reasons, which vary but are important for individual families
at different stages.
Tips
for Dining Out with the Family
Family dining in public at a restaurant
can be problematic. We want to enjoy our meals, but we
have to work a little, too.
As in everything, to make a dining out
experience pleasant for the whole family, a little planning
goes a long way. Here are a few tips:
Patronize restaurants you've heard
good things about. Try some of the restaurants nominated
for this award because each of them pleased some parent
enough for them to send in the name.
Avoid bringing overtired or overly
distressed children out to eat.
Expect to supervise and manage your
children so as to leave feeling proud and so as not
to disturb other patrons.
Set your expectations for behavior
before entering the restaurant.
Plan some quiet activities that your
children can do at the table while waiting, such as
a game, coloring, a puzzle, or other distraction.
Plan to converse a bit as a family,
for example, perhaps there are things to celebrate or
topics to begin. Practice listening and speaking skills.
Avoid disputes.
Make sure everyone uses their manners.
Reward good behavior with compliments
and perhaps a treat or small toy.
Have a peek at the menu if available
online before going to the restaurant.
Work with your server to bring young
ones something to start on while they wait.
Do not plan to stay beyond the point
of no return, and don't expect it to be like going out
alone without the kids.
Reasonable expectations are key.
* * *
Congratulations to The Hellenic! To visit
the Hellenic Snack Bar & Restaurant website, click
here.
Bon appetit to families! Enjoy!
|
