With the emergence of gastro-kid books such as My Two-Year-Old Eats Octopus and with chefs working hard to bring children into the farm-to-table fold, it’s clear that our grownup fascination with food has trickled down to our tykes.
For the elementary-school set already sporting chef’s pants, Destination D.C. brings us the second annual Restaurant Week for Kids. From Sunday, June 20, through Sunday, June 27, more than 20 area restaurants are offering special fixed-price children’s menus during lunch and from 5 to 6:30. Kids 11 and younger pay their age with the purchase of an adult entrée. Places taking part include Taberna del Alabardero—which is also offering a tour of the kitchen—as well as Acadiana, Georgia Brown’s, Zola, Kellari, and Jaleo. Some chefs will visit third-grade classrooms for cooking demos and tastings.
Barbara and Jeff Black, chef/owners of three Montgomery County restaurants, are eager to implement the specials at their fish-centric Palisades restaurant, BlackSalt. The Blacks have two sons, Oliver, age 10, and Simon, 11. Jeff says one is an adventurous eater and one isn’t, so they’ve learned to cater to both. “There are children that like to try different things, contrary to what some chefs believe,” he says. “Prime example: Simon is very close friends with Marcel Wiedmaier [son of area chef Robert Wiedmaier]. Marcel comes over and will clean me out of green vegetables, but it’s impossible to get Oliver to eat green vegetables.”
Your child doesn’t need to be an octopus-loving foodie to enjoy these meals. BlackSalt is serving grilled chicken tenders, fried shrimp, house-made potato chips, and bowls of fruit. “You’ve just got to have a variety, that’s all,” Black says.
For more information and the full list of participating restaurants, click here.
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