Calle Ocho050

Recommended by one of our alert parent users, Calle Ocho is, indeed, a wonderful, kid-friendly restaurant...first impressions to the contrary. No, there's no kids' menu, but if you ask the waiter, you'll learn that kids can order chicken nuggets or a pizza empanada; both come with fries, cost less than $10, and are delicious. Grown-up food is equally scrumptious, and more in line with typical nice restaurant/NYC prices - $20 and up for entrees. The Pan de Bono cheese bread basket is a good bet and a black bean/cilantro/garlic/olive oil dip can be ordered along with it, in place of butter. Butcher block paper covers the table, making an instant art space for the young diner who may be less than patiently waiting to be fed (ask for crayons). The dessert menu includes coconut ice cream in a chocolate shell, and domino dark chocolate cake which looks like actual dominos! For Sunday Brunch, the kids can choose from a menu that includes french toast, scrambled eggs, chicken tenders, and pizza empanadas. The adult menu tempts with options like coconut brioche french toast and fresh guava bread. High chairs and booster seats are available. The bathrooms, downstairs between the bar area and the restaurant proper, are reasonably clean; the ladies' room is much nicer, though.