My Favorite UWS Spots

Planning to hit the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with your kids? Or even the parade balloon’s inflation the day before (3-6pm around the Museum of Natural History)

MiniMunchers has a few suggestions to help you navigate the restaurant scene on the UPPER WEST SIDE with kiddies and hopefully enjoy the experience (both the balloons and dining out with the kiddies!) in the meantime. —

1. Fatty Crab (www.fattycrab.com) – A relative new-comer to the UWS restaurant scene, this Malaysian inspired restaurant serves up a children’s menu that actually reflects what adults are eating – from dumplings with soy to fish fry in a box. With a following of trendy Upper West Siders, Fatty Crab is also a fun place for adults to eat, whether you choose the cool indoor dining room (with exposed brick) or the outdoor seating. Fatty Crab is a great choice for your adventurous eaters.

2. Brother Jimmy’s BBQ (www.brotherjimmys.com) – Yes, Brother Jimmy’s is a bar, but who knew that Kids eat FREE, YES FREE with an adults entrée – AND the food is good. The menu is also a fun diversion – instead of spelling out the entrée selections – there are pictures for Munchers to guess – like a “chicken” and a “hand” for Chicken Fingers.

3. Café Blossom (www.blossomnyc.com) – Finally, a great organic and yes VEGAN restaurant close to the Museum of Natural History. You and your mini will be full and happy after eating at this Upper West Side spot. Situated right next to Kidville (which BTW offers great kiddie haircuts) your tot can be “fooled” into eating 100% vegan “grilled cheese” or “soy sticks” – don’t forget the vegan chocolate for dessert…YUM!

4. The City Grill – Yes, they have a typical kids menu (grilled cheese with fries, mac N’ cheese, chicken fingers with fries, etc.) but it all comes with a drink and dessert (ice cream scoop) for $7.95. A great deal for great portions. The waiters are used to kids – crayons and a coloring mat are presented upon seating – and you can easily roll a stroller in (when it is not crowded) I WOULD avoid the weekend brunch as it does get crowded with a hip UWS brunching crew (I guess the bloody mary’s are great!) BEWARE the bathrooms are VERY small and not conducive to changing little ones.

5.Landmarc (www.landmarc-restaurant.com) –Landmarc has one of the most extensive children’s menus that I have ever seen, Landmarc really knows what kids want – from standards like macaroni and cheese and chicken fingers with fries to green eggs and ham, PB and Nutella or a petit filet mignon. Chef Marc Murphy also treats adults to a wonderful meal, the cesare salad and onion soup are great standouts for appetizers – and the Mussels with fries (served with ketchup and a mayo sauce!) and fish and pasta entrees are savory! Of course the views of Central Park could almost trump any meal you get. BONUS, if your kids/your tip %u263A are really good – your server might bring cotton candy to the table for dessert!

Visit www.MiniMunchers.com for the complete children’s menus of over 200 great restaurants in NYC! MiniMunchers also offers great weekly discounts on children’s products and classes in our “Goodie Bag” as well as advice from experts on making your eating experiences with kids enjoyable – from celebrities to restaurateurs to Moms-in- the-know!

HAPPY MUNCHING!

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp offers five daily rotating activities such as swimming, ice skating gymnastics, rock climbing, parkour, indoor/outdoor turf, and courts plus more in its ample 175,000 sq. ft. facility and 35-acre outdoor area. Aviator Summer Camp also offers off-site and on-site field trips such as a day at Green Meadows Farm, Launch Trampoline Park, and a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The summer camp runs from 9 am-5 pm with early drop off and late stay available. Bus transportation is also available throughout Brooklyn. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included. Sign up by February 28th to receive up to $300 off camp with early bird discounts.

New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

Summer Game Camp There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including &ndash; - Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers! - Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more! - Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch! - A digital campus! - Moderated chat hours! &nbsp; Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more! Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm &nbsp; Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons &amp; Dragons No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons &amp; Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons &amp; Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons &amp; Dragons workshop!&nbsp; &nbsp; Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together! &nbsp; Dungeons &amp; Dragons Junior No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons &amp; Dragons games. Our Dungeons &amp; Dragons Jr. game provides a D&amp;D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons &amp; Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&amp;D so they can eventually move onto the main game.