Diners for Whiners

Let’s play word association. We say: “restaurant”. You think: “Fun and delicious”.

No, of course you don’t. You’re a mother. You think “spilled drinks, restless children and wasted food”. So do we.

But thanks to your team of Vancouver SavvyScouts, that’s all about to change. Check out their recommendations for this city’s top spots to feed tots:

Koko Mama
This eatery is mom-designed and operated—need we say more? Just some of the family-friendly touches include a large play area, an extra-wide door for those double strollers, kiddie-sized bathroom fixtures and a big clock on the wall so you don’t miss preschool pick-up time.

For the wee ones: organic baby food ($1.50), grilled cheese sandwiches ($1.95), 75-cent cheese strings and more. And although our SavvyScout chose the grilled cheese and salad off the delectable adult menu, she couldn’t resist dipping into the kids’ blue-iced Fairy and Wizard cupcakes (yum yum).

You’ll feel so at home you might forget to go home—but never fear, if you’re running late for dinner prep you can grab one of the family-sized, homestyle meals from the Kokopelli freezer. We cooked up the hearty chicken pot pie ($18.95) and basked in our family’s approval.

Kokopelli Café, www.kokopellicafe.ca, 4593 Dunbar St. (at 29th) 604-228-0818

Rocky Mountain Pie
What’s so good about this spot? Just about everything, according to our scouts. The whole family will be drooling over the flatbread pizzas that are baked in the clay, wood-fired oven. The kids can watch the dinners being made, or spend their time in the play area. There are simple, kid-priced versions of the menu favourites, and lots of tastes to keep adult palates tantalized, too, from Sundried Tomato & Goat Cheese Pizza to the Herb Avocado Salad. And you’ll feel good knowing that the food is made with organic, locally farmed ingredients whenever possible—no trans fats, GMOs or additives allowed.

Head their way on Sunday and Monday nights from 5 p.m. on for Family Nights, when the kids can roll out and top their own pizza creations. Birthday party packages are offered as well—why not get the guests doing their own cooking for once?

Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company, 1876 West 1st (in Kitsilano) 604-730-0321 Open for lunch and dinner—call or see website for hours.

Over the Rainbow
Be the funnest mom on the block when you buy the bright rainbow bread from The Bakehouse in Edgemont Village. It might taste like white bread, but it’s not—each slice is a swirl of bright blue, red, orange and yellow. Bright not your style? There’s also a great breakfast and lunch menu with yummy soups, sandwiches and treats, and a kids’ breakfast special too.

The Bakehouse, 1050 West Queens Rd., North Vancouver 604-980-5554

And thank you to SavvySarah, who reminds Vancouver sushi lovers that dining in a restaurant’s tatami room gives your toddlers a bit of space in which to move around.

Now there’s nothing standing between you and your California rolls.