One of my earliest and loftiest goals in raising my boys was to instill in them proper table manners and elegant restaurant behavior. I wanted to have sons that others would envy for their ability to go anywhere fancy and act accordingly. For Mason’s 1st birthday, 14 people joined us for dinner at Lawry’s the Prime Rib, my family’s traditional place to celebrate birthdays for generations. Good thing we had our own room because by the end of the evening, a few rounds of everyone singing ‘Open Shut Them,’ were required to keep little Mason from losing it completely. The fact of the matter is that toddlers and sophisticated establishments repel one another.
Thank heavens for Giggles N’ Hugs, Brentwood’s answer to the kids vs. restaurants war. It’s really the perfect place to go when you just don’t have the energy to try anymore. Kids are free to play, get their faces painted, listen to stories, jump, tumble, giggle and (should the mood strike) hug. There are lifeguard-like professionals manning the floor to prevent injuries but I’m always amazed at the kids’ ability to avoid crashing into one another despite cars and princesses zooming in every direction. This place might succeed where others like it have failed because the food appeals to the parents as much as the kids. I’ve been trying to reproduce the tang of their baked chicken nuggets at home and have come up short every time. For a little more nutrition and money you can have the chef secretly sneak vegetables into the mac ‘n cheese, Jessica Seinfeld style. Giggles ‘N’ Hugs offers much to satisfy parents’ palates too: Hearty sandwiches, freshly tossed salads, tasty pizzas, all of which I’ve tried and enjoyed.
Of course, no place is without its drawbacks. Kids’ fare doesn’t necessarily equal lower prices. A family of four will typically spend more than $50 on dinner, parking and playtime. Not cheap, but considerably less than going to Disneyland and the kids probably have more fun singing kiddie-karaoke than they do waiting in line to meet Mickey Mouse.
There’s also the worry that letting them run loose at a restaurant will spoil them from learning how to behave back in the real world. Like any addiction, it’s probably not a good idea to go every night. But on occasion, there is nothing more natural, relaxing and fun than letting kids just be kids for an evening. If nutritious and delicious food is included, that is definitely something to giggle and hug over.
