Eating with Baby

I'm one of those mummies who like to be as prepared as can be. When I go out with Baby, I bring - not those pretty Kate Spade diaper bags - but the largest Allerhand sling you can find right now, which I call "The Box". This box is so that I can stuff Baby's spare change of clothes, biscuits, water, diapers, assortment of toys, nappies and hankies. Not to mention his food, which has to come in its Foogo thermos and BPA free cutlery, and a 2nd serving that comes with its seperate feeding container and cutlery. Of course, having this Box means I also need a helper to carry my bag, diaper bag, and of course the Baby. I have good help from my hubby and my helper. And my Peg Perego Pliko P3 that is very very hardy and sturdy.

So, when it comes to eating out with Baby, imagine the logistics involved in setting up the chair and wiping what i imagine to be trillions of germs and bacteria away with just 1 handy wet wipe. Then unpacking his array of feeding equipment & food. Then managing a feed myself left and feed Baby right kind of juggling routine, while trying to ensure he's entertained and not reaching the coffee at our corner or the knife for my pork chop. Very often, this routine also includes asking the eating place for hot water.

So after months of practicing at this, hubby and I are quite adept and have evolved into a smooth operation. We know what entertains him (menus and things he can bang the table with), where he should face (anywhere with older children or dogs), and we play tag team. We are refraining from bringing out the portable DVD player, Baby's doing well so far.

We have also settled on a few favourite places to eat at. Where the wet wipe doesn't show black oily stains on the table, where service staff are helpful and prompt, where environment is good. I was never a foodie till becoming a mummy where I became even less of a foodie. Now priority goes to ambience and comfort.

Here's the list of favourite eating places:

1) Big-O @Paragon
- We have considered other places in Paragon, but they're either too crowded or too cramped. So we've stuck with Big-O, because the seating areas are comfortable and spacious and clean. The service staff are friendly adn helps with carrying Ian's "Mercedes Benz" up and down the stairs, they play with him too. They don't look bored or underpaid. And Big-O has nice pork chop, steak and cheese sandwich, and mudpie.

2) Killiney Kopitiam @ Suntec (convention side)
- Every Sunday morning we attend service at Gallery West. Every Sunday we are stuck on the dismal and overpriced offerings at Food Republic for breakfast. Some Sundays we would park at Tower 4 and have fried bee hoon at the food court there. But most Sundays we head straight to Killiney, because it offers a quiet respite with decent coffee and half-boiled eggs.

3) Bab Noodle @ Millenia
- Bab noodle offers a nice and peaceful hangout place for our Sunday lunches. While the food is normal, it is not pricey. They have outside seating without the 2nd hand smoke, and they serve teh tarik without the prata smell! Teh tarik is normal.

4) Botanic Gardens
- Technically not a restaurant, but just a great place to feed Baby and let him take in the greenery, the children running around, the big dogs....

5) Ben & Jerry's @ Dempsey
- I tried this and experience wasn't too bad: eat at Ben & Jerry's, then head to Gogo Bambini beside for Baby to to work out at the indoor playgym. Free entrance for 10 months and below. Ben & Jerry's food is slightly pricey, but its spaciousness and free parking make up for it. Service level is inconsistent however. I have met friendly youth type and also act-cool-deserve-a-slap face type. And there's the fried smell.

6) Nando's @ Tanglin Mall
- A quarter chicken can fill me up just nice and you feel healthier eating roasted as opposed to fried chicken. Won't break the bank too. Service staff are attentive.

7) MacDonald's @ Forum
- Sad to say, Mac's is the most comfy and affordable eating place that can feed us in 1 serving, in Forum. We used to go playgym there so I reserve my Mac's quota for those Sat trips.

8) Cedele @ Wheelock
- Again, due to lack of choices around there. We did try the Borders bistro (if it's still called that) but Cedele is cheaper. Ambience is good but there's the fried smell.

9) Crystal Jade @ Taka
- Only attempted eating at Taka twice with baby. One was at the restaurant. Notwithstanding the price, the service staff were very good - order taker could advise on whether portions are adequate, and could pre-empt our needs with our young Baby in tow. I feel safe under the waitress aunties' care!

10) Shokudo @ Raffles City
- It's just spacious compared to the rest of the places.

There are definitely some places we went which were appalling in terms of baby unfriendliness, but rather than name the failed ones I chose to highlight the passed ones.

And btw, every foodcourt I've been to failed the wet wipe test. Sad!