Satellite Room: Where I discovered that tater tots are out of this world

I have a feeling that when the 9:30 Club's after-party bar, the Satellite Room, launched 11 am brunch, it was not expecting one of its first customers to come through the door riding a tricycle.

I, on the other side, was not expecting my Saturday morning tricycle ride to lead me to a dimly lit bar. But the vintage arcade games, 1960s paintings, and chill vibe reminded my parents of old stomping grounds in San Diego and Santa Barbara. So we stayed.

Needless, we - the bar and I - came to a mutual agreement to work with each other.

I parked my tricycle up front by the pinball machine, headed for a booth and ordered off the adult menu - grilled cheese with tater tots - only $7. That was the price for adults too.

While we waited for food, I went back and forth between banging buttons of the arcade games to dancing around the outdoor patio. Watching my dad play pinball, while he sampled their Vienna Lager, was definitely a highlight. Given the light crowd, my roaming went unnoticed - always a relief to my parents.

Then the food arrived. Having never had tater tots before, I was pretty stoked to discover what my parents had been keeping secret. My fascination with the fried balls a very little nutritiousness lasted just long enough for my mom to finish off a plate of fish tacos (which were just like the ones she'd had at similar bars in San Diego.) Dad enjoyed the other half of the grilled cheese and his beer.

At two feet, six inches, I could sit with my head just above the table and eat off a smaller plate the waiter brought. Mom made it through two and a half fish tacos (out of 3) before I decided that crawling over her and putting my feet up on the table was more fun. At which point Dad whisked me away to check out the tour bus pulled up out front.

I didn't make it to the bathroom to check out the changing-table-scene, yet given the look of shock on the hostess' face when we asked for a high chair, I have a pretty good idea what it was like.

Anyway, for a bar that had no plans (or probably interest) in attending to tricycle-riding clientele, I thought they did a rather swell job - unknowingly stocking the place with bright and flashy video games, tater tots and a staff who seemed to welcome whatever and whoever walked through the door. Hopefully my next tricycle ride brings be back.

The Many Faces of Cheesy Grits: More on Busboys and Poets

Fourteenth Street's Busboys and Poets continue to be a go-to destination to get out of the Polar Vortex. Mom and Dad cling to the fact they can for a fleeting moment sip cappuccinos amongst DC hipsters, and I can bang the spoon pretty loudly before anyone notices. As my appetite increases, so does our brunch tab. To minimize budget-busting, I usually bring something from home (e.g. clementines, cheese stick) and then Mom orders a side of fruit and Dad a side of the cheesy grits. The Oaxaca omelette, french toast, scrambled eggs and tempeh sausage continue to be a parent favorite. And when the grits arrive, I go all in and can't think of any other way to express my delight:

Read more about Busboys and Poets.

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

Clyde's in Chinatown is Kid-Ready

You are off to a good start when you sit down to a packet of crayons and a coloring book. I also try to win over my waitress with a high-five and fist bump to send the message that no matter what the floor looks like post-meal, let's try to be friends until then. 

We went to Clyde's today before my first Georgetown Basketball Game, where I must proudly say, I made it until the final buzzer. For any of you uncertain parents or babies out, between the band, the music and the cheerleaders, you should go to a game. Basketball games might be the only thing more stimulating than the Baby Einstein Musical Motion Exersaucer! 

There was a kid's menu, but at $8 an entree, I was forced to share. I munched on pieces of the tasty croissant egg sandwich and breakfast burrito. I also brought some clementines and veggie sticks of my own. We had a booth so as the meal ended along with my attention-span, I was able to jungle gym over my very forgiving friends rather than beeline it for the door.  

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

Matchbox

Nothing overly spectacular about the cuisine at 14th Street's Matchbox, but sometimes families traveling with little critters care more about predictability and high-ceilings than artesenal gastronomy. And that is exactly what Matchbox has to offer. Staff is laudably professional, not batting an eye at the sight of disheveled and snotty-nosed me.

Important note: the Chinatown and 14th Street Matchboxes offer raw pizza dough for kids to play with at the table, so remember to ask for it. 

Word on the playground is they will even bake your pizza dough sculpture in the oven for you. However, while I won't eat the 15 other things Mom brought for me, I gladly tried to eat lots of pizza dough! This latest Matchbox luncheon in which I managed to bite off large portions of dough encouraged my parents to do a little research. Pizza dough: totally fine. 

Crayons at Capurro's - San Francisco

Capurro's in San Francisco really seemed to have it all - high chairs, kids' menu and crayons. This made for a very "busy" lunch for me and very content parents who ate a two course meal with few disruptions. 

The hostess sat us quickly, bringing over all the baby essentials and menus. Two plates of fresh Budin sourdough awaited us, and I promptly got right to business. First order, methodically taking each crayon out of the box. Then, putting each crayon back in the box. I then dabbled with some coloring (although still a bit out of my fine-motor-skill-league). Turn the children's menu over, and a ship for coloring is on the back. I then helped myself to the already emptied oyster shells for some table drum circle before Mom botched that idea. 

Dad ordered the full Dungeness crab meal which arrived with a generous serving of fusilli in marinara sauce as a first course. I welcomed his offer to share half with me and then completed my lunch with the sourdough and oyster crackers plus a string cheese and grapes that Grandma had packed me. (I have a feeling my dinner will look very green.)

My mom and uncle took advantage of the $12.95 lunch specials which included, among other selections a chowder bread bowl with Caesar salad and fish tacos. 

Reflecting on my first trip to Fisherman's Wharf, I would definitely avoid the congestion and touristy spots of the main strip, walk down a bit more and satisfy seafood cravings while keeping baby entertained at Capurro's