StCirq and Others - Kids in Paris and the Loire
Jul 13th, 2005, 07:43 AM
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StCirq and Others - Kids in Paris and the Loire
I'm delightedly planning our 10-year-old son's first trip to Europe - London/Loire Valley/Paris. We adults have been to all 3, and have huge lists of things to do and see. We're also big foodies, and are looking forward to taking him to a variety of restaurants (casual, formal, bistro, etc.), possibly even a Michelin one-star that I like in Blere.
Do you have any specific suggestions or comments for our restaurant experiences? Our son knows the meals will be leisurely, he's eaten at formal restaurants here at home (and received compliments from other diners on his behavior), and he's quite the adventurous eater. Anything that I should keep in mind re attitudes toward well-behaved kids, items for him to try, favorite restaurants (we're staying in the 6th)? If hubby and I order an entree, but my son doesn't, is it acceptable for me to ask for an extra plate for our son to try some of our entree (of course, we'd all be having a main course as well)? He'll probably dress similarly to my husband, in terms of button-down shirts or a jacket. At the age of 10, will he likely be offered wine? (I don't think he'll drink it, but he'd be tickled at the offer.) Is ganaché (or shandy, in England, right?) legal for 10-year-olds? Stuff like that...
Thanks in advance.
Do you have any specific suggestions or comments for our restaurant experiences? Our son knows the meals will be leisurely, he's eaten at formal restaurants here at home (and received compliments from other diners on his behavior), and he's quite the adventurous eater. Anything that I should keep in mind re attitudes toward well-behaved kids, items for him to try, favorite restaurants (we're staying in the 6th)? If hubby and I order an entree, but my son doesn't, is it acceptable for me to ask for an extra plate for our son to try some of our entree (of course, we'd all be having a main course as well)? He'll probably dress similarly to my husband, in terms of button-down shirts or a jacket. At the age of 10, will he likely be offered wine? (I don't think he'll drink it, but he'd be tickled at the offer.) Is ganaché (or shandy, in England, right?) legal for 10-year-olds? Stuff like that...
Thanks in advance.
Jul 13th, 2005, 08:09 AM
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Hi, Lexma:
If your son is comfortable dining in nice restaurants here at home, I don't think he'll need any major adjustments to do so in London, Paris, and the Loire Valley, except that he may need to sit at the table even longer in France in particular than one normally does even at good restaurants in the USA.
Is it the Cheval Blanc in Bléré that you're considering? It's one of my favorite restaurants in France - and my kids loved it, too!
I don't think asking for an extra plate so your son can try your entrée will be a problem. In my experience, waiters all over France were happy to accommodate all kinds of "special" requests like that. My daughter is a vegetarian and would sometimes ask if the chef could simply prepare her an omelette, even if it wasn't on the menu - no problem. At one restaurant in Paris she routinely ordered a plate of vegetables and a plate of rice, which wasn't on the menu. Sometimes she'd order two appetizers and no main course. None of these caused any costernation, even in very nice restaurants. If the children are mannerly, that's really all that counts.
As for specific restaurants, I can tell you some my children have enjoyed:
L'Epicerie in Amboise
Les Caves de Marson in Saumur
Au Plaisir Gourmand in Chinon
La Salamandre in Angers
La Péniche in Blois
In Paris:
Bofinger
La Fontaine de Mars
Florimond
l'Auberge Bressane (though my last experience there wasn't that great)
Punjab (at Ecole Militaire)
Macéo
plus a host of Asian, Moroccan, and other ethnic places we've tried too numerous to mention.
As for items to try, my kids have between them become addicted to warm goat cheese salads; coq au vin; moules frîtes; boulots with mayonnaise; crudités; escargots; cabécou and other goat cheeses; and of course pastries.
I doubt he'll be offered wine - my kids were about 13-14 when they were first offered it.
I also doubt he'll need a button-down shirt and jacket in all but the finest places.
Have a great trip! We're leaving the first week in August, and my head's already out the door.
If your son is comfortable dining in nice restaurants here at home, I don't think he'll need any major adjustments to do so in London, Paris, and the Loire Valley, except that he may need to sit at the table even longer in France in particular than one normally does even at good restaurants in the USA.
Is it the Cheval Blanc in Bléré that you're considering? It's one of my favorite restaurants in France - and my kids loved it, too!
I don't think asking for an extra plate so your son can try your entrée will be a problem. In my experience, waiters all over France were happy to accommodate all kinds of "special" requests like that. My daughter is a vegetarian and would sometimes ask if the chef could simply prepare her an omelette, even if it wasn't on the menu - no problem. At one restaurant in Paris she routinely ordered a plate of vegetables and a plate of rice, which wasn't on the menu. Sometimes she'd order two appetizers and no main course. None of these caused any costernation, even in very nice restaurants. If the children are mannerly, that's really all that counts.
As for specific restaurants, I can tell you some my children have enjoyed:
L'Epicerie in Amboise
Les Caves de Marson in Saumur
Au Plaisir Gourmand in Chinon
La Salamandre in Angers
La Péniche in Blois
In Paris:
Bofinger
La Fontaine de Mars
Florimond
l'Auberge Bressane (though my last experience there wasn't that great)
Punjab (at Ecole Militaire)
Macéo
plus a host of Asian, Moroccan, and other ethnic places we've tried too numerous to mention.
As for items to try, my kids have between them become addicted to warm goat cheese salads; coq au vin; moules frîtes; boulots with mayonnaise; crudités; escargots; cabécou and other goat cheeses; and of course pastries.
I doubt he'll be offered wine - my kids were about 13-14 when they were first offered it.
I also doubt he'll need a button-down shirt and jacket in all but the finest places.
Have a great trip! We're leaving the first week in August, and my head's already out the door.
Jul 13th, 2005, 10:23 AM
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Off topic, but we took our kids to Paris when they were 13, 11 and 8; they enjoyed it. They had a blast at the playgrounds...going to playgrounds was certainly not on my set "agenda" but I'm glad we went. The one near the Louvre is great for running around after a day of looking at art...it even has trampolines!
Jul 14th, 2005, 03:27 PM
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Thanks for the information; I'm trying to reduce any unpleasant surprises for our trip, and leave only positive surprises!
Yes, I was referring to the Cheval Blanc. My mom and I stayed at their hotel in 1990 (my pre-internet days) and ate at their restaurant, only realizing during the meal what a special place it was; I've been hoping to go back ever since. My son will love the caramel cages over the desserts! The last time I visited the Loire, we had dinner at the Epicerie, so we were planning to return there. We're staying at the Chateau Noizay; are you familiar with that property at all?
I've written down all the names of the restaurants you mentioned; I'm also compiling quite a list of restaurants from eGullet. Are there any creperies in Paris that you would recommend, just in case we decide to take a VERY informal route one night?
I had to resort to Patricia Wells to figure out what "buolots" are - but can you give me an idea as to what they are similar to? My son loves pretty much any seafood, and escargot, but does not care much for moules (unlike his parents). It's also good to hear about omelettes - he likes them, and I told him that many restaurants even have an omelette section on the menu.
If my son orders two appetizers, will the restaurants serve him one along with our main course, or would he get both at once?
I'm also looking forward to the playgrounds in Paris - I remember a small one right near (next to?) Notre Dame, and we'll visit the Tuileries and the puppet show at the Luxembourg Gardens.
Yes, I was referring to the Cheval Blanc. My mom and I stayed at their hotel in 1990 (my pre-internet days) and ate at their restaurant, only realizing during the meal what a special place it was; I've been hoping to go back ever since. My son will love the caramel cages over the desserts! The last time I visited the Loire, we had dinner at the Epicerie, so we were planning to return there. We're staying at the Chateau Noizay; are you familiar with that property at all?
I've written down all the names of the restaurants you mentioned; I'm also compiling quite a list of restaurants from eGullet. Are there any creperies in Paris that you would recommend, just in case we decide to take a VERY informal route one night?
I had to resort to Patricia Wells to figure out what "buolots" are - but can you give me an idea as to what they are similar to? My son loves pretty much any seafood, and escargot, but does not care much for moules (unlike his parents). It's also good to hear about omelettes - he likes them, and I told him that many restaurants even have an omelette section on the menu.
If my son orders two appetizers, will the restaurants serve him one along with our main course, or would he get both at once?
I'm also looking forward to the playgrounds in Paris - I remember a small one right near (next to?) Notre Dame, and we'll visit the Tuileries and the puppet show at the Luxembourg Gardens.
Jul 15th, 2005, 03:30 AM
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Hi L,
>If my son orders two appetizers, will the restaurants serve him one along with our main course, or would he get both at once?<
If you ask the waiter to bring him on with your appetizers and one with your main course, it will come out right.
As for his being offered wine, that is up to you.
Enjoy your visit.
You might want to buy a day ticket on the Batobus in Paris.
www.batobus.com
>If my son orders two appetizers, will the restaurants serve him one along with our main course, or would he get both at once?<
If you ask the waiter to bring him on with your appetizers and one with your main course, it will come out right.
As for his being offered wine, that is up to you.
Enjoy your visit.
You might want to buy a day ticket on the Batobus in Paris.
www.batobus.com
