Fine Dining With The Kids This Summer

We round up some of the best fine-dining options for children in the capital

One of the best things about living in London is the vast number of restaurants on our doorsteps, but so many of them disappoint with dumbed-down children’s menus featuring the ubiquitous fish fingers and sausages. However, the trend for fine dining is now being adapted for little ones, with a number of restaurants offering something more adventurous for those willing to give it a go!

TREDWELL’S: When I took my two-year-old to Marcus Wareing’s Covent Garden restaurant, Tredwell’s, I had no idea what to expect. While she is definitely a good eater at home, we were pretty sure she would be sceptical of an eight-course tasting menu packed with new flavours and more sophisticated dishes. It started well with the first three courses arriving together and she instantly devoured the “cheeky chorizo jam, egg yolk and avocado tartlets”, a plate of “harissa glazed aubergine, cool coconut and coriander” and a salad of tomatoes with “beautiful balsamic”. She even surprised us by finishing off her older friend’s tartlet! The courgette and pea dumpling was not quite as successful but I happily took over as they were absolutely delicious. Mini pulled pork sliders were the biggest hit with all the children, who loved being the focus of the meal with all the tasting courses and special attention from the lovely waiting staff.

The absolute highlight was being invited down to the kitchen to meet the chefs and operate the ice cream machine. Things went very quiet when the little ones reappeared with bowls of salted caramel ice cream topped with honeycomb. And after trying another two courses of chocolate brownie and “yummy yuzu parfait” they were most content. Even the resulting sugar rush, which (embarrassingly!) saw my toddler lying on the floor in the middle of the restaurant didn’t seem to phase anyone. At £17 a head it is not the cheapest, but we loved the experience and came away with a renewed enthusiasm to be more adventurous when eating out, and when cooking for the family at home.

With the restaurant booking website, Bookatable.co.uk, reporting that nearly 80% of parents complain of a lack of good food options for children when eating out, and two-thirds of parents finding children’s menus to be unhealthy, the trend for healthy dining options for younger clientele could not come at a better time. Let’s hope the trend is here to stay!

NOBU LONDON

It is world-famous for exquisite Japanese food and a luxurious dining experience, and now your little ones can enjoy it too. Nobu London is celebrating summer and ensuring all the family are happy by launching an exclusive new bento box for children. The delicious and nutritious box, which is a miniature version of the classic Nobu bento box, is made with the highest-quality ingredients and packed with salmon and avocado rolls, chicken kushi yaki and teriyaki mixed vegetables. A perfect introduction to tasty Japanese flavours which your child is sure to love. Mini Bento boxes are priced at £19.50 each.

WAHACA

Introduce your child to the wonders of Mexican food at Thomasina Miers’s Wahaca chain, with restaurants all over London. Whilst enjoying your favourite tacos, tacquitos and tostadas, you can relax in the knowledge that the kids’ menu offers a range of mini Mexican delights that just as nice, but without too much spice. Children get a drink and a main – such as cheesy quesadillas or baby burritos – for £5 and ice-cream for just £1.20 extra. And while they wait for their food, they can even colour in their menu.

Check out some other child-friendly dining options here: http://www.bookatable.co.uk/child-friendly-restaurants
And for even more foodie goodness, including recipes with Georgie Soskin from Cooking Them Healthy, interviews with Thomasina Miers and POTAGE founder, Georgia Cummings, plus more click here.