SINGAPORE — Choosing where to dine when out with the children can be a tricky undertaking. Trust me, a five-year-old can be infuriatingly adamant about her craving for freshly made udon when in the heart of Orchard Road.

So I indulge these wants when I can afford it. Which is also why my two girls now share my enthusiasm for fixing a craving, even if it’s located a 25-minute-drive away.

That said, it’s also hard to argue with my now 10-year-old daughter when she starts to drool over “lots and lots of salmon roe (ikura)”. “Please daddy, I really feel like sushi,” she would purr before flashing her trusty Puss-In-Boots eyes. Still, I’m thankful that a happy meal with my children does not have to involve a free toy and a side of fries. Though it’s not without some unique challenges.

Finding the magic combination of good coffee, wine, cocktails, good food and high chairs is a challenge, said avid foodie and integrated communications agency owner Tan Su-Lyn. “Because, whatever my child does that may bother other diners is also likely to bother me.”

She and her husband make an effort to expose their children — Toby, five, and Tara, one-and-a-half — to varied dining experiences. “It’s important to us that they understand how to behave in a restaurant, enjoy a meal as a social occasion, and appreciate the efforts of all the people who work hard to make their meal possible,” she explained, adding that they continue to go to some of the restaurants they’ve always loved going to with their kids now in tow. “I remember taking our son to ODP (Open Door Policy) when he was tiny, and our daughter loves Bincho.” They do have to contend with Toby’s breakfast craving for croissant and have even developed a list of restaurants they can, creatively, claim serves his other favourite, chicken rice.

He likes hawker stall Sam Leong Hainanese Chicken Rice on Verdun Road. But for an occasional treat, the boy gets to have chicken rice at One-Ninety at Four Seasons Hotel where he also enjoys the child-sized portions of freshly made watermelon juice, the delicious warm bread and butter, and the option of having vanilla ice cream for dessert at the latter.

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL


Now that Toby is older and more open to new experiences, he is starting to surprise his parents with his requests. “His current obsessions include prawn tempura with udon, shabu shabu, yakiniku, Peking duck and satay — which covers anything on skewers, including yakitori.

“Our daughter is much more adventurous. She will ask to taste most things at least once. And will ask for more if it’s something she enjoys.” To be sure, experience breeds maturity. But it helps when children are less fussy with food. To their grandma’s delight, Angeline Yap’s two boys, aged 19 and 22, have been indulging easily in almost every variety of dim sum at the family’s fortnightly meal at Red Star since they were five — digging into steamed chicken feet, pig intestines and the likes. “They do have occasional requests for their favourites such as sushi at Sushi Tei and Kuishin Bo, but their all-time favourites are chicken rice and the economical chap chye at local food centres.

Now with bigger appetites and a higher threshold for spicy foods, the family explores a wider variety of cuisines. “We like Nyonya cuisine at Brooklyn Art Gallery Cafe at Kembangan and, of late, we like to visit Nakhon Thai,” said the head of training at Sephora. “We would also explore nice brunches at Symmetry and Wild Honey, or head to Pietrasanta Italian Restaurant for their famous burrata on special occasions.”

Similarly, Lu Minru, a mother of three boys, aged 7 to 10, was pleasantly surprised when her youngest, Kaeden, took an immediate liking to steamed chicken feet at the age of five. “He just said something like ‘hmm … nice’, and now normally has it with Peony Jade’s fried rice,” Lu recounted, adding that Chinese restaurants are also her preferred choice because they can be quite noisy, and, as such, diners won’t be too bothered should her boys get a little loud. “My husband and I love to dine out but most restaurants are not very suitable as we have three boys, so it is like dining with a circus,” she said. “Thus, we choose restaurants that are welcoming with a casual setting and lots of room.” District 10 in United Square, she shared, has a play area and Bouncy Castle on Sunday mornings, “and they have mini Black Angus beef burgers on the kid’s menu”.

Given the chance, children will continue to surprise their parents with their wonderfully unbiased palates. Ember Tan, 8, and her sister Lauren, 11, both love their steaks done medium-well, “especially the fatty ones”, said Lauren. Her sister, though, also likes to try various types of food, such as squid legs and beef tongue. “It’s funny that I can taste the cow and the cow can taste me,” she mused. We can only imagine the lively conversations she and her parents will be having over dinner as she grows up.

SOME OF OUR FAVE PLACES TO EAT OUT WITH THE KIDS

INSPIRED TREATS

Full Of Luck Club (243 Holland Ave, Tel: 6208 6845)

The brainchild of the team behind Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant, this newly opened restaurant (just yesterday) is the latest in casual Cantonese dining with a progressive take on the cuisine. Li Bai classics such as the full dim sum menu, BBQ char siew and the dish of braised spinach beancurd are more affordable here. The children, though, will also enjoy the oriental sliders for the Bao Bar, which include a panko-crusted Portobello bao (fried whole mushroom in teriyaki mayo sauce, S$9.80 for two), and to finish, a dessert bao (S$6 each) made with cocoa chips, toasted marshmallows and creamy honeycomb ice cream in between a fried bao. Seating is also available on the second floor, which should cut down on the time spent waiting in the queue on weekends.

Kuishin Bo (Suntec City North Wing #03-334, Tel: 6341 9200)

Most families are familiar with its range of Japanese fare which include zuwaikani (snow crabs), sushi, sashimi and hot dishes such as the kaminabe served in a paper pot. Prices also keep the family in mind, starting at S$36.90 per adult for lunch on weekdays. Children aged 12 years and below pay S$18.90. There is also a weekend family package for lunch at S$84.90 for 2 adults and one child (the second child is charged S$12). Best of all, the Suntec outlet boasts a dedicated kid’s buffet corner complete with popcorn and candy floss machines.

Jaime’s Italian (1 HarbourFront Walk #01 165-167 Vivo City, Tel: 6733 5500 / 583 Orchard Road #01 01-04 Forum, Tel: 6655 7676)

As you might expect, wholesome tasty food is the order of the day here. Plus, the children’s menu was recently updated to include highlights such as Jamie’s Proper Picnic Box (locally-sourced chicken in a wrap with rainbow vegetable crisps, seedless grapes, cherry tomatoes and a piece of fresh seasonal fruit), and the Fish Of The Day Baked In A Bag — a great way to explain to your child the merits of eating sustainable fish. Small and large portions are available. And there is plenty to keep the little ones in their seats while they wait for their parents to finish — from view masters (yes, they still make these) to good old crayons, stickers and paper crafts.

Eat Play Love (#01-07 Aliwal Arts Center, 28 Aliwal Street, Tel: 6444 6400)

Fun at lunch doesn’t have to involve a slide and lots of running around. This cosy cafe is the ideal respite where you can enjoy some simple Thai and Western fare, while the children indulge in a bit of creative play at the Craft Corner. For just S$5 an hour (2 hours on weekdays), they get access to all the art materials they can use. There’s also a range of easy crafts for guests to purchase and complete while they chow down on a relaxed meal.

Eat At Seven (Suntec Vity Sky Garden, Level 3)

As the name implies, this unique cluster of seven new-to-market Japanese F&B concepts offers well-priced variety. They include sustainable tuna at Maguro Donya Miura Misakikou; charcoal-grilled fare Warayaki-style at Enbu (which uses imported hay to impart a light smoky flavour), and even a Japanese version of a Korean barbeque, NikuNoh, where you can also have beef tongue. Nigiro specialises in Japanese-Italian cuisine if someone must have pasta. And, yes, you can dine at one restaurant and order select dishes from the other concepts — great when you’ve got picky siblings.

INDOOR-OUTDOOR FUN

Timber at Gillman (Gillman Barracks, 9A Lock Road, Tel: 6694 4201)

Its green expanse complements an already expensive menu of bistro classics. Its Saturday Social BBQ (available from 4pm), however, takes full advantage of the al fresco setting. This is a celebration of live music, dancing and grilled meats — from baby back ribs and potterhouse steaks to char-grilled lamb chops, glazed pork loin and grilled basa fish, to name a few. Plus, there’s plenty of craft activities to keep the young ones occupied while mummy and daddy go back for seconds.

Open Farm Community (130E Minden Road, Tei: 6471 0306)

This is where diners can get up close with some of the ingredients in their dishes. Kids and parents alike are free to tour the garden and pick up insights from farm managers and volunteers who are always eager to share. Some dishes are just right for sharing but there’s also a kid’s menu featuring four savoury options such as a rustic fish pie with thyme from the garden, and for dessert, a trio of homemade ice cream with sable cookies. Yes, there is a playground, with a sand pit for the little ones and a ping pong table for big kids. For a bit of eco-cool post-lunch shopping, Tinydipity sells children’s wear and accessories made with sustainable material such as organic cotton.

Huber’s Bistro (22 Dempsey Road, Tel: 6737 1488)

Also located in the Dempsey enclave is this recently relocated two-storey butchery with an al fresco bistro. The gated play area keeps the little ones safely contained while they work up an appetite in the shade. The menu is extensive, from soups to charcuterie to seven types of sausages. And if the family loves their beef, main courses include braised grain-fed beef short rib, Angus steak as well as a dry-aged beef burger. Who needs a kid’s menu when there is so much to dig into family-style?

Cafe Melba (90 Goodman Road, Goodman Arts Centre, Block N #01-56, Tel: 6440 6068)

This is not just a favourite spot for families living in the east. And it’s easy to see why. The 120-seater cafe boasts plenty of space for the little ones to romp — there is even a Bouncy Castle on the weekends. But the cafe also delivers on weekend classics, whether you’re looking to get your Eggs Benedict fix or have built up an appetite for a proper weekend roast.

District 10 at UE Square (81 Clemenceau Avenue #01-15/16/17 UE Square Shopping Mall, Tel: 6738 4788)

The brunch menu here ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for unpretentious, hearty grub to ease yourself into the weekend. You can choose to start with Belgian waffles or dig into a Florentine Eggs Benedict — poached eggs on toasted brioche with sauteed spinach and pesto hollandaise sauce. Or you can skip breakfast and dive straight into a Philly Cheese Steak. And let’s not forget the mini Black Angus beef burgers on the kids menu, which junior will appreciate after a trip to the Bouncy Castle (Sundays only). And, yes, there are pasta and pizza dishes too.