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Ruby
Foo’s
2182 Broadway, at 77th St.
212-724-6700
1626 Broadway, at 49th St.
212-489-5600
brguestrestaurants.com
Theatrical décor and imaginative (and very good) cuisine
make these cavernous spaces pre-theater favorites both in
Times Square and near the Beacon Theater. Culinary emperor
Steve Hanson woos kids with his dim sum assortment of noodles,
sushi, spare ribs, and other Pan-Asian favorites—plus
a PB&J roll. Request a table with a lazy Susan and eat family-style.
(M–VE)
Saigon Grill
1700 Second Ave., at 88th St.
212-996-4600
620 Amsterdam Ave., at 90th St.
212-875-9072
saigongrill.com
Kids love Vietnamese food, especially the delicate angel-hair
noodle dishes and the grilled pork chops on the bone. There’s
no décor to speak of here, except for the fake banana
and coconut trees, but the restaurant offers a quick meal
of intricately seasoned dishes including crispy vegetable
dumplings and summer rolls filled with shrimp, sprouts, and
mint. A nice alternative to Chinese. (I)
Sambuca
20 W. 72nd St., near Columbus Ave.
212-787-5656
sambucanyc.com
Anyone who thinks that “family-style” Italian
means only red-sauce pasta, veal, and chicken dishes hasn’t
visited this wonderful Upper West Side spot with an inventive
children’s menu. Order in portions serving two to three,
and don’t miss the fruit-and-grilled-vegetable salad
with yogurt dressing if it’s offered. (I-M)
The
Sea Grill
Rockefeller Center; 19 W. 49th St., near Fifth Ave.
212-332-7610
restaurantassociates.com
This premier restaurant has a split personality: The Adam
Tihany–designed dining room shouts seashore with a bubble-covered
floor, while outdoor seating melds with the Rock Center ice-rink
festivities. A showcase for chef Ed Brown’s super-fresh,
beautifully prepared seafood, Sea Grill is overseen by knowledgeable
wait staff who happily attend to your little ones and serve
non-fish basics like pasta and chicken followed by an “artists’
palette” of mini sorbet cones that all will love. (E-VE)
Serendipity
3
225 E. 60th St., near Second Ave.
212-838-3531
serendipity3.com
Heavy on the everything, including nostalgia, Serendipity
3’s whirlwind of antiques, toys, and kids is perfect
for a little girl’s birthday party. Big burgers, towering
sundaes, and drinks like apricot smushes are perennial favorites,
but the must-try frozen hot chocolate is what everyone orders.
(I–M)
Shore
41 Murray St., near W. Broadway
212-962-3750
You’ll think you’ve gone to Marblehead for the
weekend when you dine at this casual oyster bar and tavern.
It’s not quite a New England clam shack, but the fried
clams are incredible, the lobster roll tastes pretty darn
good, and the fresher-than-fresh raw bar is a thing of beauty.
Kids have their own menu and can order as many oyster crackers
as their little hearts desire. The lofted seating area is
perfect for a noisy group. (M-E)
SouthWest
NY
2 World Financial Center, at Liberty St.
212-945-0528
southwestny.com
Park yourself at the marble café tables outside and enjoy
the view of the Hudson River while dining on nachos and other
southwest goodies at this World Financial Center eatery. Inside,
there’s a water wall that tempts kids to splash. (I–M)
Stage
Deli
1481 Second Ave., at 77th St.
212-439-9989
stagedelieast.com
There’s a steady parade of strollers at the Upper East
Side branch of this 67-year-old New York institution. With
lots of space inside, crayons and toys for the kids, and a
menu that thankfully offers “half-sandwiches”
of colossal classics like pastrami and corned beef, the Stage
is super-easy and super-filling. Sandwiches are named for
city VIPs like Rudy Giuliani and Derek Jeter, who survey the
scene from a wall-long mural. (I-M)
Tony’s
Di Napoli
1606 Second Ave., at 83rd St.
212-861-8686
147 W. 43rd St., near Broadway
212-221-0100
tonysdinapoli.com
To truly appreciate these restaurants, come with a large family
and a large appetite. Portions are huge, designed to serve
two to three people. Arrive before 6 p.m. to avoid waiting
and waiting. And waiting. Sam the balloon man is a weekend
fixture. (I–M)
Two
Boots
212-505-2276
twoboots.com
A veritable Hollywood Squares of obscure celebs, auteurs,
and fictional characters, the menu boasts pizzas like the
Tony Clifton (wild mushrooms, vidalia onions, sweet red-pepper
pesto, and mozzarella), the Mel Cooley (sun-dried tomatoes,
basil, pesto, ricotta, and roasted peppers) and the Larry
Tate (spinach, plum tomatoes, ricotta, and garlic on a white
pie). (I–M)
Utsav Festive India
1185 Sixth Ave., at 46th St.
212-575-2525
On weekends, you’ll find yourself side-by-side with
Indian families savoring “authentic original”
Indian cuisine at airy, super-friendly Utsav. They’ll
dial down the spiciness as you wish, and the tandoori chicken
won’t leave a red stain on your hands—it’s
the real thing, which means a golden brown, not red, crispness.
Cool the burn with a delicious “shake” of fresh
yogurt and mango, or a bite of peshwari naan—bread stuffed
with nuts, raisins, pistachios, and maraschino cherries. (M)
Virgil’s
Real BBQ
152 W. 44th St., near Broadway
212-921-9494
virgilsbbq.com
The burgundy hand towel you get in lieu of a napkin is the
tip-off: You don’t do Virgil’s with your pinkie
up. This is barbecue you’re supposed to lick off your
fingers. The gimmick is wet and dry BBQ styles from around
the country, plus crayons, coloring books, and killer hot
dogs. (M–E)
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