When you think of four-star dining, you probably think you need to leave the kids back at home, but one top name in the Chicago restaurant business is catering to its pint-sized clientele with a new program. 190 North's Doug Banks checked it out.
At Lincoln Park's Ambria the entire family can now enjoy fine dining. The Four-Star Kids Program lets your little ones eat like kings and even go behind the scenes to see how it's done.
"Well, it actually arose when we had a customer come in with their kids. They were eating dinner and our maitre'd decided once the parents were eating their entrees, that we'd bring the kids back and they'd do, kind of make their own desserts that night," said Christian Eckmann, Ambria Chef de Cuisine.
Five nights a week, children five years and older can get a little more hands-on with the whole high-end dining experience at Ambria.
It's a welcome surprise for parents like Michelle and Jack Olson, who had gotten used to getting a sitter before they could go out and enjoy a four-star dinner.
"Oh, it's impossible. I don't think we've been to a three or four star restaurant with kids, since we had them," said Michelle Olson, Jack and Lilly's mom.
Kids are more than welcome in the elegant dining room. They even have their own menu to choose from with Ambria specialties for the little ones, like steak and frites, fish and frites or chicken and frites. It begins with the whole family enjoying an appetizer course together.
"We feed the kids first. Once the kids are done and the parents are on their entrees, that's when our captain will come over to the table and take the kids back to the kitchen and we start our desert process," said Eckmann.
Mom and dad get some alone time while the kids head into the kitchen to work on a plate of chocolate concoctions with the restaurant's pastry chef, Michelle.
"They get to feel out some different berries, there are different sauces, powdered sugar and sprinkles. So, there's an array of things they can do. They just start putting everything together and you know some kids really get into it and don't want to leave. They'd spend the whole night back in that kitchen," said Eckmann.
"I'm just doing whatever pops into my mind," said Jack Olson, Jr., Four-Star Kids participant.
Then the young chefs get a couple of cool keepsakes from their time in Ambria's kitchen.
"We give them all chef's hats, you know that all of the cooks wear in the kitchen. We also take a picture of their pastry creation along with their experience here at Ambria," said Eckmann.
The kids then head back to the table to show off their handiwork to mom and dad.
For parents wanting to enjoy a night out on the town with the
kids in-tow, Ambria is the perfect place.
"I think not only do you have to look for a restaurant that has food that would be appealing to kids, the other problem or challenge is how to engage them through a long meal. So, it's just perfect that right when our entrees are served, the kids get to go make dessert and we get to finish up just the two of us. Its great!!
Ambria is hoping families get the message, you don't have to forego fine dining anymore.
"Our goal was to provide the experience to the families, to a lot of people to come on in to Ambria and have a four-star dining experience," said Eckmann.
Ambria offers the special experience to young diners Monday through Friday nights. Just
call ahead to arrange it!
For more information:
Ambria
2300 North Lincoln Park West
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 472-5959
