Eating out with my 2 year old is one of the most stressful situations for me as a parent. He has been known to throw cutlery across a restaurant, shout and scream, not sit still and generally be very hard work. It can be hard to find a place ideal for him when we're out at lunch times; the thought of him having a tantrum because he's hungry and fed up of waiting for his food makes me shy away from places I would eat at without him. And then there's the battle between good, nutritional food and convenience. I would often find myself heading for certain fast food restaurants simply for the ease and speed of service, but of course I don't want to be feeding my toddler fast food every time we're out...
I decided to start a new series on my blog, visiting different restaurants and reviewing how Toddler Friendly they are.
Last week, we headed for Bodega Cantina, a South American restaurant in the heart of Leicester City Centre. I first visited Bodega on their soft launch night and fell in love with their quirky decor and amazing quesadillas!
We were greeted by manager Benji who was super friendly towards Taylor, he got down on his level to speak to him and even welcomed him by signing hello Mr Tumble style.
We were able to choose our own table, with it being a nice quiet lunch time. I aptly chose a nice table with comfortable seats, in a corner so he couldn't escape, haha (believe me, this was a good move!)
Entertainment
Keeping Taylor amused is very difficult, he's not a child that will sit still for very long. So this is something that is so important to me when eating out; does the restaurant offer anything to keep young children amused while waiting for their food?
Taylor was given a 'Nino's Menu' which included puzzles aimed at older children but younger children could also mark make as they wished, along with a super cool colouring sheet of a mask and colouring pencils.
Whilst we were waiting for our food, manager Benji came over and demonstrated his balloon modelling skills, making Taylor a pirate sword! And a little later a dog, after he managed to pop the sword! Such a lovely touch, he loved it!
Menu
Many kids menus are quite standard. I'm looking for variety and nutritional options...
At Bodega, there are 4 options to choose from inc. pizzadilla and homemade meatballs -yum! and all come with juice and a healthy snack pot. We chose chicken and cheese tortillas with sweet potato fries. He loved it and I was very happy he was eating good, fresh, nutritional food. The snack pot was a great idea for him to snack on whilst waiting for his food. I had quesadillas which are pretty much the same thing. SO tasty!
For dessert we chose vanilla ice cream with toffee sauce, which he enjoyed pinching Mummy's tasty churros to dip in to!
Overall, we had a lovely lunch time at Bodega. I was very happy with the food options for Taylor, how quickly we received the food and how attentive the staff were. Taylor did get a little silly at times, jumping on the seats, shouting, etc, but it wasn't too stressful as we didn't have to wait long before something was bought over to keep him amused.
I most definitely would recommend Bodega as a Toddler Friendly Place to Eat, and will be happy to visit them with my little whirlwind again very soon.
Do you struggle to eat out with your toddler?
Any tips?
Many thanks to Benji and all at Bodega Cantina, Leicester.
We received complimentary meals in return for a full review.
As always, all words, opinions and amazing wit are my own.
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Ooh we have a Bodega opening in Derby soon & those Churros look delicious. I'll definitely be ordering some of those!
ReplyDeleteMonet // monetsmemoirs.com
Ooh definitely visit! :)
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ReplyDeleteThis place looks fantastic. Eating out with little ones is so hard! It causes my husband and lot of stress š
ReplyDeleteI have every sympathy for anyone with whirlwind children like mine! :)
DeleteI never thought about how stressful dining out with children could be, but I'm glad you found an awesome option at Bodega! I've never been to one before but it looks like a good time.
ReplyDeleteWe do love it there :)
DeleteThat's so good to try find out how toddler friendly certain places are as I'm sure it's not easy when eating out with children when they might want to be a little difficult.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping it's going to be a very helpful series!
DeleteThis is a really useful post and such a nice idea x
ReplyDeleteIt certainly sounds like Bodega Cantina does a very good job of catering to customers with small children. Having activities to keep the children occupied whilst waiting for their food and even giving them special balloons is fantastic. It also sounds like you were happy with their children's menu.
ReplyDeleteI was, it was an almost stress free experience, which is a good day out in my experience :)
DeleteIt so hard to find good places that cater for children's needs, I really like the look of this place and im so glad to see that they have activities on offer for entertain the smalls :) x
ReplyDeleteWas very happy with it :)
DeleteIt is always lovely to find somewhere child friendly to eat, as it makes it such a nicer experience when eating out x
ReplyDeleteSo much nicer :)
DeleteThat looks brilliant for toddlers. I always get jealous when I see a kid with a colouring and I want to do it!
ReplyDeleteHaha you'll have to ask next time youre out! :)
DeleteOh it looks like such an amazing place to eat - I really love churros too!
ReplyDeleteSuper yummy arent they?
DeleteThis sounds lovely and hope you get to go with him more often! It shows the difference the small things like entertainment make x
ReplyDeleteIt makes a huge difference!
DeleteThis sounds a lovely place to go with your toddler (and for adults too!) The manager sounds great and the food good as well!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great place! :)
DeleteThis looks like a good restaurant. It's great to see places that cater well for kids too x
ReplyDeleteIt's so important :)
DeleteBodega sounds like a wonderful place to go to with your family in tow, I love the sound of the sweet potato fries. It is great that the staff are so attentive.
ReplyDeleteWe're looking forward to going back :)
DeleteI haven't seen this restaurant near me but I'd definitely recommend it to my friends with kids if it was because I think it really is so kid friendly! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt really is! :)
DeleteThat's so nice that the staff made an effort with your little one as opposed to just ignoring him like some people do x
ReplyDeleteIt made it so much easier :)
DeleteWhat a fab restaurant and it's great it's so child friendly! x
ReplyDeleteWe love it there :)
DeleteOh, its nice to know that we have these restaurant. This is perfect for parents who are having a hard time on eating to restaurants with their kids.
ReplyDeleteYes, it makes all the difference :)
DeleteThis sounds like a fab places to eat out with kids. My little ones get board waiting for their food to arrive, so this would be perfect for them
ReplyDeleteIt's hard isnt it?
DeleteI don't have to worry about child friendly places but I do like eating in Bodega. The food is great
ReplyDeleteIt's a great place :)
DeleteI don't have these worries but I do like to see child friendly eateries so well done Bodega x
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteSounds like a great restaurant I don't think we have one near here unfortunately but we do have a lot of child friendly eateries x
ReplyDeleteAh that's good! :)
DeleteThat food looks amazing! It's always hard when eating out with a toddler but this place looks really good. #TuesdayTreasures
ReplyDeleteI really recommend it :)
DeleteLooks a great place to bring my kids, I would love to go there I bet they will enjoy
ReplyDeleteOoh let me know if you do :)
DeleteWhat a great feature idea! I have a toddler and it is so hard deciding where to take him. Botega sounds great.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great choice :)
DeleteI don't have a child myself, but I think it's so cool when restaurants cater to the little ones as well! You can't lose with Mexican food :)
ReplyDeleteXo,
Megan at Lush to Blush
It's yummy :)
DeleteThis is a great idea for a series! It is hard to know where to eat with little ones. Love how there was balloon modelling whilst you waited! x
ReplyDeleteGreat touch :)
DeleteThis looks like a great place to bring children! Also the food looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteSuper yummy :)
DeleteThanks for sharing. I'm sure it will help so many parents at the same time allow kids to enjoy as well--everyone wins! Also, those churros look good
ReplyDeleteKatrinaJeanCarter.wordpress.com
They were delicious
DeleteThe kids menu looks great! Love the entertainment factor! Thankfully I'm relatively good in restaurants x
ReplyDeleteYour mummy is lucky :)
DeleteWow it looks great there I must try taking little man and seeing what he thinks.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you do :)
DeleteI used ot live in Leicester and love Bodega! Sounds like you had a great time x
ReplyDeleteIt's a fab place isnt it?
DeleteLooks like a child friendly place. My kids always need entertainment.
ReplyDeleteMine too :)
DeleteThis sounds like such a great place for toddlers to eat! I'm quite lucky with Oscar as he sees his big sister behaving when we're out for dinner and follows her lead. I wish he'd do the same at home though - one mouthful of food and he becomes a monster! LOL
ReplyDeleteLouise x
Oh hat's lucky. I wish mine did the same!
DeleteMine would have been sold with the Churros. Finding somewhere child friendly can be a nightmare
ReplyDeleteDefinitely :)
DeleteIt's so hard to find a good child friendly restaurant, it looks like you had fun and some delicious food. Thanks for linking up with #TuesdayTreasures
ReplyDeleteIt can be difficult!
DeleteIt can be so hard to eat out with kids glad it was a success!
ReplyDelete