Cafe food and drink for kids

[ultramarine]

I'm starting a cafe at a local historic building.

Can you guys give me any pointers on what you like to give your children to eat when you're on a day out (it's a long time since my kids were small).

It's going to be a very simple place: local bread for sandwiches, home made cakes, scones - but we'll have to buy in crisps etc too, I think.

Any ideas very gratefully received!

DD is 10y and will eat pretty much anything and always has done - so would suggest that you could maybe do all items on the menu in two sizes - small and normal. Also maybe having all dressings and sauces as options to go on top/inside or as a side in a little pot.

Half portions are good of something more substantial. If I do buy food when we are out I often like to give them something "proper" so I can give them a snacky tea myself at home to save the hassle of cooki ng. I think NT places get it right for food, it is always so yummy!

As others have said the ability simply to order plain sandwiches. No salad, no sauce.

Toasted sandwiches are good.

Likewise, pasta and pizza with no lumps of tomato. Sweetcorn not beans or peas.

Baked potatoes, scrambled eggs, good thin sausages and chicken strips.
Chips are fine, but not a huge heap.
Perfect lump free mash.

Never ever assume a child will eat sauce or gravy, however innocuous.

Many small DCs will eat yoghurt when nothing else appeals.

Millionaires short bread and Ice cream!!!

Half portions of adult food for DD1 who isn't anything like as fussy as impossible DD2

I love places which do childs cutlery and plastic glasses. Ikea sell both cheap.

Apple juice, I've never met a child who won't drink plain clear boring apple juice.

Simple sandwiches, jacket potatoes, a children's ploughmans with cheese, ham, apple, grapes and nice bread, soup, pasta.

Personally I would avoid anywhere that thinks children have to eat nuggests and chips or have their sandwiches in a little box!

I'm fairly new to eating out with a toddler (DD is 16 months old), but on a recent family holiday the best places we ate in:

• Did half portions of the entire menu (As someone said above, doing toddler, child and adult portions is a fantastic idea, if feasible)

• Had a box of toys in the corner of the cafe which kept DD occupied

• Brought out DD's food/drink first with her own plastic cutlery so she didn't have to wait too long

• Gave service with a smile!!

Oh yes, toddler size cutlery and crokery. The Ikea rainbow coloured plastic stuff will do, but just have something! Decent baby changing and a toddler loo seat too.