With so many great restaurants in New York City, it took my husband and me a little time to warm up to the fact that we could no longer choose a restaurant without first taking into consideration our sugar packet-grabbing, fork-wielding toddler. I hate to have to admit it, but having access to phenomenal restaurants is one of the main reasons we live here. That said, I knew we had to find a grown-up restaurant that was kid-friendly, not the other way around. And, what I discovered while eating at Café Mogador is that you don’t need to give up on the experience of great food in a cool, happening restaurant while dining with kids. Whether it’s for brunch, lunch or dinner, plan to go early and you will find yourself surrounded by parents taking pride in the fact that they are not sitting in a Chuck E. Cheese, but rather in an East Village Moroccan haven joyously consuming olives, pita and hummus. In addition to the yummy appetizers, I highly recommend the fish tagine (traditional Moroccan stew) and the vegetable couscous. Also, don’t miss the Moroccan tea; it is a definite treat — super minty and sweet!

-Kristin