Usually when Cameron and I go out for lunch we end up at 67 Burger. I can’t deny that we both LOVE their food! Plus the staff is always so friendly. But mom and baby can not live on sweet potato fries and burgers alone, so I was in search of somewhere new. Celia, mom to Claire and fellow Brooklyn blogger (check out her site, Chic Squirt) recommended that I try Il Porto (37 Washington Ave Brooklyn, NY). I admit my husband and I order pizza delivery from there all the time, but I had never actually been to the restaurant.
Under the BQE and to Il Porto we go!
So, Cameron and I ventured over there one afternoon to check out the scene. They had plenty of room for my stroller, and also had a few high chairs. The wait staff was very friendly and made Cameron and I feel welcome. I ordered the gnocchi right away (per Celia’s recommendation). I also got some bread for Cameron to snack on. The pasta came quickly – and it was SO good! Cameron was suspicious at first (as always) but once he saw me enjoying it, he gave it a try. Success!
Cameron waits for his gnocchi. Also pictured Skip Hop Plate
So Fort Greene and Clinton Hill mommies (and daddies) if you are looking for something yummy for lunch, try Il Porto – and try the gnocchi – it’s perfect finger food for baby, and mighty tasty for you!
Want more info on Il Porto? Check out this Lunchtime with Tillie review from Clinton Hill Blog.
Cameron and I braved the snow and made a recent trip back to Washington, DC. Of course, while we were there we went to the Wilson Aquatic Center (3 times!) I learned a few new things I wanted to share.
Let's get this show on the road!
1)Babies are now required to wear swimsuits and swim diapers. We found this out the first day from one of the lifeguards. He allowed us to stay, but said we should get one for next time. We were able to find an ugly, but affordable swimsuit at Feline’s Basement in Mazza Gallerie. Problem solved!
2)The Women’s locker room – which has warmer showers than the family locker room, and is much bigger, and has a swim suit dryer – also has a diaper changing station. So if you feel more comfortable in there (I like it better, personally) try taking your little one to that locker room instead.
3)Be sure to bring lots of Quarters for the meters outside. If you don’t have any, you can park at the lot that services Whole Foods. If you get your ticket stamped it saves you a few bucks.
4)While getting my ticket stamped in Whole Foods (due to all the snow we couldn’t park on the street at a meter) I also got Cameron some lunch. They have a great salad bar, hot food bar, and soups. Cameron ate some squash soup, fresh mozzarella balls, peas, white beans, and pesto chicken salad. Yum! Upstairs they have a place you can sit and eat, which has 2 high chairs. Unfortunately I didn’t have my phone with me – so no pics – but believe me when I say, there are lots of choices for mom and baby, and plenty of seating too!
The other day I was hosting a playgroup at my house and one of the moms broke out some Snapea Crisps. The babies were in a frenzy! Cameron was double fisting them! I knew I had to find these Snapea Crisps, and fast. Fresh Direct came to my rescue, as usual. I ordered 2 bags right off the bat!
Yummy Yummy in Cameron's Tummy
Now, I know these aren’t the healthiest snacks on the planet (I think the Fig Newtons are a lot better) although the first ingredient is “peas.” But, sometimes it’s good to have a sure fire winner in your arsenal.
I got this idea for a breakfast treat from another mom who was feeding it to her 14 month old daughter:
Whole wheat toast with a little butter, and then some peanut butter. The butter helps it not be quite so thick and sticky. The warm toast melts the peanut butter nicely.
Cameron really enjoys it – and it’s a nice break from the morning waffle rut we had fallen into.
Lately Cameron has really been digging Applegate Farms Chicken Nuggets that I have been ordering from Fresh Direct. I know it’s not the healthiest thing on the planet, but at least the chicken has no Antibiotics, so I can feel a little bit good about that. Plus he is getting some protein! They are easy for him to mash up in his mouth, and easy for me to make. I throw a few in the microwave to defrost for a couple seconds (usually with some sweet potato fries) and then finish them off in the toaster oven.
Yummy Chicken Nuggets
It’s no secret that Cameron (and mom) love the sweet potato fries at 67 Burger here in Fort Greene. But we can’t be eating out there all the time, plus all that frying – though delicious – isn’t good for us. So I was trying to think of a way to make these at home, and make them a bit healthier too. Chatting with some moms one day at the park, I mentioned that I had bought some sweet potatoes that I was going to cut them up into sticks and bake in the oven. Someone commented that this was “awfully ambitious.” I thought to myself that they were right, and then a light bulb went off.
My husband and I order frozen fries all the time from Fresh Direct that we bake in the oven, and I knew there were sweet potato ones too made by the same brand – they are called Alexia Sweet Potato Julienne Fries with Sea Salt. I defrost them for a few seconds in the microwave and then finish heating them in the toaster oven. Cameron really loves them, and they are easy for me to make a few at a time.
Cameron isn’t exactly the world’s biggest eater, so I am always struggling to think of new things for him to try. Last week I ordered some Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars from Fresh Direct, and he loved them so much he ate the entire one AFTER eating a whole container of yogurt. For Cameron, this is a HUGE meal! After reading the ingredients list, I figured I should try and find a better option, so this week I ordered some Earth’s Best Organic Strawberry Banana Cereal Bars. Yum! They are a hit.
Yummy Yummy in Cameron's Tummy
I know that a baby eating scrambled eggs isn’t news to most of you, but I’ve been trying for months now to get Cameron to eat them, and after being encouraged by my string cheese victory, I tried them again with some eggs I picked up at the Fort Greene Farmer’s Market this past weekend – with success! It might help that Cameron’s nose is so stuffy he most likely can’t taste anything, but I’ll take what I can get! I am excited about the veggie hiding possibilities….
Eating out with a baby is never easy, per say, but this Skip Hop Mate plate certainly does help! I first saw Celia using it with her daughter Claire and knew I had to get one. I take it with me every time Cameron and I are eating out now. It sticks to the table well, and since the edges slope down, its harder for him to toss around than a regular plate. We even use it sometimes at home in his high chair. I got mine from Diapers.com (which by the way is having a huge site wide sale now.) Amazon has it too, so it depends where you are shopping and what else you are buying. Anyways, it’s a real help and I highly recommend it!
Skip Hop Mate comes in 3 colors - Blue, Orange, and Rasberry
Cameron in action
FYI, the Diapers.com site wide sale is on now thru November 12.
Awhile ago a few moms had suggested to me that I try string cheese as a finger food for Cameron because it was a really mild cheese. I bought some and gave it a try. On attempts 1 through 3 it was apparently so revolting that Cameron gagged and threw it up (along with whatever else was in his tummy). But the other day I tried it again and he seemed to love it! I have always heard that you should try to introduce food multiple times, but this was the first time I have had a failure turn into a success. So keep trying mommies! Eventually, it just might work….
