Eating in

Sometimes, the best way to eat out with a baby, is to first have the baby eat in. 

Here's me filling up on one of my favorite "first foods" - toast fingers topped with vegetable puree. Ever since Mom introduced toast fingers, I really began experimenting with solids of all shapes and textures and learned to feed myself.

Baby-friendly party venue needed? Try Eatonville.

I've been to Eatonville on 14th and V Street, NW, for many occasions - happy hour, brunch and dinner. It's accommodating, and the classic southern fare always delicious. But what really sets this place apart is its infrastructure for large parties.

After my parents nearly divorced deciding where to throw my baptism party (I know, #firstworldproblems), Mom disliked Dad's promises to stake a patch of grass at Meridian Hill Park and unilaterally decided to book Eatonville.

Good thing she did since it rained that day.

The event planners she worked with are the same as Busboy and Poets' - professional, organized and willing to work with any budget.

We were able to throw a buffet lunch for 40 people, offer open bar and not sacrifice my college savings. Family and friends enjoyed Eatonville's signature shrimp and grits and country ham sandwiches on their hoop buttermilk biscuits. Vegetarians even had options with the mushroom and goat cheese spring rolls. And like every soul-inspired Eatonville meal, I highly recommend topping it off with Red Velvet cupcakes.

I was baptized when I was six months, and truth be told, I was only eating the fruit salad at the time. When I go now, as a one year old, I usually can finish my own entree. Not the healthiest of meals, but my favorites include their scrambled eggs and Grilled French Pork Chop with sweet potato mash.

Mom and Dad opt for the Southern Fried Chicken and BLGT (that stands for bacon, lettuce and green tomatoes) and usually start off with a salad - either the Apple Wood Smoked Tofu Salad or the Spinach and Roasted Cauliflower Salad - and a Bloody Mary.

Learn ABOUT ME and check out some of my BEST PRACTICES for eating out.

Taylor's and U Street picnics

Picnics are another great way parents can feel like part of civilization, baby can get some fresh air and the family can spend quality time together. Today we packed the breast milk cooler with Miller Lites (as in only Miller Lites) and went to Taylor's Gourmet on 14th and T, NW, for foot long subs before we hoofed it up 15th Street to Meridian Park.

Mom got the Delaney sandwich with roastbeef but said it was a little light on the Gorgonzola and red peppers, and Dad ordered the Roosevelt, aka chicken parmesean, and loved it. It seemed like straightforward hearty sandwiches for two hungry adults at a slightly higher than normal price ($10.45 each). Admittedly, with a little moderation, you could have the other half for dinner.

I gnawed on some pieces of fresh crusty bread (probably the best part of Taylor's) that they each broke off and fed me. Like many Sunday's at Meridian, I was within ear shot of a guitar group gathering to practice Simon and Garfunkel songs, and otherwise had no trouble sitting still while Mom and Dad lunched.

I think they would repeat the picnic again but probably elect for Fast Gourmet sandwiches - a consistent parent favorite - although I usually need to eat something else since it is a bit greasy for babe. 

After the picnic we walked up the park for the Meridian Hill drum circle where I had fun jamming (on my mom's shoulders). Even though I wanted to eat more when we got home, the picnic and drum circle are fun solutions for a Sunday afternoon in the U Street, Adams Morgan or Columbia Heights neighborhoods.

Learn ABOUT ME and check out some of my BEST PRACTICES for eating out.