We had lunch with the dining club that brings toddlers and busy moms to Michelin-starred restaurants - here's what happened
The Michelin Guide's review of Betony praises its "grown-up restaurant" atmosphere, referencing its "gilded features, wood paneling, and well-spaced tables." Nibble and Squeak's lunch was hosted in the private room downstairs.
"When choosing restaurants for Nibble and Squeak, hospitality is extremely important. The staff needs to be friendly," Elders said. At Betony, the service was impeccable. "I used to babysit kids," a waiter told one of the mothers as he playfully made faces at her child. "Any chance you'd return to the business?" the mom joked.
Although the atmosphere was noisy, the parents seemed relaxed. Some came with friends, and others with just their child. "It's a relief for parents to enter a nice space like an upscale restaurant and know that they are expected and welcomed and prepared for!" said Elders.
Tickets for Betony's lunch cost $90 without wine, but prices range depending on the restaurant. "Luksus [in Brooklyn], was our most expensive so far, at $125," Elders said. Thanks to mommy blog Mommy Nearest, children eat for free.
Yuko came with her 16-month-old son, Jay. "I haven't eaten out at a nice place since before he was born," she said. "He's always ready to leave before the food even comes! He gets too cranky."
Some parents brought extra snacks for their children, in the off-chance that they didn't like their meal.
Luckily, Executive Chef Bryce Shuman knows a thing or two about the palate of two-year olds. A father himself, Shuman cooked a simple mac-and-cheese meal served in the same chic plates as the adults.
Toys, books, and children's utensils scattered the room.
A changing table was also available for use.
The adults ate a lunch off of Betony's traditional menu. This olive oil dip was a heavenly addition to the bread rolls.
Parents are encouraged to share food with their children, like this appetizer of lettuce velouté: puréed vegetables with a strong black pepper and cream.
"[The lunches are] definitely a nice way to find parents that are into the same kind of things," Elders said. "I overhear a lot of restaurant recommendations, recipe swapping, and tales of life with kids in tow."
!["[The lunches are] definitely a nice way to find parents that are into the same kind of things," Elders said. "I overhear a lot of restaurant recommendations, recipe swapping, and tales of life with kids in tow."](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-54468177,width-700,height-525,imgsize-71420/the-lunches-are-definitely-a-nice-way-to-find-parents-that-are-into-the-same-kind-of-things-elders-said-i-overhear-a-lot-of-restaurant-recommendations-recipe-swapping-and-tales-of-life-with-kids-in-tow-.jpg)
According to her mother, Lali is two, going on 25. "We go out, but I prefer loud, dark places," explained Lali's mother Mary. "That sounds terrible, but we can blend in that way [if she makes a fuss]."
Elders explained that for most parents, the fact that someone else was doing the cooking and cleanup is a huge relief. They finally get to sit and enjoy the food, and get some quality time with their kids.
When it comes to throwing Nibble and Squeak events in other cities such as Miami, Washington, DC, and London, Elders relies on parent volunteers who act as hosts. Here, Alexandra and her son Benjamin help host New York City-based events.
The main course was chicken with corn and wheat berries, an item highly recommended by Wells in his review of Betony. "Once you taste Betony's [chicken], though, you aren't likely to forget it," he wrote in his 2013 review.
Source: New York Times
Elders noted that the downtime between the main course and dessert is usually when kids get the most fussy. At Betony, they were running everywhere, interacting with one another and playing with their parents.
The dessert was a large pretzel flake with caramel and vanilla ice cream: a decadent twist on classic flavors.
Throughout the entire meal, nothing was off-limits when it came to climbing under tables, chairs, and their own parents.
"It's chaos," Elders said. "But it's a happy chaos."
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