Your no-fail family dining option

A fair number of parents tell me that Element Fresh is their choice for dining with their little ones, because of their kid-friendly selection of food.

www.beijing-kids.com/directory/Element-Fresh

For expensive lazy sundays - Sofitel, their playroom is really good with a bouncy castle and games for kids of all ranges, on the food side of things the quality is great and for drinks the fresh juices and amazing cocktails are included. We can actually relax there while the kids play.... such an (expensive) treat!

For lazy Saturdays - Zenses at the Westin is great because of the playroom ayi who really looks after the kids

Any weekend - Xiao Wang Fu in Ritan Park, with careful ordering it is not too expensive. Cheapest family friendly drink is the chrysanthemum tea with no caffeine and no sugar. Their fresh juices and even water are very expensive.

For weekday after kindergarten early family meals - Veg-On in Solana, we go around 5:30 when it is fresh, they only charge half price for the kids, so for about 58 RMB I feed me and both kids with lots of tofu!

For random meals, Element Fresh in Lido, because it is healthy and easy for the kids, not room to play, but great for post visits to BJU or other randomness.

Random in Shunyi - Blue Frog, I am actually not keen on the adult menu, but the sweet potato fries for the kids and the fresh vegetables with dips is great and they have a good playroom with chalk board and drawing.

Great in Shunyi - Mrs Shannnen's healthy pizzas are the best in Beijing according to everyone in my family, pricey but stress free eating and super delicious! Fun playroom too. Only problem is it is always hot in summer and cold in winter.

Nice Sunday meal with friends - The Orchard, good healthy food in the playroom, and nice for walks around the lake - but must book in advance

For Pizza in town, we like Elisa's really good wood fire pizza, and pizza is always a safe fall back!

We used to go to that great Italian place, The Meeting Point/Place when it was in The Place, but since it moved to near your office we haven't been yet... a bit far for us.

crj wrote:Any weekend - Xiao Wang Fu in Ritan Park, with careful ordering it is not too expensive. Cheapest family friendly drink is the chrysanthemum tea with no caffeine and no sugar. Their fresh juices and even water are very expensive.

I like the environment but the food last time we went was really off. And for the price ... was disappointed.

crj wrote:We used to go to that great Italian place, The Meeting Point/Place when it was in The Place, but since it moved to near your office we haven't been yet... a bit far for us.

Still going strong at the Langent Centre in Shuangjing ... it's still good food ... though it seems business in that plaza is not so great for the non-chinese restaurants.

Annie's always has been a good option for our 4 yr old and also Peter's Tex Mex in Lido because of their fairly large play area. Most buffets are usually a good option as she always has plenty to choose from to eat especially if it has a dessert bar. Other no fail options are anywhere that has some type of live entertainment keeps her interest. The Thai restaurant in Solana has an energetic Philippine group that go from table to table and that is always fun.
Lastly, she always likes the rotary sushi in the Place as she can pick her food plus play in the mall at the same time,

Hard to beat the delivery service from Annie's. But usually the treat at Annie's is making her own mini-pizza and their play area. Having said that, our most widely used Annie's at Chaoyang Park West took out the play area to fit it another table.

For dimsum in Wangjing, we like Tan Gong (aka Hong Kong Tang Palace Food & Beverage Group). Most items are half off before 10:30AM and after 2:00PM. Best to call ahead and make a reservation on weekends as sometimes the main room is used for wedding banquets. Busy place, with no kids room, but kids can run in the mall and there is a play area and huge selection of kids toys for sale in the basement (something akin to Toys R Us).

As you all know, Peter's is a favorite with Reina and, in Lido, there is a little playground out back in the Hairun complex.

It's hard to beat the Orchard for quality and ambiance. The gardens and orchard are lovely to stroll in (older kids can go it alone) and they have a large play room with a kid's brunch buffet in it on Sundays (and a big buffet in the main room for the adults). With some great shopping in the Orchard store and the village to wander in next door, it's easy to spend an entire morning or afternoon out there.