Dining out with kids

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol and Esme Infante Nii
Advertiser Staff Writers

Ella Axelrod, 3 1/2, plays in the sandbox at Dixie's Bar & Grill on Ward Avenue, while her mother Bernadette, grandfather Ted Bonner, and father Mike, enjoy their dinner. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

More restaurants in Hawai'i and on the Mainland these days actually seem intent on welcoming families that have children, say some parents, although they're speaking purely anecdotally.

"These days you see more high chairs, things on the table like crayons, things (printed) on menu placemats," said Alan Iwasaki, a Hilo father of two. "They're much more cognizant of the needs of families.

... Hey, I never used to get crayons and (keiki) menus when I was growing up!"

Liz Chun, a mother of three, and the executive director of the Good Beginnings Alliance, a private, nonprofit agency that encourages healthy development of young

children, agrees that although Hawai'i doesn't have as many kiddie-themed restaurants or eateries with playgrounds as you might see on the Mainland, local restaurants still do "a darn good job" serving families.

If your family happens to frequent an establishment that isn't doing the best job accommodating families with children, you don't have to simply tolerate it, she said.

"You can make friendly suggestions," Chun said. "Parents can become advocates. They can take a look at places in their own community and 'take ownership.'" She recommended that parents who approach restaurant owners first take a friendly and supportive tone, thanking them for the work they do, before offering ideas and even help to improve the restaurant' cleanliness, safety and kid-friendliness.

The best family restaurants provide high chairs for little ones and have clean bathrooms, Chun said.

"I think having a children's menu makes a big difference," she added. Kid-friendly restaurants offer foods that are fun and easy to eat, such as finger foods or spaghetti, as well as "healthy" foods, such as carrot sticks.

An understanding wait staff that accommodates the needs of parents and children is also key, Chun said. For example, parents are always grateful for waiters who don't mind when children ask questions or accidentally drop food onto the floor.

Other pluses include restaurants that provide children with crayons and sheets of paper, and complimentary pre-meal snacks such as crackers to keep kids occupied while they wait.

"Long waits are not good for kids," Chun said. "They don't like waiting."

To aid families in their search for kid-friendly restaurants, we asked our readers to write to the 'Ohana section and share their favorites.

Bernadette Axelrod of Ma'ili, mother of 3à-year-old Ella, said Dixie's Bar & Grill on Ward Avenue was her choice for a fun and friendly restaurant.

"The number one attraction at this restaurant for our family is the private sandbox, complete with toys that sits just beside the outdoor lanai section," Axelrod wrote. "Our daughter will pipe up and say, 'Dixie's! Dixie's! To play in the sandbox!' whenever my husband and I are talking about going out to dinner.

"Tables and floor are wood, and you can feel comfortable about making a little mess ... There's already sand on the floor!" Axelrod said.

All Star Hawaii in Waikiki was Janet Laconsay's pick for a restaurant with a great environment for children. Laconsay, of Pearl City, said her daughter, Colby Irwin, recently had her 10th birthday party there, and not only was the experience fun for the kids, it was educational as well.

"All Star Hawaii has a paddling museum and features local, top sports athletes," Laconsay wrote. "The cases display pictures and memorabilia of local sumo wrestlers, surfers, football players, canoe paddlers and Special Olympians."

Great meals and deals

A wide selection of reasonably-priced grinds for picky young eaters to choose from is another characteristic that readers say influence their restaurant choice.

"Our favorite place to eat is Columbia Inn in Kaimuki," wrote Sharleen Anderson of Hawai'i Kai, mother of Michael, 4à, and Tyler, 6à. Anderson said the restaurant's "terrific keiki menu" is just right for her boys.

"There (are) many choices, like teri chicken, chicken cutlet and fish (I don't know the rest because that's all the boys will eat)," Anderson wrote. "The plate has generous portions, comes with a little toy, a beverage (including milk), steamed, fresh vegetables and dessert ... all this for under $5!"

Linda Matsuura of 'Aiea recommends Zippy's Restaurant in Kapolei.

"Although my children are no longer 'kids,' we've been going to Zippy's (in Kapolei) every Friday since they've been in existence," wrote Matsuura, mother of four children — Jason, 22, Christine, 20, Michelle, 18, and Lee,16. "We enjoy Kapolei Zippy's because they cater to my children's tastes (saimin, fried noodles, fried chicken, Italian chicken, cornbread, etc.) ... They also offer a healthier menu, which is good.

"It's a family restaurant that has its own keiki menu and prices, they have coloring materials for the little ones, and (the wait staff) even give the little ones nickels to get a prize from their vending machine."

Attentive service

For many parents, understanding and attentive staff help is key to a good experience.

Matsuura said the service at Zippy's Restaurant in Kapolei is excellent.

"We especially enjoy the waitresses," Matsuura said. "They are fun to talk to and, because we've been going there for years, some of them know our order."

Stacy Hernandez of 'Alewa Heights, mother of 15-month-old Raquel, also emphasized the importance of accommodating staff help.

"We have been taking our now-1-year-old daughter to restaurants since she was about 3 months old, and by far the most kid-friendly restaurant is the California Pizza Kitchen in Kahala Mall," Hernandez wrote. "We never feel awkward taking our little girl there, as the staff is friendly and understanding to the needs of parents. CPK Kahala goes out of its way to be helpful. The environment is pleasant."

Not only does Hernandez appreciate the great staff and service at California Pizza Kitchen in Kahala Mall, she also likes the clientele it attracts.

"We have had experiences in other restaurants where patrons would be seated next to us, take one look at my daughter and ask the waitress to please move them to another table," Hernandez said. "We have never experienced this at CPK, as the clientele it attracts seem to be kid-friendly as well."