Reader Questions: Picky Eating on a Trip to Paris with Kids
Gudrun, an engineer at kango.com wrote in to ask about dining out in Paris with kids:
You have a nice list of restaurants in Paris, including a couple non-chain, classic French restaurants. I would love to take my kids to a French bistro, but I worry a little about the menu. My kids can be pretty good eaters, but sometimes, when they are tired or traveling, it is just too much. I wonder if you have suggestions about items that might not be on the menu that kids might like. For example, when I go to a fish restaurant, I can usually get plain pasta or pasta with red sauce for the kids, if they are not in a fish mood. Is there a similar sort of item in French bistros?
Thank you again for the response, I appreciate your advice!
Gudrun,
I have one very Picky eater (E) and one child who hasn't quite figured out that she can refuse her food. I take a four pronged approach to eating when we travel.
Educate
Before you leave, pick a few new dishes you think your kids
Before we took our trip to Barcelona, Madrid, and Sevilla I made a big production out of Paella, which went on to become a regular standby on the trip. For France, here are some ideas to choose from: onion soup, croque-monsieur (hot ham and cheese), Croque-madame (hot ham and cheese w/egg), and of course crepes. If your kids don't already know about the joys of gourmet cheese, this is also a good time to get them started as there is a cheese plate available almost everywhere.
Find some commonly available favorites
Pick some child friendly dishes to make your mainstays when you're dining out. Don't be afraid to ask for a combination you don't see on the menu (or to break the rules and get a couple of starters and sides if that's what the kids will eat). If you ask politely, most restaurants are happy to help. Some choices you're likely to see almost everywhere are:
- Steak frites (steak tends to be served rarer in France, so ask for it well done)
- Hamburgers often appear on bistro menus
- Grilled chicken
- Sausages & sauerkraut at Brasserie style restaurants
- Cassoulet (calling this delicious dish "beans with meat" is the understatement of the century…). My kids always seem to like bean dishes, so this is a good choice for us.
- Quiche (this is also a good choice for early eaters)
Here are some kid friendly items that might show up as sides:
- Haricots Verts (Green Beans). There is something special about French green beans.
- Sautéed vegetables
- Lentils often show up as a side, and make a nice protein source for picky eaters. The French serve extra delicious green lentils called Flageolet.
- Rice
- Potatoes
Have a Backup Plan
Hit a crepe stand on the way home or keep some leftovers or fresh fruit, cheese and yogurt in the refrigerator back at the hotel. I always travel with a jar of peanut butter wrapped in a Ziplock bag.
Try Takeaway
Takeaway in Paris has been elevated to an art form, with Charcuteries specializing in restaurant quality meals to heat up at home. This can be a great way for you to eat grown up meal while the kids graze on something they're more comfortable with. In Rome and many other European cities, restaurants are often set up to deliver meals to business workers during the day and we had good luck with getting delicious takeaway food for the hotel once we made it clear what we wanted.
If you really want to get into the French food scene, I highly recommend the Food Lover's Guide to Paris by Patricia Wells. The book has so many fantastic options in this book (from bakeries, to charcuteries to tea houses) that you might not mind passing on Robuchon this trip.
One final note, restaurant behavior for kids is stricter in Paris than here in the states, and kids don't dine out as often. Teaching your kids to greet everyone as they walk in will go a long way towards ensuring you good service. Be sure to bring along some quite toys (or maybe a journal to write or draw in) to keep them occupied and quiet during your meal, and when you can dine outdoors where they'll be able to watch the city pass by.
Do you have a question about traveling with kids? Send me email: debbie at deliciousbaby dot com
Related Links:Paris With Kids City Guide
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on a Family Vacation
Introducing Paella to a Picky Toddler
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Posted on February 15, 2008 |
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