El Rey: The king of family-friendly dining

El Rey Taqueria and Mexican Beer Garden, tucked in between 9th and 10th Street, NW, on U Street, offers almost everything my family needs to dine out - clean, wide spaces; affordable, kid-friendly food; an outdoor garden to muffle many a sound and a fun selection of Mexican draft beer and TVs for parents looking to feel like anything but.

While it took us several failed attempts to figure out when they actually opened for weekend brunch (my parents swear Google told them otherwise!!), we were psyched when the doors finally swung open.

I arrived on my scooter and loved the wide aisles in the port container-turned outdoor garden. In said back garden, tables were low to the ground, allowing strollers to roll up to the table's edge and Mom to nurse baby bro on a steady chair.  TVs hung from the patio walls, so Dad could watch hockey.

The waitress was as speedy getting me a straw for my water as she was returning to the table with Negra Modelo drafts. Bottomless mimosas and micheladas are available for $20, but I strongly recommend a babysitter if that is your style.

The brunch menu mainly includes breakfast burritos and tamales. While we definitely walked in craving tacos, we were pleasantly surprised by all the ways you can wrap up scrambled eggs in a tortilla. 

We started with the fresh and flavorful chips, guacamole, queso and molcajete salsa ($10).  It was more than the three of us could finish.

Then came my carne asada breakfast burrito, which I split with Dad. Mom ordered the al pastor burrito with pickled onions, which was too spicy for me, but made her happy.  The chile de arbol salsa is a must.

I ended up eating all the scrambled eggs out of the burrito plus a lot of chips. Mom could justify all the guacamole I consumed as my "vegetable for the day." Plus at $8 each burrito, brunch was affordable enough I could overlook the fact they didn't have a "kids' menu" (although a kid-sized $4 one wouldn't hurt).

El Rey was also super clean, especially the bathrooms. Unfortunately, there are no changing tables in the funky subway-tiled wash closets nor much space if a diaper change is in order. 

Servers were attentive and patient and graciously looked the other way when I jumped up on the back booth and started running. Given the look Mom shot me when I did, I recommend staying seated.

If you judge a place by how many times my parents guiltily let me watch "Let It Go"  on YouTube so I sit still for the 4 minutes, 3 seconds of entertainment it provides, this place scores the highest. Their phones didn't even come out.

Thanks to real Mexican food and the outdoor baby-friendly garden layout, El Rey is now king of spring and summer family-friendly brunch. 

Top five Mother's Day Brunch Spots in Washington, DC

For mama's, especially new ones, going out for Mother's Day sounds like more of a hassle than it is worth. But it doesn't have to be! Take advantage of your now eager-to-please husband who had forgotten tomorrow was even a holiday and make a reservation! Try one of these top picks, if you can:

1. Le Diplomate -If you expected a trip to Paris for Mother's Day, this is a close second.
2. District Commons - great kids' menu, plus if it rains, you are already inside
3. Eatonville - for southern fare in a funky, sun-filled dining room
4. Busboys and Poets - nothing says, "I love you, Mom," like sustainable, American-style breakfast options
5. Rasika West End - word on the street is they have a new brunch (thanks, Tom Sietsema!)

A well-kept secret: Early brunch at Le Diplomate

Brunch in Washington, DC, typically starts at 11:00 am. By that time, I've usually been up hours and likely eaten three meals. Also by that time, all the hungover hipsters have had time to wake up, brush something if we are lucky, and crowd up most of the decent brunch spots.

Unbeknownst to many, around 9:15 am, a line forms outside Logan Circle's Le Diplomate. You can spot the strollers and Ergos blocks away. That's because their brunch starts at 9:30 am.

Le Diplomate, on the corner of 14th and Q Street, NW, was actually the inspiration for this blog, and I've updated this post several times as we uncover new reasons why we love it. The experience is so consistently enjoyable not only do I want all babies and their parents to know about it, I also want more restaurants to know about it too.

Le Diplomate's service is well-choreographed and always reliable. And for a fleeting moment, parents might actually feel like they are leisurely dining in a Parisian cafe.

At the nexus of Le Diplomate's many baby-friendly elements is its bread.

By far the freshest and crunchiest, the bread is baked in-house, free and always swiftly brought to the table. As an infant, I occupied myself gnawing on crusts, plus the basket is fun and safe to play with too. As a toddler, I'm happy to eat it and keep (mostly) quiet while waiting for my meal.

The place is equipped with more than enough high chairs (ask for the sturdy American ones - not the tippy French ones if you are a wigggler and/or weigh more than a stuffed animal). And friendly staff do not shudder at the sight of a slobbery baby, a disheveled mom or even a boobie.

While Le Diplomate lacks a kids' menu, it makes up for it in outdoor seating, changing tables and some baby-friendly entrees.  The Grueyere and Fine Herbes omlette can be sliced into fingers for easy, independent maneuvering. The poached eggs Basque has a simple polenta you could scoop on a plate for me. And you can never go wrong with the oatmeal.

My brunch and dinner companions have indulged in the espresso bar, pastry basket, salmon tartine, Belgium brews, sea scallops, trout and open faced sandwiches.

The bread is so good (and time-consuming to eat), my parents can often end the meal with a coffee or dessert. A real luxury when dining with baby.

4.5 stars (on its way to 5 as soon as Le Diplomate adds in a kids' menu)

Learn ABOUT ME and check out some of my DOS AND DONTS for eating out.

About me - the DC Baby Gastronomist

This is me. The DC Baby Gastronomist. Currently a smiley, mischievous, blonde haired, blue eyed ball of energy. I recently became a big brother, so while my palate broadens, I am still looking out for stroller-accessible, nursing-friendly establishments. I live near downtown Washington, DC.
Ever since I was born, my mom and dad have been adamant that my arrival not limit their love of food. Things have certainly changed, but to feel like functioning members of society, they take me out. A lot. I wasn't home from the hospital 48 hours before they schlepped me to American Ice Company for nachos and IPAs. Over the last few years, I have kept track of my gastronomic adventures with them - including some key takeaways of successful eating with me in tow.

Check out DOS AND DONTS for eating out.

Logan Circle's New Maki Shop is Picnic Perfect

Headed out on a DC picnic? Need to pick up something delicious on your way home? If so, stock up with reasonably priced, machine-rolled maki at Logan Circle's new Maki Shop. The food is fresh and the flavors so right, you don't even need the four specialty dipping sauces. Mom recommends the soft shell crab and tofu rolls as well as the seaweed salad.

To be honest, there isn't much on the menu that whets my palate. And when it came time to nurse the newbie, the stools were a bit too high and tippy. However, we did manage on-site dining with two strollers and two sleeping babies. Although this did require some maneuvering and an empty restaurant. Another consideration, no changing tables.

However, don't let the rather baby-unfriendly infrastructure deter you from a quick and delicious sushi meal. Just plan your trip with baby accordingly.

American Ice Company

This place is ideal for a baby on warm days. Outdoors, background noise, spacious picnic benches for baby carriers or nursing, wide aisles for strollers and reasonable price points. I'm not the first baby to discover this place, I know.

We actually went here two days after I came home from the hospital. That was all it took for Mom, Dad and Grandma to get antsy. I traveled the few short blocks to American Ice Company (at 917 V Street, NW, WDC, 20001) in the Moby once I had been fed and changed.

We ordered beers and appetizers as soon as the waitress arrived, unsure how long we would be staying. It was some serious uncharted territory.

After nine months of quizzing waiters on non-alcoholic options, Mom was stoked to savor a crisp IPA. We shared a platter of veggie nachos before it was time for me to eat again.

Now that I'm older, I can do some serious damage to the pulled pork or brisket platter combo.We have the most success going on the earlier side of lunch and happy hour. This ensures space to spread out a bit and go crazy at the bottomless water station at the back of the outdoor patio. I'll definitely return.

Blind Dog Cafe Buttery goodness for your maternity leave

A fabulous excuse to get out of the house, Blind Dog's (at 944 Florida Avenue, NW) multiple steps aren't that stroller-friendly. I recommend ordering inside and then camping out in the front or back patio instead of venturing through the coffee shop. 

I spent many a fall day nursing outside under my nursing shawl while Mama devoured the beet, walnut and goat cheese salad or any of the frittatas. A maternity-leave-must-do, the quite corner location offered a place to put me to sleep in my stroller and soak up some sunshine while Mom read, caught up on emails or just stared into space testing if her short-term memory was still in tact.

Now that I'm older, Mom and Dad go for breakfast cappuccinos, scones and croissants. There is also the breakfast bargain which includes a breakfast sandwich and coffee for $6.50!

To keep me busy and entertained when I was starting solids, they would ask the barista to slice me off a piece of crusty bread ("traditional French baguette") to gnaw on. The bread is just the right size for my baby grip and teething gums, offering parents about 20 minutes to sip their espressos.

The couches and coffee table to the right of the cash register are a more ideal/child-proofed location (more so than the outdoor patios) now that I'm cruising and climbing - as I can't wander too far but I CAN bang on the glass windows behind the bench (another guaranteed 10 minutes of entertainment). By that point, Mom and Dad have had a chance to savor their coffee and talk about something other than me.

Just a friendly heads up - at Blind Dog Cafe, even though they ask you for a tip when you pay, they will never, and I mean never, bring your food to you - even when you are four weeks old, balancing in your mom's arms, and she's driving the stroller with her feet. Just trying to manage expectations.

Take one bite of their chocolate chip cookie, and you'll see why no one should complain too much about this place. Plus the people who work there are friendly, enough.

Key takeaway - as with every outing, strategize to minimize schlepping. Don't bring baby and all of his/her stuff in and out to save your seat, just wait for your food at the counter, gather your utensils, and then voyage to a table of choice. Venturing in and out over all the steps with stroller and baby is a challenge. When possible, we try to make as few trips down and up as possible. Unless of course it is to finish your meal with a chocolate chip cookie. Get up again for that.

The Dos and Donts of Eating out with Baby

These are really more gentle suggestions. If parents had to do and not do everything everyone told them, no one would leave the house. Some ideas of what to do and bring for those of you interested to learn from my many gastronomic failures and few successes: 

1. First and foremost, for brand new babies, try to make sure ALL of our needs are met before leaving the house. Dry diaper, dry clothes, full stomach, you get the point. There is nothing worse than sitting down at a restaurant with a little critter who wants something other than a nice warm nap against the chest of a salivating parent who hopes to eat and drink with two free hands for the first time in possibly days.

2. Moby Wrap or other baby carrier. Most places don't accommodate strollers well, and all you want to do is trip a waitress your first few minutes upon returning to civilization to really start your meal off poorly. A baby carrier allows you to keep me kissing-distance away thus responding quickly to any sound, vibration or other need. Yet, both hands are free to eat, drink or maybe even hold hands with your partner for the first time in months.

3. A gender neutral diaper bag that anyone can carry to put in the rest of the crap that I may or may not need, such as Hooter Hider, changing pad, diapers, wipes, second pacifier, second set of clothes, Sofi the Giraffe, you get the point.

Don't let your meal be spoiled by my wanting that one random thing that you left at home in your numb daze of being a new or seasoned parent. Keep the same stuff in the same bag all the time, and just leave it by the door.

4. Order right away. Even check the menu on your iPhone when en route. This is especially true if the restaurant doesn't have a bread basket or kids packet to welcome you.

5. Never "do nothing" when eating in public. The only thing that seems to frustrate restaurant staff, fellow patrons and fellow partners is the "pretend-it's-not-happening-and-do-nothing approach." You know who you are. I've seen you in the supermarket or at the Estee Lauder counter hemming and hawing over lipsticks while Junior screams and whines in the stroller that you barely rock in a weak effort to silence his cries. The whole cosmetic section is glaring you down, wondering why you aren't hearing what they hear.

Ignoring tantrums does not seem to go over well in restaurants either and usually leads to catastrophic meltdowns and parents never venturing anything more exciting than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at a playground until you go off to college. Don't be THOSE parents. Never "do nothing." Take action. Have in the back of your mind one of the many things that your kid may need and start there.

6. The key is always be ready to take action.Always have a plan A, B, C and, yes even, D. Should you get to it, when you are implementing plan C also ask and pay for the check. Most likely you won't get to it, but should need to execute plan D (a swift, soft-spoken exit), there is nothing to hold you back.

Plan A usually has to do with switching positions - Moby to lap. Highchair to Moby. Dad to Mom. Mom to Grandma.

Plan B usually involves food - boobies, sippy cup, toast fingers, fruit pouches, raisins - just have it ready to fly out and into your baby's mouth before too many people start to stare.

And plan C can be a range of entertainment: pacifier, toy, book, diaper change, walk to the bathroom/outdoors, etc.

Don't get too skilled at A-D of course. They constantly change with child's age.

7. Lastly, if you are nursing, start practicing at restaurants NOW. All of you - mom, baby and partner. It only gets easier, but it takes practice. Lots of practice. Don't feel ashamed if a waiter or two sees a boob or two. You will feel like a champ in the long-run.

Dads and partners, be supportive and ready to lend a hand. Pull out a blanket or bib, hold the pacifier, remind her to put her boob back in her bra. You'll learn.

Getting comfortable nursing in public gives everyone in the family, especially the nursing mom, an incredible amount of freedom to go more places, more times of the day with more all-around flexibility. It's empowering. Plus you won't find baby complaining when you figure out how to whip up a meal in seconds of the first whimper.

I quite liked snuggling up under one of these nursing shawls when out to eat. Although the more common "Hooter Hiders" or a lighter aden + anais blanket are better in DC summers.

Learn ABOUT ME here. 

Sticky string at FoggyBottom's District Commons

When we showed up to District Commons not only did they have our table and high chairs waiting for us, they had a kids-pack-thing chocked full of crayons, coloring paper, a legit children's menu and this odd, sticky string - an instant-hit. 

A Foggy Bottom favorite, District Commons brunch is, in my humble opinion, superior to dinner or lunch. The Short Rib Hash and the Shrimp and Grits are hands down two of the best items on the menu ... for parents, that is, although I did like the grits and potatoes that come with the hash. 

We also ordered the Hot Pretzels, Kentucky Colonel Flatbread and Artisanal Ham, Acadiana Biscuits, Vermont Creamery Butter and Pickled Cherries as starters - all of which went like hotcakes among our party of eight. 

Silly string and all, the multiple courses did try my patience. I recommend ordering everything at one time and having food come out when it is ready. 

At $6 an item, I ordered off the kids' menu and had a cheesy omelette that worked out quite well. 

Random side note, the changing table is in the handicap bathroom stall in the ladies' - and hopefully the men's too. 

Happy parents combined with a forgiving waitstaff and a well-fed baby made for a successful family-friendly brunch out with friends. A must try when eating out with or without baby! 

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

Poop? No problem with Busboys and Poets changing tables.

There is a certain level of comfort knowing you can go out and should you need to poop, the dining experience is still in tact.

If you don't believe me, try otherwise.

Needless, I like 14th Street's Busboys and Poets for many reasons. Most mention-able, the changing tables. I can also throw back three of their scrambled eggs and toast on a Sunday morning. Or for $3 extra dollars my parents can order a side sweet potato pancake. Meal enough for a two year old! Their high chairs are sturdy, and the loud background noise muffles pretty much any noise I make, so parents can worry less about disturbing others. Strollers can be rolled or folded up next to the tables. Plus I've been nursed more times than I can count to nobody's chagrin.

My parents really enjoy their basic American fare. Favorites include their Reuben sandwich, vegan tuna, french toast and Oaxaca omelettes - not to mention full espresso bar. The price points are affordable. And fellow patrons are mostly hipsters with suspenders and skinny jeans who remind parents of what life used to be, and most (with the exception of a one or two) waitstaff are still smiling even after they look down at what I leave below my high chair.

Easy to manage with baby, toddler or both and consistently good food make it a logical go-to for family-friendly dining.

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