10 Mom-Friendly Restaurants for Mother's Day

May is Mother’s month, which gives you a reason to treat yourself to a get together with some mom-friends of yours. What about the kids, you say?  No sweat!  Here are some kid-friendly restaurants that are also mom-approved!  Get on the phone and book a date with your girl pals now.

Mary Grace

Originally known for its melt-in-your-mouth ensaymadas and cheese rolls, Mary Grace has expanded its offerings to delicious pastas and sandwiches. Favorites are the beef tapa (breakfast is served all-day), prawn salad with mango papaya vinaigrette salad and fresh tomato and herb pasta. But my gal pals and I still love an afternoon meet-up at their Greenbelt branch so we can each order a warm ensaymada with a cup of hot chocolate. The restaurant’s mezzanine has a small nook where little kids can play or read. The homey ambiance of the whole restaurant is so cozy that moms will want to stay there for hours.

 

Chilis

Bottomless tostada chips with homemade salsa are perfect for moms with their margaritas during an early evening get-together. Order the warm cheese dip for the kids and share the chips with them. For the main course, moms will enjoy the mushroom jack fajitas with grilled juicy chicken, crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms and vegetables. The serving’s big enough to share (be sure to ask for the free additional wraps). Kids will find a lot of yummy meals from the kids menu - try the little chicken crispers and fries. While moms chat, kids get entertained by activity sheets and cartoon shows. Occasionally, kids-eat-free coupons are given to use on your next visit. The Greenbelt branch is a particular favorite of mine as the servers are not only friendly but very honest. We accidentally left an iPad and when we went back after a couple of hours, they had kept it safe and returned it to us.  Kudos to the servers of Chilis!

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Circles Event Café

You may need to save up for a Sunday lunch buffet at the Circles Event Café at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel but it will be worth it. Perhaps celebrate a mom’s girl pal’s birthday here and fearlessly bring the kids. There’s lots of free fun-filled entertainment at Circles! It’s like a kiddie party each Sunday with face painting, glitter tattoos and balloon twisting. Kids will be fascinated with the skilled magician as he performs his amazing magic tricks. Even adults tend to stop and watch too. Moms will enjoy the variety of international dishes and will have a hard time choosing from the enticing desserts while their kids enjoy the shows.

 

Cibo

Love to have an Italian-inspired dish while chatting with your girl pals?  Cibo is a great hang-out with its delectable pasta dishes and healthy sandwiches. Moms who desire for a light dish can choose to have a Manzo Panini (ciabatta, beef tenderloin, gorgonzola and grilled onions) or the Spaghettini alla Margherita (pasta with stewed tomato, basil and garlic). The milk fruit shakes are simply refreshing, and it’s also the perfect place to sneak in some veggies in your kids’ diet with their delicious spinach dip. Cibo has Club Bimbi where members can get surprises - monthly perks such as freebies and tokens. There’s a 12-step mission to bagging a Club Bimbi badge. The tasks are fun such as making your own pizza, writing down four cool words that describe Cibo and donating 12 books to their Books for The Better program.

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TGI Friday’s

It’s a kid-friendly classic! The menu is filled with tasty dishes from ribs and steaks to seafood and salad. Moms can try the Friday’s Three-For-All appetizer that serves three of the restaurant’s popular appetizers: potato skins, fried mozzarella and spicy buffalo wings, while kids will enjoy the chicken crispers or the mini burgers. Servers wear interesting hats and funky pins that can be fun for kids to look at. Younger kids will be kept entertained with crayons and an activity mat, plus a balloon that is given to each kid after each visit. The restaurant also has a summer program for kids called “Kids In Stripes” where kids do fun activities, get a tour of the restaurant and get trained to be servers. They wear their TGI Friday’s uniform, follow the servers around and help get orders. If one of them helps your server, don’t forget to give a tip!

 

Banapple

Known for its scrumptious desserts such as the truly fabulous banoffee pie, Banapple also has delicious pasta and other dishes. A favorite dish is the baked creamy cheese penne pasta. If you choose to drop by the branch at the Ayala Triangle, your kids will enjoy playing in the park while you and your girl pals enjoy the warm sunshine with a slice of pie and a cup of cappuccino. The restaurant has a small interior but has outside seating.

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Pancake House

Want to meet your girl pals for brunch? Consider doing so at Pancake House. With its many branches all over the city and its recent addition of healthy dishes to the menu, Pancake House is a great choice. Kids will love the stack of chocolate chips pancakes that comes with a side of peanut butter (yum!) or may opt for the kid-size serving called Small Soldiers. The spaghetti and pan chicken are also classic favorites. Moms will enjoy the heartwarming soups and salads and may not resist ordering a taco on the side. Kids are treated to activity mats and crayons while waiting for their food.

 

Tony Romas

Craving for delicious baby-back ribs? Head off to Tony Roma’s! The servers are very friendly to kids and will recommend the sinful Haagen Dazs milkshakes and skillet cookie sundae to complement the main dish. Try their seafood fare as well such as the Ocean Feast with crispy fish fillet, shrimps, calamari, crab sticks and potato salad. There’s barbecue chicken, lamb and pork chops, and steak too. Kids will enjoy a hearty meal while being kept busy with crayons and coloring sheets.  

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Café Breton

Enjoy an afternoon at this chic café and partake its mouthwatering crepes. My gal pals and I love the La Pinay crepe of sweet mangoes, a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of syrup. Make it sinfully delicious by requesting a coat of nuttella. Another favorite is the Galette Bretonne with spinach, shrimps sautéed with crab meat, fresh cream and Gruyere cheese. Kids can choose from a variety of crepes: there’s ham and cheese, sausages, tuna, chicken and salmon, and they’ll get tempted by the choices of dessert crepes, too. The restaurant has a bright and welcoming feel and a great place for moms and their friends to meet up.  Kids will enjoy watching the cooks create the crepes.

 

Chocolate Fire

Looking for chocolate heaven in a bar-type atmosphere? That’s Chocolate Fire along Leviste street in Salcedo Village. The restaurant is like a deli of freshly made chocolate, such a unique concept! Although lights are dim to complement the bar ambiance, kids are frequent visitors here. The to-die-for fondue is a must. The chocolate fondue (milk or dark) comes with imported strawberries, bananas, dried fruits, nuts and marshmallows.  Kids will also love the delicious milkshakes and will want to nibble on the fun-shaped chocolate lollipops. The ambiance is cozy with comfy seating and couches and a great place for long chats for moms.

Photos:  Mary Grace, Chilis, Circles Event Cafe, Cibo, Fridays, Banapple, Pancake House, Tony Roma's, Cafe Breton, Chocolate Fire, women eating