Hey mum, pass the oystersAnd even advice
Kylie Hansen
January 07, 2009 12:00am
AN army of tiny, sophisticated child foodies is changing Melbourne's dining scene.
Personalised and multi-course menus, allergy-sensitive dining and sandpits are part of an arsenal of offerings by restaurants and cafes to lure children.
And it's food-savvy children who are often in charge of where parents spend their restaurant dollars, according to industry experts.
* Kids' menu: Parents campaign for better food for children
* Tips and links: How to enjoy eating with kids
"The child diner is a growth industry," said Restaurant and Catering Victoria CEO Todd Blake.
"Children are becoming more sophisticated diners than in the past, and business is starting to see the importance of children in terms of their appeal.
"Often it is the four-year-old who has control of the $130 parents spend on dinner."
The Pantry in Brighton offers crayons, tablecloths that double as drawing paper, takeaway child juices and milkshakes to match mum's coffee, and 4pm dinner starts.
"It can be a bit of a zoo in here sometimes and there are perils to child dining -- waiters sometimes end up being childcare workers," said Pantry manager Tim Purton-Smith.
Gail Donovan, of Donovans, said she had noticed a change in the role of children.
"Parents are more relaxed to be out with their kids," Ms Donovan said.
"We notice lots of little babies here and from age four they become quite sophisticated at eating out.
"While we offer a child menu, we find many parents talk them through the main menu and children order from that."
Even the city's high-end establishments are happy to cater to children.
"We do get regular guests who make it a priority to bring their children so that they can show them fine dining," said Vue de monde marketing manager Anna Augustine.
She said the adjoining Bistro Vue offered a children's menu, with mains $16.
The Boathouse restaurant in Moonee Ponds offers a children's menu and will customise food to a child's tastes.
The Boathouse menu doubles as a colouring sheet while Birdie Num Nums cafe in Carlton has installed a sandpit and enclosed play area.
Even Lynch's in South Yarra, well known for its no-child policy, is considering letting children in to its soon-to-be-opened bistro area.
Tips to dining with kidsAll those so called "children's meals" at fast food joints - Happy Meal anyone? - are a con job, equally marketed to parents as well as their children. Why would a child eat that junk when they can discover interesting cuisine.
Kylie Hansen
January 06, 2009 12:00am
TIPS to successful dining with kids
Some ideas from Jacqi Deighan, chef, children’s food educator and spokeswoman for the Parents Jury:
YOUR local Thai, Japanese, Greek or Indian are often a good starting point, as they have a wide variety of flavors and tastes to try.
IF the children’s menus is not to your liking, encourage children to order from the main menu. Within reason allow them to choose what they want to try. Avoid saying ‘You won’t like that’ and consider ordering one for everyone to share. Praise them for trying new things.
IF your kids are only used to kids menus try expanding their taste buds a little. Restaurants that offer ‘tasting plates’ are a great way to introduce new foods and flavors. Middle Eastern, Spanish, Turkish and Greek restaurants are good at this.
MAKE sure your kids are hungry but not ravenous as they may try something new but if they are starving they may become irritable and restless.
EAT early, before the restaurant becomes too busy, and leave before boredom sets in.
MAKE it an experience the kids will want to repeat and let them see you eating and enjoying good food.
I was at a food court once and overheard a child asking her mother for some satay sticks at a curry stall. Her mother's reaction was to refuse and take her to McDonald's. I was appalled. Grown ups with no palate for tasty food are depriving their children and responsible for them eating junk.
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Today was a very hot day.
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