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We know that you can have kids and still be a hip chick and this section is just for you. Look out for holiday news, child friendly books, films and lots of ideas on how to keep your little ones happy.
| Eating Out |
 Eating out with kids can be stressful. They see food as fuel, something to pack in between play, while you're looking forward to a long leisurely meal with some good wine and lots of time to let your meal "go down". Sadly, it's rare that everyone is satisfied - child and adult alike. But there are places out there that do make the grade for everyone in the family, and we hope to cover them here. Our ratings * Don't bother unless you've nowhere else to go. ** Worth a visit for novelty value. *** Good and competent. **** Very enjoyable. ***** Exceptional. Planet Hollywood **** Planet Hollywood has had an extensive and expensive refurbish and yes, it was in need of one. It was one of the first big budget theme restaurants to open and – I must admit – I once was a regular. Not having been for at least six years, I was keen to see how the place had changed. And changed it has. The whole place is a lot more airy, brighter and lighter than it used to be. And the food has also undergone a revamp. There is now a Marco Pierre White section of the menu and, as should be expected for a chef of his stature, the food is very, very good. Okay, we all know he's not standing in the kitchen but apparently he brings his kids here on a regular basis and his involvement has given the menu a big kick-start. The big plus about Planet Hollywood is that it caters for both adults and children. The kids love the atmosphere and surroundings (there's more than enough to keep them occupied) and the adults love the excellent food (from burgers to cajun cooked steaks to Moroccan Lamb dishes) and first class service. Planet Hollywood , Trocadero, 13 Coventry Street , London , W1. Tel: 020 7287 1000. The Rainforest Café ** My three-year-old daughter shifted uneasily in her chair. "It’s a bit scary Mummy" she whispered. In contrast her five-year-old brother was almost jumping out of his seat with delight. "Wow! This is cool" was all you could hear above the rumble of a tropical rainforest storm that thundered on above us. The robotic gorillas next to our table roared and whooped their way through our lunch. Yes, we had succumbed to the lure of the jungle in the form of The Rainforest Café. The entertainment value of the décor is unfaultable. Rain showers, cascading waterfalls, gorillas, elephants, a leopard, splashing crocodile, tropical fish and fluttering butterflies, all combine to produce that rainforest atmosphere. The food, however, isn't quite up to its home. We ordered wiki-wiki wings (Buffalo wings in a spicy sauce) for our starter but the sauce just tasted odd. We couldn't quite say why, although we both agreed that it was way on the salty side. A ploy to sell more drinks perhaps? The kids' meals were perfectly acceptable. Burgers and chips, there was little that could go wrong with them and the portions were great. My main courses of lamb la Bamba (two succulent chargrilled 6oz steaks finished with a peach bourbon sauce served with sweet potato cake) were, well, shall we say, rather..er..chewy, although the mashed sweet potato which accompanied was delicious. Overall, it is a wonderful treat for the children, and a spectacle for the adults, and worth one visit with that in mind. The Rainforest Cafe, 20 Shaftesbury Avenue , Piccadilly Circus , London , W1D 7EU . Tel: 020 74343 3111 Back to more articles |
| Posted: 01/04/2005 20:36:00 Last Updated: 25/04/2005 19:59:11 |
Chick Lit > Chick Lit Kids :: Eating Out