Eleven restaurants where you can gently expand your child’s palate
While at a business dinner abroad, you order in your worst foreign tongue. The server delivers an ugly, scaly whole fish that locks its gooey eyeballs with yours. Do you eat it or bolt?
Whether you have the coping chops for this kind of situation depends a lot on your childhood food experience. A kid neither exposed to nor expected to eat anything more than good ol’ burgers, chicken nuggets, French fries and PB & J is at a clear disadvantage. Ellyn Satter, a registered dietitian nutritionist, family therapist and guru of child feeding, suggests pairing previously unexplored foods with those that are familiar — a platter of Brussels Sprouts Surprise seems far less frightening when some nice, safe bread and milk are also within reach.
So why not start stretching the kids’ palates right now? Below are some familiar culinary conduits to help challenge (and expand) your youngster’s taste buds. The restaurants and new flavors are relatively realistic for children, and a handful designed for the daredevil diner.
A thought: Consider your own plate, too. When was the last time you tried a new flavor or texture? Try something different yourself — that might help your son or daughter take a few chances, too.
Familiar dish: Baked goods
Restaurant: Crumbles (2525 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway)
New tastes: Currants (in the Eccles Cake) or apricot (in the Apricot Ginger tray bake)
Kid perk: Fragrant and not fancy or intimidating
Parent perk: Well-priced, from scratch, few ingredients, fresh made
Note: Charming (complete with lovely accent) baker-owner Moira Agardi goes for a run each morning before heading to the kitchen.
Familiar dish: Scrambled eggs
Restaurant: Sunrise Café (8975 S. Eastern)
New taste: Cheese omelet (“TKO” — Tiny Kid Omelet — served with bananas, wheat toast, drink). Pass up the cheddar or American for feta, Swiss or pepper jack cheese. Pay 50 cents each for additional ingredients such as green pepper or olives to further push the palate.
Kid perk: Prize from the Treasure Chest with kids’ meals; also, spotted at last visit: kids eating in pajamas
Parent perk: Diner-like, friendly, warm mom ’n’ pop feel
Note: For an extra $2, adults may have the TKO (or other kids’ meals), too.
Familiar dish: Pizza
Restaurant: Dom Demarco’s Pizzeria & Bar (9785 W. Charleston Boulevard)
New Tastes: Such toppings as eggplant, artichoke, vegan cheese, caramelized onions
Kid perk: Outdoor patio, next door to pet store, across from frozen yogurt shop
Parent perk: Full bar, still feels classy, plenty of parking, sports on the many TV screens
Note: After a lifetime of plain or pepperoni only, my 12 year-old requested a slice of our spinach, basil and mushroom at our last visit.
Familiar dish: Something fried
New taste: Sweet potato (fries)
Restaurant: Rachel’s Kitchen (7010 N. Durango, 3330 S. Hualapai, 2265 Village Walk, 9691 Trailwood)
Kid perk: Most locations are near a park or play area
Parent Perk: Plenty of tasty salads, smoothies, “light” options such as a 143-calorie breakfast sandwich
Also try: zucchini fries at LBS: A Burger Joint at Red Rock Casino (11011 W. Charleston). Remember to walk in the side entrance near Hachi and avoid leaving smelling like an ashtray.
Note: While fried foods are not ideal, the familiar texture could start the ball rolling to gain acceptance of shrimp and cooked vegetables.
Familiar dish: Noodles
Restaurant: Kaba Curry (5115 Spring Mountain Road)
New tastes: Udon, curry
Kid perk: Fun approach to ordering — select base dish, spice level, limitless sides and toppings
Parent perk: Chance to expose the kids to a variety of flavors and textures to go in the udon
Note: Go beyond the main dish; consider a melon soda float with green tea ice cream
Familiar dish: Tortillas
Restaurant: Leticia’s Mexican Cocina (7585 Norman Rockwell Lane)
New tastes: Carne asada, carnitas or birria (made with goat)
Kid perk: Festive décor, outdoor seating
Parent perk: The real deal, authentic and homemade; the owner/chef is right in the kitchen
Note: The tortilla can be a gateway to the land of crepes. Try Tasty Crepes (4845 S. Fort Apache Road) and encourage your child to order one filled with kiwi, mango and blueberry.
New taste: “Adult” grilled-cheese sandwich
Restaurants: MTO Café (500 S. Main St.) for the brie, local honey, toasted walnuts on brioche. Todd English PUB (3720 Las Vegas Blvd. S.) for brie, double-smoked bacon, tomato. MelTeez Food Truck ( usmenuguide.com/melteez/index.html) for the No. 7, with avocado, grilled onions, and tomato on multigrain.
Kid perk: Hip lunch downtown (MTO). Taking the tram (park at Bellagio, tram runs to Crystals Mall, where you’ll find PUB). Finding the food truck location on Twitter (MelTeez).
Parent perk: All of the options are heavy hitters, so you will likely get to share.
Note: If you have a ketchup or marinara fan, the next step is to get him or her to dip the grilled cheese in tomato soup. Nordstrom Café at the Fashion Show Mall has this classic combo on the kids’ menu.
Restaurant: Miko’s Izyaka Sushi (500 E. Windmill Lane)
New tastes: Vegetable sushi rolls (Rabbit Roll, American Caterpillar Roll, Veggie California Roll)
Kid perk: Creative-looking food and no fishy smell
Parent perk: No-frills approach to high-quality sushi
Note: Miko’s is known not only for the wonderful food but also for the long wait. Come early, come late or bring the iPad.
Familiar dish: Messy food
Restaurant: Road Kill Grill (3730 Thom Blvd.)
New taste: BBQ ribs
Kid perk: No manners required
Parent perk: Ask for a tiny sample to help make a decision about what to order
Note: The GPS is telling the truth — it’s located in the middle of a residential area (and it may be a bit of a wait).
Familiar dish: Novelty and kitch
Restaurant: Huntridge Pharmacy Soda Fountain (1144 E. Charleston Blvd.)
New taste: Tuna melt
Kid perk: A blast to sit, order and eat at the counter on a red cushioned barstool
Parent perk: Excuse for you to sip a milkshake or float
Note: Certified kosher (only open until 3 p.m. on Fridays and closed all day Saturday)
Also try: cooking steak on a hot rock at Stack at The Mirage (3400 Las Vegas Blvd) to help bring out the hidden carnivore.
Familiar dish: Hot cocoa
Restaurant: Serenade Coffee Bar & Desserts (7920 S. Rainbow Blvd.)
New taste: Pistachio latte
Kid perk: Creamy, sweet and cute designs sometimes show up in the latte foam
Parent perk: This latte is caffeine-free.
Note: Honey bread or green tea shaved ice are a perfect accompaniment to the latte.