10 Kid-friendly Restaurants for your 2013 Graduate

It’s graduation season once again, and you want to give your little one a treat he / she deserves. If you’re looking for a new place to dine, check out these epicurean havens whose yummy kiddie menus will whet not just your child’s appetite, but yours, as well.

1. Yabu

Join the katsu craze and let your kids appreciate it, too! A home-grown restaurant that serves authentic Japanese fare, Yabu offers signature dishes prepared meticulously -- from the use of Koshihikari, the finest Japanese rice, to the exact time the pork should be removed from the bubbling oil for that crispy but tender katsu perfection.

Kiddie-friendly options:

• Kids Katsu Set Meals
The set consists of a portion of katsu (choice of pork, chicken or fish) served with potato croquette, edamame, Japanese rice cabbage and a bowl of fruit.

• Menchi Katsu Set
A delicious mix of minced premium beef and pork covered in crunchy panko filled with oozing creamy cheese.

• Original Rosu Katsudon
This is authentic katsudon made the Yabu way -- delicious cutlets dipped in egg and dredged in fresh panko, served over a bowl of steamed Japanese rice and covered with special Yabu sauce and beaten eggs.

Average price per person: Php 300-600

Yabu has branches at SM Megamall, Robinsons Magnolia, and SM Mall of Asia. Photos courtesy of Yabu House of Katsu

[previous|page|next]

2. California Pizza Kitchen

Known for its Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen is a casual dining restaurant that delights not just mommies and daddies; its hearth-baked pizzas, made-to-order pastas, freshly-tossed salads, tasty appetizers, soups, salads and desserts are as tempting for children, too!  

Kiddie-friendly Options:

• Lasagna Milanese
A hearty pasta dish with Italian crumbled sausage in Bolognese sauce, button mushrooms, bechamel, ricotta, mozarella and parmesan cheeses topped with fresh basil.

• Original Chicken BBQ Pizza
California Pizza Kitchen’s all-time bestseller brick-oven baked pizza topped with BBQ sauce, smoked Gauda, mozzarella, BBQ chicken, red onions and cilantro.

• Cheese Steak Sandwich
USDA Tender steak strips sauteéd with button mushrooms, yellow onions, Mozarella and Queso Quesadilla cheeses.

Average price per person: Php 550

California Pizza Kitchen has branches at TriNoma, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Greenbelt 5, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Greenhills Promenade, Power Plant Mall, and Harbor Point Mall. Photos courtesy of California Pizza Kitchen - Global Restaurant Concepts Inc.

3. Amici

From a printing press canteen started by Salesian Italian missionary Fr. Gianluigi Colombo, Amici di Don Bosco flourished into a gastronomic haven that brings an authentic Italian dining experience your friends and family will always enjoy.

Kiddie-friendly Options:

• Chorizo Portobello Pizza               
A delectable pizza with chorizo, Italian sausage and portobello mushrooms

• Lasagne al Ragu    
A hearty meat ragu sauce with creamy layers of cheese and baked pasta sheets

• Cannelloni Agli Spinaci    
A classic favorite, pasta tubes filled with spinach and ricotta cheese topped with tomato sauce and a layer of creamy cheese. It’s a great way to introduce veggies into your child’s food!

• Pollo Arrostito
Rosemary half chicken baked to perfection and served with veggies

Average price per person: Php 300-400

Amici has branches at Don Bosco, Makati, SM Megamall, Alabang Town Center, and Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati. Photos courtesy of Amici.

[previous|page|next]

4. Pepper Lunch

A fast-steak restaurant concept that originated in Japan, Pepper Lunch brings sumptuous delights that allow diners to cook their own food over a patented electromagnetic plate that is heated up to 260 degrees Celsius within one minute – a fun activity that families will definitely enjoy. Choice cuts of beef, chicken, pork and salmon are served with rice and vegetables for guests to cook and season using flavors of teriyaki, onion sauce, honey brown sauce (Amakuchi) or garlic soy sauce (Karakuchi)—and that dash of freshly ground pepper to give you that delicious, flavor-filled meal.

Kiddie-friendly Option:

• Beef Pepper Rice
Pepper Lunch’s original dish that started it all, the thinly-sliced beef generously served with Japanese rice, and topped with corn, chives and a dash of fresh pepper will make your kids ask for more. Have fun mixing it all up and enjoy some of their table sauces for that extra kick!

Average price per person: Php 250-275

Pepper Lunch has branches at Powerplant Mall, Shangrila Plaza Mall, Alabang Town Center, Robinsons Ermita, and SM Megamall. Photo courtesy of Pepper Lunch.

5. LuLu

Tucked in a quiet side of Joya Drive in Rockwell Center, LuLu is a chic restaurant that offers fine cuisine for discerning diners. Aside from its repertoire of dishes comprising classical cuisine with a modern twist, eclectic dishes, comfort food, vegetarian and healthy cuisine, LuLu can also prepare complimentary organic baby food and will warm your baby’s bottle upon request.

Baby food options:
• Strawberry and Banana Puree

• Sweet Potato and Orange Puree

• Pea and Potato Mash

• Carrot and Mint Puree

• Sweet Pumpkin Puree

• Apple and Grape Puree

Average price for lunch / dinner: Php 750

LuLu is located at the ground floor of Joya Bldg., Joya Drive, Poblacion, Makati. Photos courtesy of LuLu.

[previous|page|next]

6. Mamou

A home kitchen, the restaurant’s name “Mamou” originated from the owner’s name, Malou, as mispronounced by her nephew. Mamou’s menu features recipes the owner used to cook for her family and friends.

Kiddie-friendly Options:

• Orange Kamote Cream Soup
Sweet orange potato in ginger cream broth

• Lorenzo's Truffle Pasta
Spaghettini pasta in truffle-flavoured cream sauce, topped with Grana Padano cheese

• Pasta Andrada (P390)
Spaghettini pasta with USDA Prime grade ground beef and bacon steaks stewed in Italian tomatoes on cream sauce

• Duck Adobo Flakes
Native duck adobo flakes served white/red garlic rice and truffle-flavoured eggs and pickled ubod

Average price per person: Php 500-1000

Mamou has branches at Serendra, Fort Bonifacio, and the Power Plant Mall. Photos courtesy of Mamou.

7. Cue Moderne Barbecue

Hardcore carnivores will definitely love the wide array of cuts, sauces and side dishes at this barbeque haven. Kids will surely love the tacos and apple pie, too!

Kiddie-friendly Options:

• A Skillet of Home-Style Mac and Cheese
Kids will love this classic mac and cheese with yellow cheddar, aged gruyere, mozzarella, bacon, and tomato

• Chicken Chipotle Chorizo Pot Pie
This pot pie has house-made bourbon cream, carrots, onions, celery – a real comfort food treat!

• Smoked Chili Louisiana Crab Cake
Golden-fried crispy crab cakes with ranch dressing – a perfect seafood alternative

• Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream and Butterscotch Sauce

• Bone Marrow and Steak Tacos
Sinful bone marrow and succulent beef with roasted corn salsa, tiny flour tortillas, and sweet and spicy salsa verde

Average price per person: Php 500

Cue Moderne is located at the ground floor Bonifacio High Street Central, East Superblock, 7th Ave cor 29th St., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. Photos by Efren L. Reyes, Jr.

[previous|page|next]

8. IHOP

The International House of Pancakes or “IHOP”, an iconic brand in the US famous for serving all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner items, is now open in the Philippines. Aside from heartwarming pancakes and omelettes, they have a wide array of kiddie dishes, too!

Kiddie-friendly Options:

• Create-A-Face Pancake
A big buttermilk pancake with strawberry eyes, a whipped topping nose and a fresh banana smile, served with low-fat strawberry yogurt

• Funny Face
A chocolate, chocolate-chip pancake with powdered sugar, maraschino cherry eyes and a whipped topping smile

• Rooty Jr.
One scrambled egg, one strip of bacon, one pork sausage link and one buttermilk pancake crowned with whipped topping and your choice of cool strawberry topping, warm blueberry compote or apple compote

• Silver Five
Five silver dollar-sized buttermik pancakes with a scrambled egg and your choice of pork sausage link or crispy bacon

• Cheese Omelette
Made with a splash of buttermilk and wheat pancake batter for extra fluffiness, filled with cheddar cheese and served with seasonal mixed fruit

Average price per person: Php 300

IHOP is located at W Global Center, 30th St cor 9th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. Photo courtesy of IHOP Philippines.

9. Cyma

For a Mediterranean twist to your usual family dining experience, try Cyma, a taverna that offers a wide variety of authentic Greek cuisine in the metro. Your kids will love their plethora of cheese fondues, skewers and desserts.

Kiddie-friendly Options:

• Spinach and Artichoke Fondue  
A delectable blend of melting cheese, sun dried tomatoes and feta, served with warm pita triangles and grilled garlic bread

• Souvlakia Souvlaki
Chicken, pork tenderloin, lamb, seafood, or steak skewers with fresh vegetables and served with parsley salad and yogurt garlic sauce

• Moussaka
Greece's national dish comes with layered seasoned ground pork and beef, roasted Japanese eggplant and Greek bechamel sauce.

• Skolatina
Little ones will go crazy over this molten chocolate cake ala mode drizzled with caramel sauce

Average price per person:  Php 300-500

Cyma has branches at Greenbelt 2, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Trinoma, and Eastwood Mall. Photo by Efren L. Reyes, Jr.

10. Bizu Patisserie and Bistro

From the French word bisous which means “kiss”, Bizu initially came out with a unique selection of cakes and pastries with a dream to have an authentic Parisian patisserie in the country. Years after, the patisserie is now a bistro, serving the finest French pastries and all-day breakfast, lunch, afternoon teas and dinner items.

Kiddie-friendly Options:

• Spaghetti with Meatballs

• Fried Chicken Tenders

• Mini Burger and Fries

Average price per person: Php 300-500

Bizu has branches at Greenbelt 2, Greenhills Shopping Center, and St. Lukes Medical Center, Taguig. Photo courstesy of Bizu.