If you're looking to get away from conglomerate bookstores and support your local commerce while visiting NYC - Bank Street Books by Columbia University has a quaint but sufficient children and young adult book selection. Another highlight is their reading room and play area for the 0-3 crowd. Take note that the store is in the basement so strollers are to be kept outside.

They have a decent foreign language book section from - Japanese, to Italian and everything inbetween. I personally prefer to get baby books from thrift stores because they are the books most frequently purchased and disguarded quickly. Look for keepsake books or hard to find titles!

Bring your own bag for any purchases !

Well, this is not an ideal place but heck the kids have fun. Here are my suggestions if you decide to go to ANY Chuck E. Cheese -

1. The more tokens you buy the more money you will save.
2. Bring your own utensils because their plastic ones go straight to a landfill after use.
3. Their drinks are far from being healthy - bring your own
4. As a matter of facts, if you want to save more money.....bring your own lunch because their menu is pretty gross.
5. Go on the earlier side when it does not get too busy.
6. Beware of shooting games

With that said, have fun for the sake of your kids!

So the food is not exactly European, whatever European is but the array of cuisine available is enough for anyone to find what they want. From their baked goods, salad bar, bagel/panini depot, grill and pizza/pasta section - you will find something healthy for you and the ankle biters.

Take note: if you have a stroller - they cannot accommodate the bulky strollers all the time but generally, you can shift the tables around if you need more space for your Buga-Benz.

There are two bathrooms - neither of them have changing tables but if you have one of those changing mats - it works well enough. High chairs are not available.

My peeve about this great spot is that they use mostly non recyclable eating supplies- from the styro plates, plastic salad "bowls", straight to landfill utensils, drinking cups.....at the least, they recycle the soda cans and bottles - as long as people remember to use the separate bins.

I refuse the plastic and ask for paper when possible. The workers there do not mind but tell them before they start packing your food.

I bring my arsenal of enviro -items - from tupperware containers, steel straws, personal utensils, cloth napkins, and drinking containers. Yes, I am that kind of person.

There are healthy items for the kids - and of course you can review their menu on line to familiarize yourself with what they offer.

Sun Chan reminds me of Japanese style tapas as they fire up the treats and roast the skewers on a coal grill. The serving size is small enough for folks to taste many dishes either for a small group or large group. It has since gone through some renovations and you will notice that they fill up quick, especially considering the size of the restaurant. Sun Chan is only open for dinner starting at 5:30pm. Go on the early side so they can accommodate groups. It is also child friendly. Give the Nayoga chicken wings a try, roasted garlic cloves, sweet potato tempura and chicken balls to name a few. I would not suggest take out, as the food is better experienced in the restaurant. On occasion the service is sub par but the food is well worth the wait. Bring chatty, interesting friends to pass the time. The restaurant is family-child friendly. High chairs are available. The bathroom is a bit tight. Go early to avoid the dinner rush hour. Don't forget your take out containers and bag for your leftovers.

I did not believe there could be a play area in a restaurant other than McCrappy's but during my visit to Seattle, WA my friends showed me otherwise! Of course, you hope that all the kids will play nice.
I am a hummus fanatic and have tried dozens. Vios by far had the most delectable and I could have had that for my meal. The Trio Sampler is worth getting to try out the dips. The Artisan Cheese and Wine Jam was a good starter as well. I ordered the loukanika Greek style "sausages" with minted yogurt and spicy tomato sauce, served with bulgar and sauteed Savoy cabbage and was full with satisfaction.

PS - Bring your own take home containers for those left overs - they make for great midnight snack!