Before we moved to Richmond, we’d already heard about the city and its burgeoning food scene, touted by Forbes as “a hidden culinary gem” in a 2021 article. Our first house hunting trip sans kids was disappointing on the home-search front but gratifying, in that we got to try dishes at Peter Chang, Lehja, and Perly’s. Our enthusiasm for Richmond’s restaurants was tempered, however, by the realization that next time we’d have to drag along our two- and four-year-olds.
Luckily, we soon discovered that with a little planning, it’s not too hard to have your xiaolongbao and eat them too. Here are seven tips for dining out with littles so that your experience can be as painless as possible. In general, preparation is key.
Minimize your wait time.
If a restaurant takes reservations or maintains a call-ahead list, take advantage of it. Aim to arrive fifteen minutes early and you’ll probably make it there just in time. (In my case, we’re always just one unanticipated bathroom break away from being late.) For places that are first come, first served, try to go on an off-peak day or at least an off-peak time.
Review the menu before you go.
Decide what you’ll order for the kids in advance – and when you arrive at the restaurant, order their food immediately alongside the drink order. Politely ask if the kids’ orders can be brought out as soon as possible. When kids are eating, kids are occupied!
While the kids’ menu is usually a great value with standard favorites like chicken fingers and cheeseburgers, don’t forget to consider the regular menu, too. There might be an appetizer (like mozzarella sticks), a side (like rice and beans), or even an entrée (like teriyaki chicken) that could work for your children and give them a break from typical kid fare.
BYO snacks.
Most toddlers and preschoolers haven’t quite mastered the art of patience, so quell those “When’s the food going to be here?!” cries by bringing your own snacks. These can be deployed as needed to avoid a hangry meltdown. While bringing your own food to a restaurant might seem like a faux pas, I’ve never had any issues with this technique.
Since many kids’ menu items aren’t the healthiest, if your kids do okay with veggies or fruit, pack some that they can eat as an appetizer before their food arrives. My kids love cucumbers and raw bell peppers, so I typically bring these along and feel accomplished when they are getting some veggies with their meal.
Bring distractions.
Drawing or coloring is one way to keep kids busy. Options range from traditional crayons and coloring books to magnetic drawing boards and other mess-free erasable boards. Additional ideas for quiet activities include magnetic puzzles, vinyl sticker sets, small quiet toys, or action figures.
While tablets or electronic devices are also an option, I avoid letting the kids use them at restaurants because of the inevitable tantrum that happens when I say it must be turned off while eating. If that isn’t a worry for your kids, though, go for it!
BYO booster seat if you need one.
Many restaurants have highchairs, but they may not have boosters (and there’s no guarantee one will be available). Consider bringing your own – a simple cushion works well for older kids, while a folding travel booster seat is great for the under-two set. And if you’re a germophobe, you might appreciate having your own booster seat as it’s likely cleaner than the one at the restaurant.
When they’ve gotta go, be prepared.
Put together a portable toileting kit and take it with you to the restaurant. For infants, a diaper bag is a necessity, but with toilet-trained preschoolers, you can slim down your pack. Our four must-haves include: a folding travel potty seat so your kid can easily sit down without falling in; large disposable toilet seat covers that shield tiny hands and legs from touching anything on the sides or front of the toilet seat; post-it notes to cover the automatic sensor on the toilet so your child won’t be spooked by an unexpected flush; and wipes in case of any messy clean-ups.
Since toddlers can be irrational and picky, I also recommend preparing for a worst-case scenario by having a travel potty seat in the trunk of your car. If your child isn’t comfortable in the restaurant’s bathroom for any reason (there’s loud music playing, the lighting is too dim, the toilet seat is a different color than yours at home, etc.), they’ll have the option of using the car potty. It’s better to make a quick trip to the car versus risk having an accident at the dinner table.
Ask for the check if you won’t be ordering anything else.
The earlier you can close out your check, the better. You can still finish your meal at your preferred pace, but you won’t need to worry about flagging down your server during a toddler meltdown (the likelihood of which increases as time passes). You’ll be able to leave quickly if you need to because you’ve already settled the bill.
Finally, try to tidy the dining area of any excessive messes. Deconstruct the sugar packet tower, consolidate the shredded napkins, and follow the “pack in, pack out” rule for any trash related to items you brought into the restaurant. The goal is for your server to not regret being assigned to your table – and if you truly appreciated their service, leave a good tip. All of this will help show your kids how to be courteous and respectful when dining out.
It’s always a good idea to go in with lowered expectations and a healthy dose of patience. The more you dine out with your kids, the more accustomed they’ll get to the experience. You’ll also help your children build cultural awareness by exposing them to different settings and different cuisines. So, while you may not have the ideal experience at a restaurant when you’re with the kids, remember that you are still having an experience. And most importantly, you’re still getting to taste all the great food that Richmond has to offer!
