AFL star Marc Murphy and wife Jessie serve their son ‘adult food’ as more Australian parents want kids at fine dining restaurants
Some of Melbourne’s popular fine dining restaurants are opening up their doors to children, as a majority of parents like Carlton player Marc Murphy and his wife Jessie are introducing their kids to adult food.
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Exclusive: Some of Australia’s popular fine dining restaurants are opening up their doors to children, after a majority of parents have said they want to expose their kids to adult food.
New research from Hot Wheels in partnership with YouGov Galaxy obtained by News Corp revealed 65 per cent of parents would love to take their kids to a fancier restaurant — but are too nervous.
The data, which surveyed more than 1000 parents with kids aged between 3-12, found 46 per cent would feel anxious about how their children would behave and 37 per cent say they would feel insecure about other diners judging them.
Four in 10 parents said the “electronic babysitter” (smartphones, tablets and gaming devices) is the most effective solution for entertaining them.
But 30 per cent said a colouring-in book was their distraction of choice, followed by a toy (19 per cent).
Most parents said they eat out at casually dine at restaurants, cafes or fast food outlets between three to four times a month.
NSW parents (49 per cent) were more likely than those in Queensland (38 per cent) to say having a dedicated family section or reserved family time in a restaurant would make the challenge of eating out less stressful.
In Victoria, 33 per cent of parents said a venue with comfortable seating for children and adjustable high chairs help them the most when dining out.
Melbourne chefs Charlie Carrington from Atlas Dining, Coskun Uysal of Tulum fame and Guy Stanaway from Jackalope Hotel have now teamed up to create family dining in their restaurants for the first time.
Each chef, whose restaurant is currently ranked in delicious.com.au’s top 100 list in Victoria, are calling on their Australian peers to follow suit.
They are all putting on a special Hot Wheels menu at their restaurants from tomorrow, which involves a special place mat featuring a racetrack inspired by the restaurant. They will also provide toy cars kids can play with on their tables.
Mr Carrington is also offering a kids degustation menu to give families a chance to dine in a way he never had while growing up.
“Here at Atlas, we’re exploring the tastes of Lebanon,” he said.
“The Lebanese are extremely family-oriented, and their cuisine is purposefully made to be shared and enjoyed in groups.
“It wasn’t until I grew older that I began to experience real food, and the true Melbourne dining scene.”
Mr Uysal said although his Turkish dishes are more refined at Tulum, they still hold the same love and passion his mother put into her food.
He will also be making dishes more suitable to children.
“This Easter, I want them (parents) to feel comfortable bringing their children in,” he said. “And to encourage good behaviour of children.”
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Mr Stanaway, who has a special kids menu option at Rare Hare, said: “We’ve got two young, fairly boisterous kids and getting out to eat as a family is important to me, despite the challenges of dining.
“As a dad and chef, I love this initiative, it’s a unique, interactive and engaging alternative to colouring.”
AFL player Marc Murphy and his wife Jessie want to take their son Max, 2, where they like to eat out.
The Carlton veteran and gun midfielder told News Corp Max likes his avocado for breakfast, and pasta for dinner.
“It’s good we can expose him to different options, so (hot) chips are not the be-all and end-all, Jessie cooks too, but he likes what we eat,” he said.
“When we are out we don’t use the kids menu, we order another main and he can pick at our food.”
Murphy said they wouldn’t want to interrupt other people’s meals if they went out to a fine dining restaurant, and they always sit at a table that is not too close to others.
“We look to have our own area, like a booth, where Max can play with cars or colour in, that’s important as we don’t want to rely in screens to entertain him,” he said.
“We live in the city and love being around cafes and restaurants and want him to get used to it.”
Originally published as AFL star Marc Murphy and wife Jessie serve their son ‘adult food’ as more Australian parents want kids at fine dining restaurants
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