I have often wondered why, in a society of parents who are wait-listing their barely conceived children at private schools and enrolling toddlers in immersion language schools and advanced tap dancing, that we so neglect the education of the palette. America is fostering a culinary culture unmatched in our history and there is no reason to be ordering your kids mystery nuggets or plain pasta.
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Here in Central Oregon we have many, many options beyond over stimulation and bad burgers. Mediterranean and Middle Eastern options have become easy and kid friendly for open-minded parents. The happy hour at Merenda offers all sorts of Northern Italian/Southern French influenced dishes for cut-rate prices. Get there at 4:30pm, sit in the dining room and order off the bar menu. Kebaba has great Lebanese food and a relaxed atmosphere – especially in the summer months. I’ve yet to meet a kid that won’t eat hummus or falafel with a little tzaziki. Demetri’s has Greek food in a low-key atmosphere. Try the spanikopita to introduce them to spinach and finish off the meal with the baklava – a kid favorite.
Getting beyond Chinese fried rice is also getting easier and easier. Sumi’s Japanese Restaurant is the perfect place to introduce your kids to sushi (they can even choose the ingredients), tofu, and vegetables that you may not commonly serve at home. Tempura, sunomono and moyashi salad are mild and flavorful and beat French fries dipped in ranch dressing any day. Also Sumi’s has udon, ramen and yakisoba – basically pasta with different sauce or broth – that are always a hit. Since Thai food has a tendency to have some spice, make sure you order something mild – tom kai gai and paht thai are good bets as well as some of the stir-fry dishes. Toomies and Thai on the Fly are good bets. Soba Noodles is ideal for kids with room to roam and lots of mild noodle and rice dishes to mix it up.
Bottom line: your kids will eat what you eat. If you vary the menu for yourself as well as your kids, you and your children will become healthier and hopefully avert inclusion in those scary obesity statistics. The bonus is an educated culinary palette, and someday your children will thank you. – Laurie J. Rice
This article appears in May 22-28, 2008.
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I hate to vehemently disagree here, but you are wrong on just about every count.
This area has ONE “Greek” restaurant…and it’s not Greek. It’s alright, but it’s hardly authentic.
Middle Eastern? Again, one choice: Kebabas. With a very limited menu selection and food that is, frankly, substandard.
Mediterranean? Again, ONE choice. And it’s not only overpriced, but the service is spotty.
One Indian restaurant. Not a single wrap joint (and no, the Papaya’s cart that rolls around downtown doesn’t count). Ethiopian? Forget it. Authentic Japanese? Not in this town. Cajun? Fat chance. I’m told there’s a French restaurant, but I’ve not seen it. Not one decent chop house in the entire city. No authentic Italian. Subpar Chinese. No Russian, no Eastern European, no Cuban, no Spanish (though I’m told this is changing, heard there’s a tapas place coming to town). On and on it goes.
THe only high quality foods you really find out here are burger joints (which I admit are wonderful here), Mexican restaurants (ditto) and Americanized East Asian food. Maybe it’s the big city guy in me, but all in all I find the cuisine here more than sorely lacking.
I have to take issue with “In the Weeds” – there is some very good food in this town. I grew up here, but lived in “Big Cities” like ITW, and I am pleased that we have the food options available to us that we do. High end meals used to be found only at Pine Tavern, Beef & Brew, Cyrano’s, the Black Forest or maybe something fancy like Cinder’s or Le Bistro. Notice what is still here? Anyhow, we may not have “purist” ethnic cuisine required by someone with a palate as nice as ITW, but I can rattle off a dozen excellent meal spots within 30 minutes of my home.
Incidentally, I’m not sure I be recommending Sumi’s right now. Have you seen this?
http://lava5.deschutes.org/cdd/RestaurantInsp/index.cfm
Udon, Ramen and Soba are noodles, not “pasta with different sauces”.
Also, I’d have to agree with Foodie about the great selection of food we have here. Sure it’s not 100% authentic but I’ve yet to find an authentic Mexican place anywhere in the US. Well, maybe in San Diego 2 miles from the border.
And a note about Sumi’s.
That low rating was on 1/30/2008
The score was increased by almost 30 points 2 days later.
I’ve never had a problem there food wise, and the service can’t be beat. I also used to frequent when it was Kuishimbos downtown.