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Kid friendly Dining

I will have my 5 and 7 year old niece and nephew over spring break. Where are some good places to take them to eat that has the usual child appealing fare. I'm not sure I am going to make the trip to Maryland for Rainforest Cafe, but are there any comparable places left in No Va? I'm looking for suggestions in Fairfax, Prince William and Eastern Loudoun Counties. Please, no fast food, remember *I* have to eat too!

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  1. It has been my experience that one of the easiest and most kid friendly ways to dine is to go to a Chinese restaurant. Not the "high end" formal ones, but the normal, family Chinese restaurant. First they tend to be fairly noisy, and two, there are lots of things that kids will eat that can come out quickly.

    1. For this I really like Mark's Duck House- I always see tons of kids in there. You might check out www.dcfoodies.com since Jason always rates things on "diaper" ratings to see how kid friendly a place might be.

      1. Hi,

        Just an FYI..there is a Rainforest Cafe in Tyson's Corner.

        2 Replies
        1. re: rHairing

          Are you sure? I thought Coastal Flats had taken over their space.

          1. re: rHairing

            Rainforest Cafe closed at Tysons a while ago.

          2. While I didn't love the food there, a lot of posters here like Lucky 3 for the dimsum buffet, and it would be a lot of fun for kids. A great way to expose them to different food, plus there is enough familiar type--eggrolls, chow mein, french fries (yeah, french fries), a decent size dessert buffet that they'll find things to eat.

            We like Sweetwater Tavern, Coastal Flats, and Mikes because they have a decent kids menu (regular food but it's better than other places). If they like Mexican food, my kids like Anita's.

            1. The Rainforest Cafe in Tysons closed a couple years ago.
              Coastal Flats did not take the space, since they are in the new wing, which was not there when the Rainforest Cafe was there. I don't know what took the old space.

              Agree, the entire Sweetwater chain is great for kids.