Welcome back Oliveto

Have you poked your head in the doors of The Kingston Hotel lately? What a surprise. Oliveto is back, they have been serving up exquisite authentic Italian cuisine since before Christmas. We can finally get the famous wood over pizzas again too. The Tagliarie Board is great for sharing and a good opportunity for the kids to try some different foods. I love the new Frito Misto and my personal favourites are the Risi e Bisi or the Ossobuco for mains. There are children's options on the menu too if they are not that adventurous. The most difficult thing is to decide what to have for dessert they are all stunning.



Oliveto is filled with families over the weekend days, they just can’t keep them out it is spacious and welcoming. Oliveto is not only 'family friendly' but it is 'parent friendly' too. If you fancy a little quiet time on the rare occasions you can leave your little ones, pop over to their Library Bar. This ‘adult space’ provides a quiet, fresh space with an open fire and again that breath taking view. The staff serve up lovely coffee or you could try one of the cocktails from their newly launched Martini’s list. Whatever you order it is the place to go in Dun Laoghaire to have a chat with the girls or read a book without being interrupted by your own (or anyone else’s screaming children) it really is pure genius.

What a location. It is the only place in Dun Laoghaire that you can sit, eat, drink and take in the breath-taking views that are Dublin Bay. The renovations continue however the restaurant is looking amazing and the food and ambiance will keep you coming back time and time again.

Hope to see you there,

Love the Yummy Mummies and the Jetsetting Babies

Childrens Menu - Y
Baby Changing - Y
High Chairs - Y
Childrens Activities - Y (Colouring)

Slurp it... new review for the Giddy Goose

The Giddy Goose Cafe was the first review we ever posted back in January '11, having recently read the review I have realised as our blog is not the only thing to have grown. The Giddy Goose was relatively new itself back then and it really seems to have completely found its feet this last few months. So here is a new review, a little more up to date and fitting to the Giddy Goose today...

This week the Giddy Goose is participating in Soup for Life - National Soup Week.

Soup for Life is a fun and positive campaign which urges everyone to sip some soup!
For every bowl of soup sold in the Giddy Goose this week, a donation of €1 will be made to Gorta

Donations will help the poorest families in Uganda secure a better future. The money raised will provide seeds, tools, livestock and training on nutrition and food security.

Good on ya Giddy Goose and I urge everyone to get down and support this campaign. Now for our review...


THE GIDDY GOOSE CAFÉ

A :     138-139 Lower Georges Street
          Dun Laoghaire

T :    (01) 2148634

The Giddy Goose... we go back to again and again, baby friendly you ask? Well Yes! How friendly you ask, well honestly you can't get much better. The staff are brilliant and the service is really fresh and friendly, there is always a helping hand with your buggie or baby. The coffee is consistently good (it is what has always kept me returning to the GG.) There are a couple of high chairs for the littlest ones and for slightly older kids with better dexterity and larger appetites the Giddy Goose has all sorts of treats from colouring pencils and toys for entertainment to delicious kids options on the menu. They even sell babychinos to complete the cafe experience for the youngsters. Ame loves the ginger bread men, pretty much for the tiny chocolate buttons. Beware it can get super busy on the weekends so it makes a little squishy for too many buggies! I can't say much about the food as I always order the same thing, very tasty eggs Florentine with a side of sauteed mushrooms and a sausage to share with Ame. The pastries are fresh daily and there are always very tasty homemade cakes in the counter. Overall we go back again and again because it is a lovely little place with a lot of character and a nice buzz to it for Yummy Mummy and Jetsetting Baby alike.

High chairs Y – 2

Baby Changing Y

Children’s Menu Y

Children’s Activities Y

Colouring, Puzzles, Blocks

Love Angi x

Review # 21 - Yo Sushi, Dundrum

Yo Sushi – Dundrum Shopping Centre

A: Level 1, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 14

T: 01 298 9789

W: http://www.yosushi.ie/

I’m off to Dundrum today and you can be sure that I will pop into Yo Sushi for a snack. I just love Sushi and remember the first time my Aunty took me for sushi when I was quite a young child, I was so excited to be trying something so new and exciting. I am baby free today but my husband and I have taken little monkey there on many an occasion and she absolutely loves it. The first time we went there I was really unsure if there would be much for Amelie to eat but I was delighted at the choice. The novelty of the sushi train was brilliant Amelie would peer in the bowls and choose something she wanted to try. I initially ordered a plain rice for her as she usually loves rice but because there was so many colourful interesting looking things to put in to her moth she wouldn’t even look at the rice. She learnt how to suck up noodles and even tried to use chopsticks. There are always children of all ages there and I am so impressed the variety of food that they are eating from hot dishes to sushi and sashimi to tempura and spicy seaweed salads. Giving your children a variety of tastes, textures and flavours really develops their palate. Yo Sushi is such a fun way to entice your little ones to try something different. The is a lovely little fruit dish too with melons and grapes for them to have as a healthy dessert.

There are several highchairs available but we find sitting Amelie next to us in one of the booths is most fun, she can watch the Sushi train go by and feel like she is a big girl. When she is done eating, and we are not the colourful bowls provide a little entertainment. The staffs are amazingly friendly and used to the mess left behind by giggling and excited toddlers. The changing facilities in Dundrum Town Centre are some of the best around and there are feeding areas if you are nursing. On each table there is filtered water which is great because you don’t have to spend a fortune on drinks, however the bill is usually pretty pricey for a lunch or a snack, but well worth the fun that goes with it. If you don’t want to get carried away plan what you are going to get before you start grabbing everything that looks good as it goes past, that mountain of bowls can add up.

If you are looking for a bit of fun and an opportunity to give your children a cultural food experience Yo Sushi is such a great place to start. If you are out in Dundrum there is plenty of great shopping and be sure to pick up a copy of Irish Parent the free parenting magazine available all around the centre.

High Chairs – Y x 4

Children’s Menu – Y

Changing Facilities – Y in the centre

Activities - N

Review # 20 Tram Yard Cafe, Dalkey

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I am a little late with the review this week. With Tara so busy moving to London town I should be keeping up the blog but I have been a little slack, too busy missing her I'd say :) All this college work is building up too, if you don't know I have returned to college study Early Childhood Development so should have plenty to blog about in the near future, if I ever get a free moment. Enjoy this weeks review and start getting excited about some post from London coming soon.

The Tram Yard Cafe

A: Castle Street, Dalkey, County Dublin

O: Mon~Sun 9am~6pm

This stunning little café and gift shop in Dalkey is just off the main street in the old Dalkey Tram Yard, hence the name. The interior of the café is clean, vibrant and oh so pretty with my favorite Cath Kidson patterns adoring the tables, wares and even the staff in the form of pretty aprons. The decking for sitting out is in my opinion the best part of the café and there is a lovely casual but cool atmosphere that is enjoyed by an eclectic mix of people.

I tried a quiche which was served with a side salad and crisps and my friend ate from the outdoor barbecue being cooked right by our table. I am not sure if there is a specific children’s menu I was enjoying myself too much to stop and ask but there is a full sandwich bar so you will find something tasty for your littlen’s. We both had a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc and were lucky enough to be get some sunshine and free live jazz music to top off the experience.

Of course none of this would have been as enjoyable as it was if Amelie had not been content the whole time we were there. We were provided with a high chair and she happily sat nibbling in my quiche and sipping her water bottle just watching all that was going on around her. We were there for quite some time and when she got  a little restless in the high chair I was able to take her out and let her have a wander around as there is plenty of space. She amused herself with going up and down the step, oohing at the dogs that were constantly passing and having a little bop to the Jazz music.

Amelie relaxing at the Tram Yard Cafe

The changing facilities were lovely, staff very accommodating and overall the place exudes child friendly. On Saturdays there is a farmers market held in the tram year and I have heard whispers of a fantastic local artist about open a shop selling his hand made silver jewellery, very excited. We will be back without question to shop, eat drink and relax!

To read more reviews by the Jetsetting Babies pop over to our Review Page and if you want to share your favourite family friendly place with us contribute a review of your own, visit our Contribute Page for more information.

You might also like the blog... "Book Festivals, Live Outdoor Jazz, and a Creative Re-use"

Love the Yummy Mummies and the Jetsetting Babies xxx

Review #16 - Marryatville Hotel, Adeliade Australia

Hi Everyone, here is the review for this week. Our competition searching for your best travel tips is up and running. You could win a €150 prize for Studioworks Photography in Dalkey to capture some special relaxed family shots. For details on how to win read the blog 'Studioworks Photography Competition' and for more information on Studioworks Photography check out the blog 'Studioworks Photography.' Now, on to this weeks review...

This week I was inspired by our review contribution from Liz in Nashville, Tennessee and Tara’s reviews from her travels I wanted to bring you a review from somewhere a little more exciting too. I thought back to my trip to Australia and remembered a great place that I went with my family and a load of kids. As a special treat I have also done a write up on the Adelaide Zoo, it is a wonderful Zoo to visit with your children, not as packed with tourists as the bigger capital city Zoo's and just one of many reasons Adelaide should be on your list of places to visit on your Australian holiday....

The Marryatville Hotel

A: 239 Kensington Road, Kensington, South Australia

T: +61 8 8333 2242

E: enquiries@ marryatvillehotel.com.au

W: www.marryatvillehotel.com.au

The Marryativille Hotel screams family friendly and if you want to share a great meal with excellent pub food this is the place to go. It is located about 10 minutes out of the city and has a modern bistro bar and an undercover outdoor dining area which includes a huge children’s play area.

The menu is packed with all your typical Australian Pub grub; you will find great steaks, seafood and of course my favourite the unbeatable chicken parmy! With special plastic cups decorated with Australian native animals for the kids, an extensive kids menu and an ice cream bar your children will be in heaven. They will also be exhausted and ready for naps by the time you leave. The service is genuinely friendly. All the staff were very attentive and patient. We were a large group with loads of kids and it did not faze them one bit.

If the weather is lovely as it mostly is in Adelaide sitting outside is definitely your best option. The undercover area also has heaters for when it gets a bit cool. As you sit and enjoy your meal you can watch your children dart around the huge playground, it will really tire them out. For older children there are some free video games too. I had a lovely day here with my family I hope that you do too.

High chairs - Y

Baby Changing - Y

Children’s Menu - Y

Kids Activities - Y

Read other reviews by the Yummy Mummies and the Jetsetting babies by visiting our Review Page, or if you wish to contribute a review visit our Contribution Page for more information.

Have a lovely weekend

Love the Yummy Mummies and The Jetsetting Babies

xxx

Choosing a baby friendly airline

Hello Everyone,

One of our facebook friends recently left us this post...

Hi everybody,
did anyone make good or bad experiences when flying with your baby with Ryanair?
...Thanks,
Regina

So I did a little research and wanted to share with you a few things you should be aware of when choosing your airline. I haven't covered all the airlines... yet, but here are a few to get you started. I discovered that in the 2010 Holiday Extras.com Customer Awards Swiss air was voted as most recommended airline for travelling with babies, with Aer Lingus winning the coveted award in 2009. We have done posts in the past with travel tips for mothers travelling to Australia so be sure to check out our travel page before you jet off...

Swiss Air

Ryan Air
- Has baby changing facilities
- For most flight allows pushchairs to be taken to the aircraft door but you should check conditions
- Does not have a specialised baby and child menu but various snacks are available
- Does not heat baby food or formula milk
- Does not provide any free activities to keep your children entertained during the flight

Aer Lingus

- Has baby changing facilities
- Pushchairs must be checked in but can be delivered to you at the gate
- Has specialised children's menu that can be ordered through the reservations office
- Food and bottle warming facilities are on board and the cabin crew will do this for you- Travel cots are available for long haul flights

Qantas

- Has baby changing facilities
- Pushchairs must be checked in but can be delivered to you at the gate
- Has specialised children's, toddler and baby meals that can be ordered when booking your flight
- Food and bottle warming facilities are on board and the cabin crew will do this for you
- Travel bassinets can be reserved when booking your flights- The aircraft has a limited supply of nappies and baby wipes for all those emergencies
- Complimentary kid's kits are available for your children's in flight entertainment

Emirates
 - Has baby changing facilities
- Pushchairs may be carried on board
- Has specialised children's, toddler and baby meals that can be ordered when booking your flight
- Food and bottle warming facilities are on board and the cabin crew will do this for you
- Travel bassinets can be reserved when booking your flights
- The aircraft has a limited supply of nappies and baby wipes for all those emergencies
- Complimentary kid's kits are available for your children's in flight entertainment

Hope you find this helpful, for more helpful travel tips pop over to our travel page.


Angi , Tara and the Jetsetting Babies

xxx

Imaginosity Children's Museum

Hi Everyone,

Firstly we would like to extend our thanks to all the mothers out there that recommended we visit Imaginosity Children's Museum with our families. We had some very fun days out there and now we want to pass it on to mothers everywhere! While the weather has been lovely lately and we have been spending most of our time out doors, this is Dublin and we all know we need something up our sleeve for those rainy days. I know where I will be the next time it clouds over and Amelie is dying to get out of the house. I really find Amelie is so much happier and most importantly sleeps so much better if she has been out and about running around and getting exhausted. Imaginosty is ideal for this full of activities and fun for children of all ages.

Imaginosity is a wonderful, non-for-profit children's 'creative space.' The museum, or more appropriately called Imaginosity is set over three floors and incorporates so many different aspects of life in to one big play area for children to get creative, use their imaginations and learn. There are so many different real life sets, complete with dress ups and props that it has almost to be seen to be believed. A supermarket, diner, building site, movie set, dolls house city and even a doctors surgery are amongst the different areas for the children to explore.

The cafe/restaurant attached is a great escape for parents to grab a quick coffee or snack while the children play. If you can eat before you go as the food was the only let down of the day. While the portions were large the food did not seem as fresh as it could be and I found my roast vegetable pannini very oily. While the portions were huge we were not overly impressed. The cakes and buns looked great though and there coffee was grand.




Imaginosity can suit babies, toddlers and children of all ages. I think my husband and I were having just as much fun as Amelie. I have been told that it can get very busy. We went mid week and while there were 80 school children booked in and tearing around while we were there the place is plenty big enough to cope with such large numbers. Tara visited with Andrew and Dylan on a Sunday afternoon and found it a really quiet time to pop in. On each floor there is a designated baby and toddler area for small children under the ages of two which the older children are not allowed to go. Amelie marvelled at the live fish swimming before her eyes, enjoyed planting vegetables in the garden and picking apples from the fruit tree. She also loved cooking up a storm in the kitchen area of one of baby and toddler areas. Tara said Dylan's favourite was the building site and he just loved playing with the bricks.

For more ideas and a listing of up and coming events for familes visit our Events Page

Visit the webiste for bookings and more information www.imaginosity.ie

Here are some phot's of us and the babies having a great  time on our visitis to imaginosity...

Review # 12 - Eagans Bar & Restaurant

Eagans Bar & Restaurant

A:  Main Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laoise
T: +353 (0)57866754

We have a lot of family in Tipperary and decided a road trip would be an exciting way to celebrate St. Patricks Day. I am sure that my husband was just looking for any excuse not to have to brave the crowds in Dublin to see the parade, I dont blame him. We loaded up the car for the relatively short journey to along motorway. We decided to leave early during Amelie’s morning nap time and stop somewhere mid-way for lunch. Portlaoise was the perfect place and my husband remembered a little place that he had spent time with his family when he was younger. It was very sweet that he wanted to share this with us too. We walked down the busy main street and found an old looking bar and restaurant called Eagans. It was your average looking pub from the outside with not much to distinguish it from other pubs on the street but there were a few pleasant surprises on the inside. 

The space was used really well, I often find old Irish Pubs and Restaurants can be very poorly lit and while they are super cosy in the winter I tend to avoid them in the sunshine. Though in Eagans the use of sky lights, mirrors and large bay windows really lit up the pub and let the sun in. Amelie particularly enjoyed that murals dotted all over the walls painted by artist Naomi Heather. We found a sunny spot in one of the front windows. There were plenty of highchairs to go around and we were not the only ones there that day with a toddler, there were at least eight children of varying ages dotted about the place. We had vegetable soups and fed Amelie her lunch. I also got a coffee, to be honest I was not expecting the world from the looks of the coffee machine but that will teach me to be judgemental because it was great.

 

The place was totally baby friendly with at least 5 highchairs, several of which were in use while we were there. There were spotlessly clean and spacious changing facilities. There is endless space to park buggies and for a pub that has maintained its old school 'Irish Pub' charm it has modern facilities and great lighting. If your adventures take you through Port Laoishe, Eagans is a must for an enjoyable and ralaxed family meal.

Baby Changin - Y

Highchairs - Yx5

Kids Menu - Y

Childrens Activities - Y

Read more reviews by the Yummy Mummies and The Jetsetting Babies

Contribute a review of your favourite baby friendly venue anywhere in the world

Kudos to an inspirational Earth Mother!

I try to live an eco-conscious life but really I am no saint when it comes to the environment and I have to be honest and say there are a load of products in my home that I either don’t need or could replace with a simpler more eco-friendly option (It is a constant challenge) I try not to lose any sleep over this but focus my energy on doing anything I can, when I can, no matter how small to help reduce the environmental impact I have on this world.  

It really does excite me when I find something simple that is not only within my budget but easily obtained that can substitute for a less eco-friendly option.   What is even better is when it is a local Irish Mum who has managed to make this happen and is trying to make the world a better place in her own way. I was so impressed with the Earth Mother stall at the Peas and Pods Market I had to make a few purchases, and after visiting their web-site I knew I had to share it with all of you.

At the markets I bought five packets of the Earth Friendly Biodegradable Nappy Sacks. Living in an apartment I can’t just pop outside to the bins to dispose of Amelie’s nappies (I would have to go down in the lift through five different doors and in to the basement) which is not always a problem especially with wet nappies but sometime they are just too smelly not to wrap up. Now I do not have to feel guilty about wrapping those really nasty nappies. They are 100% biodegradable and will totally degrade with no harmful residues. At only €2.25 for a pack of 50 you can't go wrong, they are pretty large too I can fit two or three dirty nappies per bag. What a great product!

The website has an endless list of products many of which we have mentioned on this blog in the past (ecovoer and teetha to name a few.)  What is more is it comes with a guarantee that if you find the product cheaper somewhere else they will match the price. You cannot go wrong!

A big kudos to Siobhan and Chris Elsom for an amazing web-site bringing families amazing products and generally just making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside that there are some people out there who are really doing their bit to help the world! visit their site http://www.earthmother.ie/

Contribute Form

Every day spent with your children should be filled with happiness and excitement. We want to help! Whether you are staying close to home or venturing to the far and exotic corners of the world we want to help you know where you can eat, play and explore with children of all ages without having to worry where you will change your little one, whether you will have enough room to park your twin buggies or if there is going to be healthy nutritious food for you to feed you family.

 

Help Tara, Angi and the Jetsetting Babies help mothers from all corners of the globe explore the world without worry. Do you have a great restaurant, café, playground or event you have shared with your families? Want to share your experiences with other Mums so they can have as much fun as you did? Fill in the details below and e-mail it back to us.


We will post a review on our blog with everything you send us. We will include a photo that you provide with your children and your name at the top of the blog to give you the recognition you deserve for providing us with the information. (If you wish to remain anonymous that is fine also). Copy the form below or drop us an e-mail at jetsettingbabies@gmail.com and we will send you a copy in word format. Try to fill in all the questions but if you don’t have all the answers no need to worry just leave it blank.

 

ABOUT YOU
Name:
Your Children’s Names and Ages
Blog/Website
E-Mail:

REVIEW INFORMATION
Venue/Event/Activity name:
Address:
Phone Number:
E-Mail:
Web-site:
Opening Hours:
Are there highchairs available? If yes how many?	Y	N
Are there changing facilities?	Y	N
Is there a children’s menu?	Y	N
Is there ample space to park prams/buggies/strollers?	Y	N
Rate the service out of 10 with 1 being poor and 10 being excellent	1      2      3      4      5      6      7      8      9      10
Rate the food out of 10 with 1 being poor and 10 being excellent	1      2      3      4      5      6      7      8      9      10

Tell us a little about your experience:

(Feel free to include anything you liked or disliked about any aspect of your experience?)

Please attach some photos for us to include in the blog (Optional) Please, don’t forget to attach a photo of yourself with your child/ren so we can give you the credit)

All information given above will be used in a blog at http://jetsettingbabies.blogspot.com if you do not wish this information to be published on this site do not fill in the field.

Want to see an example of how your contribution might look on our blog visit:

Review #14 - Suzy Wongs House of Yum, Nashville Tennessee

We can't wait to hear from you!

Love The Yummy Mummies & The Jetsetting Babies

xxx

Review # 8 - Gallery.net Cafe - Dundrum

Hello all, here we are again with another cafe review for you. Hope you have all been enjoying special times with your familes, we would love to hear about your favourite family friendly venues and events in your area, where ever you may be, drop us an email at jetsettingbabies@gmail.com

Gallery.net Cafe

Dundrum Shopping Centre

A: Sandyford Rd, Dundrum, D16

T: 01 299 1700

E: n/a

W: www.dundrum.ie

After a busy day shopping in Dundrum there endless places to choose from when the time comes for lunch. We hope to review them all in time and let you know which we find the best if you have your babies and toddlers with you. We will begin with Gallery.net Café, it is a small little bagel bar located on the Gallery Floor. The free wifi access is obviously appealing to students and business people so we were not sure how this place would fare on baby friendliness if it was not really the clientele they were aiming at. I can hardly imagine Amelie being patient enough for me to update the blog over lunch.

Let begin by saying the staff at this café were very attentive, friendly and able to stay on top of the busy lunch time rush. We ordered sandwiches, drinks and some fruit for Amelie. I was excited that they sold one of my favourite drinks… Feel Good orange and cranberry water, it is delicious and packed full of vitamins and minerals that give you a real energy boost. The sandwiches were fine at best, my husband leaving half of his as he just lost interest and thought the bread was slightly stale, we probably should have gone for bagels instead. The fillings in my sandwich seemed fresh and the salad crisp, again the bread was slightly stale so I would try a bagel the next time.

As we were not quite full from our less than amazing sandwiches we decided to have something sweet to cheer us up. The coffee and cake deal for €3.95 was too good to pass up and certainly made up for the sandwiches. The coffee was good and the cakes were nice, run of the mill nothing too special but nice. By this stage Amelie had made a huge mess with her fruit and was now getting fidgety, we paid the bill which was very modest and left feeling satisfied from the desserts. We look forward to visiting some of Dundrum's other cafes soon, and of course sharing our experiences with you.

Baby Changing - Y

Highchairs - Y

Kids Menu - N

Children's Activities - N

The Gallery.net Cafe did not have any chidlrens activities however Dundrum Shopping Cetre is packed to the brim with things for baies, toddlers, children of all ages and of course their parents. More info to come soon.

Love The Yummy Mummies and The Jetsetting Babies

xxx