Parent-Pleasing Meals

Did you hear about the controversy surrounding a couple who took their eight-month-old to an ultra-high-end, Michelin-three-star restaurant in Chicago? I’m all in favor of going out and about with kids—and of taking them places besides just McDonald’s and playgrounds—but I draw the line at things like taking a baby to the movies or a toddler to a super-swanky restaurant. When you go to a restaurant or museum or wherever, there should be opportunity for everyone in your party to enjoy the experience—Mom, Dad, and any little ones in tow. And I know that I enjoy a pricey meal much more when I don’t have to cut anyone else’s food or make sure that no drinks spill.

To be fair to those parents, their babysitter cancelled and the restaurant had a complex, months-in-advance, prepaid and nonrefundable reservation policy. And while their case may be extreme, almost every parent from time to time has taken a kiddo to a restaurant that may have been less than thrilled to have them, in search of a meal that didn’t come out of a deep fryer or that wasn’t available at every suburban mall in America.

With that in mind, here are some Sarasota County restaurants where little guys and gals are welcome and Mom and Dad can have a grown-up meal that goes beyond simple sustenance. And as long as the kiddos aren’t complete terrors, no one should take to Twitter about your presence.

Caragiulos has been an institution in downtown Sarasota since 1989. Kids can keep busy by making their own personal-sized pizzas; adults can sip a glass of wine while enjoying a specialty pie or one of the restaurant’s many pasta dishes.  

Owned by the same folks behind Caragiulos, Owen’s Fish Camp occupies a historic Sarasota cottage tucked under a banyan tree and oozing with down-home charm. Its Southern-tinged menu serves up simple but satisfying seafood dishes, and the atmosphere is anything but stuffy.

 

Gold Rush BBQ in Venice is ultra-casual and perpetually bustling. Tasty barbecued chicken, pork, and beef are served up quickly in a variety of forms and combinations and in portions big enough to handle even the most adult-sized appetite.

Don’t let the white tablecloths and wineglasses scare you away: The staff at Columbia on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota has no problem adding a high chair to the table. There’s tapas and sangria mixed tableside for Mom and Dad and a reasonably priced kids’ menu for the little ones.

Three area locations of Mi Pueblo serve up tart margaritas and spicy Mexican fare and sometimes offer kid-friendly entertainment like magicians, face painters, and balloon artists. Visit on a night when the mariachi band is in the house and no one will notice if Junior throws a tantrum.

 

The Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota is surprisingly welcoming of kids. The menu’s not cheap, but the tropical, get-away-from-it-all vibe provides a relaxing setting for a family meal.

Smack dab on Venice Beach, Sharky’s on the Pier draws locals and visitors for tropical drinks and seafood served surfside. Kids’ meals come with ice cream, and the shark-centric decor and giant fish tank offer plenty for young diners to look at if the water views don’t hold their attention.

Take in the action of downtown Sarasota from an outdoor table at Mattison’s City Grille. Dine on award-winning chef Paul Mattison’s casual yet sophisticated fare (including a kids’ side salad you’ll want to dig into yourself), then browse Main Street’s shops or stroll to Bay Front Park.

 

Venice newcomer Darrell’s Restaurant features a menu full of Southern favorites like fried chicken and pulled pork. Sit outside so the kids can stretch their legs in the adjoining courtyard while you polish off your plate, and make sure to end the meal with a generously sized Mason jar filled with “dirt” (aka chocolate pudding and crushed Oreos).