Photo by Lindsay Morris
If you’re fortunate enough to have raised a food-curious kid, you may be wondering what restaurants are best suited for the young and adventurous. On the East End, there are plenty of options for young foodies. Here are some of the best.
Yama-Q
If you have well behaved, sushi-obsessed kids, Bridgehampton’s Yama-Q is perfect for an expansive young palate. Offering everything from a red Thai curry stir-fry to Scottish salmon teriyaki to assorted sushi rolls and sashimi pieces, this is an intimate restaurant with an intimate menu, perfect for a family dinner. A series of specials, which include appetizers, entrees, and rolls, give this restaurant breadth and reach. If your kid’s the type to order the toro, well, this spot is probably for her.
Yama-Q, 2393 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, 631.537.0225, open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12 to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 12 to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., and Sundays, 5:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Noah’s
In Greenport, Noah Schwartz has curated a distinct following based on his seasonal American cuisine. Why is it perfect for equally inventive kids? Think portion sizes! Most of the restaurant’s dishes are served in petite sizes, from the introductory “tastes” (warm marinated olives, hummus, chicken liver mousse) to the grilled skewers (charred squid, shishito peppers, Korean barbecued chicken) to the aptly named “small plates” (curried cauliflower, smoked bluefish cake, cedar-roasted mixed mushrooms, Tasmanian red crab salad). Whether your child has a child-sized appetite or is interested in sampling through a wide array of dishes, Noah’s is the perfect place.
Noah’s, 136 Front Street, Greenport, 631.477.6720, open Mondays and Thursdays, 4 to 9 p.m., Fridays to Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Bobby Van’s
White tablecloths and hulking steaks? Sign me up, please. Bobby Van’s is a bona fide steak house with a staggering list of options for the burgeoning carnivore. Adventurous kids might seek out the grilled Spanish octopus or the clams casino, supplemented by an 18-ounce, bone-in sirloin, or a thick puck of Ahi tuna. Or get the porterhouse, and share with the rest of the table. You can let your young one order dessert, or, better yet, steer him toward the Nova Scotia lobster tail. Only the best for Junior, after all.
Bobby Van’s, 2393 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, 631.537.0590, open Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Greenport Harbor Brewery
Ever since Greg Ling departed Greenport’s Industry Standard in favor of Peconic’s Greenport Harbor Brewery (and restaurant), the menu has been full of fun and surprises. Added bonus for people with kids: The commodious space is accommodating to kids who just need a little bit of breathing room. As for the foodies among us, the fun, culturally inclusive menu stretches far beyond traditional beer eats. Shrimp wontons with garlic chili sauce are particularly delicious, as is the crispy yellowtail collar, but you probably shouldn’t leave without introducing that young, impressionable palate to chef Ling’s “Colonel Nguyen’s Fried Chicken,” which comes with fried rice, pickles, lime-pepper nuoc cham, and homemade sriracha. What better way to introduce your brood to the flavors of Southeast Asia?
Greenport Harbor Brewery, 42155 Main Road, Peconic, 631.477.1100, open Sunday to Thursday, 12 to 8 p.m., Friday to Saturday, 12 to 9 p.m.
Sen
We’ve covered sushi already, but what about superlative noodles? If your foodie tot finds herself drawn to far away cultures and out-of-the-ordinary foods, take her to Sen, and allow her to indulge in the culinary ecstasy that is the labor-intensive double pork ramen, toothsome noodles bobbing in a perfectly porcine tonkotsu broth. Jesse Matsuoka ensures that his chefs are up on the latest in Japanese cooking trends, often taking them to Japan to study with the masters during the offseason. And while there are plenty of delicious things to eat on Sen’s menu, the ramen is a particular feat, marrying complex flavors and impeccable technique. The only joy greater than slurping a bowl on your own is the joy f introducing the magic of great ramen to the next generation of eaters.
Sen, 23 Main Street, Sag Harbor, 631.725.1774, open for lunch Friday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., dinner Sunday to Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., Friday to Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m.
