For families who fancy going out for lunch with the whole crew in tow, there’s plenty of choice. Most restaurants cater for little ones these days and pubs are welcoming to all the family and often design menus especially for children. So there’s no excuse for leaving them in with a babysitter – families can eat together and enjoy a meal out that works for everyone.
At Quattro Foods we design menu solutions to help you enhance your children’s menus, so that families come back to you again and again. Do you need new ideas for hearty pub fare that kids will love tucking into? Or maybe you have a children’s menu but it needs some finessing, or some new additions? Call on Team Quattro, with our range of delicious and nutritious food products, with flavours and textures to suit every palette and appetite.
What are families looking for when they dine out?
Cost – The first thing everyone is seeking in these days of skyrocketing living costs, is value for money. Charge a fortune for kids’ food and they’ll run a mile.
Flavour – We’re all happy to take the kids out as long as they eat without a fuss. Make sure your menu offers delicious food that will appeal to little tummies.
Friendly and patient service – Tantrums and tears are part and parcel of a family day out – we’ve all been there. Make sure your staff remain kind and polite when things don’t go according to plan. If they’re not naturally gifted at dealing with noisy and indecisive customers, train and brief them well and instil a relaxed attitude before they serve diners.
Activities – Make sure little ones don’t get bored while they’re waiting for your chefs to cook up a storm. Offer them crayons for colouring in, or even menus they can draw on featuring quizzes and puzzles to create a fun and interactive experience for every age.
Portion size – There are some kids who simply won’t eat off a children’s menu. Be prepared for adventurous little eaters who go for the adult fare but can’t quite cope with a full-sized portion. Make sure you can offer your menu staples, with adaptable plate sizes to suit little tummies with big ambitions.
How to spot a family-friendly pub
In the UK, dining at a local pub is a part of everyday life, and can be an economical way to feed the family. Whilst adults enjoy a couple of pints, they can treat the whole family to fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd’s pie – sometimes with a modern or international twist.
Here are some tips we’ve put together for parents looking for family-friendly pubs:
- Do your homework to identify the perfect spot. Showing up to the nearest gastropub may not work out. Do some online research to find pubs which are kid-friendly and read reviews so you know that they keep the promises they make on their website.
- Uphold the one-bite rule – encourage your kids to try a little before turning their nose up at food.
- Avoid pubs packed with corporate-looking people. The staff will probably be too short of time (and patience) to serve families.
- Eat early – before the pub turns into an adult-only venue.
As parents and carers gather little ones and head down to their local restaurant or pub for a delicious, hearty, home-cooked lunch or supper, we encourage restaurant owners to welcome them with excellent kids’ menus and family-friendly service. Contact us to find out how we can help with our range of delicious and convenient food products.