The Porch on a Sunday Afternoon

Yes, that's a bird above his head.

Feeding the Lorikeets

IPA-hole and I were running around the city on a Sunday afternoon.  We took the kiddos to the aviary, which is always good fun.  If you've never been there, its great because all of the birds are free in the different rooms, so you're basically walking around in their world.  If you pay attention to the schedule, there are plenty of opportunities for the kids to do hands-on activities, mostly centered around feeding the birds.  Get in line early and buy the cup of nectar for $3 to feed the Lorikeets!  Yeah, I know, some of you think its creepy for birds to walk all over you, but c'mon, the kids think its great - these particular birds are very friendly.

Penguins!

We're getting hungry after all that bird-feeding and trying to think of a kid-friendly option while loading the car on the north side isn't coming easy.  I can think of a whole bunch of spots that I'd like to wander into, but with BigBrother and BabyGray in tow, ain't no way.  There was a time when they would eat whatever we put in front of them, but right now - as every parent dreads - they're in the (use your best child whiney voice) "I don't liiiiike it" phase where everything's taste value is based on how it looks to a 3 year old. And they're hungry and tired.  Awesome.  Find some pizza.  Fast.

Double Dip French Fries

Thank God for smart phones.  What we did before them, I can't recall - the dark ages.  The Porch at Schenley wins in a complex matix analysis of google searches, mental maps, urbanspoon app shaking, and that deck of cards that you could buy on living social a few months ago.  Yup, marketing works on me.

We walk in during that weird time between lunch and dinner.  Winning - there are other kids in the restaurant.  Losing - you can't get the dinner menu for another 40 minutes.  Pizza:  the goal is pizza, stay focused!  But pork belly, cassoulet, and truffle whipped potatoes...  ah, there's the kids' menu. 

To start:  Double Dip French  Fries (w/ parm, truffle oil, garlic aioli) & a Caesar salad

Bianca Pizza

IPA-hole: Beef Burger
Me: Bianca Pizza (Fig, goat cheese, truffle oil, arugula)
the Kids:  Pepperoni & Plain Pizza

Beef Burger

Our server is friendly, the atmosphere is light and airy. It really does feel like you could be sitting on someone's porch. The beer menu looks good - flights, floats - IPA-hole is satisfied, and with his burger & taters as well.  In his words, "simple, not over-engineered."  Everybody likes the fries and I think all fries should have truffle oil and then garlic aioli.  Kids are happy with pizza, not a tough crowd here.  I learned something new: I like figs, I like goat cheese, I like black truffle oil.  Please put them on a wood-fired pizza and we have a sweet and savory combination that just works.

It was a simple and casual meal, down to the lemonade.  The food was good, the restaurant itself was so bright and open, and everything was tasty.  I'll be honest, the big win here is the kids menu.  There aren't tons of choices that have great menus and kids menus.  I mean, my kids will order the cobia or lobster tails if offered, but sometimes I just want them have  pizza and lemonade.

 

Kid's Pizza

~ CDO