Eating out with kids is always an adventure. It's like not unlike watching an episode of Jersey Shore -- it's loud, obnoxious and you often question what made you want to do it in the first place.
It's always tricky picking a restaurant that will please everyone in our family. We try to rotate so everyone gets a chance to choose. My kids are pretty adventurous and we've made an effort to expose them to a variety of ethnic tastes so it's not unheard of for them to crave Indian or Middle Eastern fare.
As a mom, I'm always looking for healthy alternatives to cooking at home and fortunately, a few national chains have stepped up to the plate (literally), offering fresh, organic meals that appeal to kids and their parents.
One of our "go-to" spots has always been Sweet Tomatoes, a salad buffet that also features soups, pizzas, fruit, pastas and of course, the obligatory frozen yogurt. That's why I was even more pleased to read that they recently earned a "green" seal of approval for adding more organic offerings to their menu. They've also made a concerted effort to reduce waste, conserve energy and water and implement non-toxic cleaning products in all their restaurants.
If your palate is a bit more sophisticated, you might check out one of the dining options participating in Share Our Strength's "Great American Dine Out", kicking off on Sunday. This nationwide fundraiser allows a variety of culinary establishments to donate a portion of their proceeds to hunger relief organizations. With an estimated 16 million kids in our country going hungry on a regular basis, the need could not be greater.
I do find it a bit unsettling that my going out for a nice meal helps those who are going without food. But hey, if it raises money for a good cause, then I guess the end justifies the means.
For more information or to find a list of restaurants in your area, click here.
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