Dining out with kids always presents a bit of a conundrum: Do you stick with the traditional pizza and burger establishments and let your taste buds wither, or go higher-end and risk all-out chaos? Thankfully, upscale casual meets fast and friendly with two fabulous kid-friendly restaurants that just opened in Bergen: Sugar and Plumm in Bergen Towne Center and BASTE in Ridgewood.
Enter Sugar and Plumm, which feels more like a fantasyland dining experience than your typical family eatery. Cotton clouds hang from the ceiling in the pastel-colored dining room, where delicious bistro fare (freshly made crepes, waffles, omelets, panini sandwiches and salads) is served to those with discerning palates. Younger and more finicky diners can choose from kid menu options like mini-beef dogs (good enough for mom to sample) and Plumm sliders. For dessert, appropriately-named Sugar and Plumm stocks confections that make for a modern day Willy Wonka: inside-out apple pie, tarts, éclairs, house-made gelato and macaroons in a rainbow of flavors are just a few options for the sweet-toothed. Mamas with toddlers can fend-off tantrums with stickers or a plush toy from the on-premise boutique. Sugar & Plumm, 620 Bergen Town Center, Paramus, 201-880-8157
Roasted, basted, moist, magnificent chicken is the main fare at BASTE in Ridgewood, whose offerings will please both foodies and their offspring with their gourmet, fresh, house-made meals, brought to us from the folks who run the kitchen at Axia in Tenafly. Lunch and dinner are served daily in this upscale casual, dine-in, take out spot. Highlights include the Baste Chicken sliders with Avocado Mousse, Spaetzle and the Country Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken. And yes, there are chicken tenders on the kids menu. BASTE is a terrific spot for a casual family meal or to grab on-the-go healthy grub before or after team practice. Local delivery coming soon. Baste, 26 Wilsey Square, Ridgewood, 201-857-5800
