Kids Chicago - August 17, 2009

Fork It Over

Melissa Graham's Tips for Dining Out with Kids

It takes more than a booster seat and a sympathetic waiter to eat out with kids. Melissa Graham of Purple Asparagus, a nonprofit devoted to family dining, offers these tips for braving restaurants with your brood.

1. Go early. When a restaurant first opens for the day, the staff is more patient and food arrives more quickly.

2. Think outside the menu. If no kids’ dishes are offered, get creative: Ask for dipping sauces on the side or request a smaller portion of a main entree.

3. Choose restaurants carefully. Surprising hits are Big Jones (5347 North Clark Street, at Summerdale Avenue, Andersonville; 773-275-5725), where kids under 12 eat free every day, 4-6 p.m.; and Itto Sushi (2616 North Halsted Street, between Diversey Parkway and Wrightwood Avenue; 773-871-1800), which serves tot-friendly maki (carrot, avocado) on mini cartoon-adorned plates.

4. Take your own entertainment, such as crayons, wooden toys, or a downloadable activity place mat, designed exclusively for DailyCandy.

Now you can bring fun to the table.

Purple Asparagus holds its annual fundraiser, Corks & Crayons, on August 30 at Uncommon Ground, 1401 West Devon Avenue, at Glenwood Avenue. For more information, go to purpleasparagus.com. Tickets online at brownpapertickets.com.

Photo credit: Letterform

SHOP
Children’s Wear Fashion Cafe
What: Local kids’ clothing designers (Benny and Moon, Chapter One Organics, CourtneyCourtney, more) band together for a sale.
Why: Stock up for the school year.
When: Thurs., 5-8 p.m.
Where: Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., at Michigan Ave. (312-744-6630).

SURF
Curious Corner
What: The Art Institute of Chicago’s just-launched children’s website combines gaming and storytelling to introduce various artists and genres.
Why: Eye Spy meets hide-and-seek in the Match Up section.
When: The next rainy day.
Where: Online at artinstituteofchicago.org.

REGISTER
Navigating the School Search
What: Study up on different types of schools, application processes, admission policies, and more at this eight-week seminar.
Why: Make the grade.
When: Register now. Sept. 8-Oct. 27. Tues., 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Where: Bubbles Academy, 1504 N. Fremont St., at Blackhawk St. To sign up, call 312-944-7677.