Macaroni Grill

My mom, Smalls, and I recently had a big day out: storytime at the library, then frozen yogurt, pop jets, and the carousel at Bridge Street, and a late lunch at Macaroni Grill. After pop jetting for the first time this summer (I know summer's almost over, we just didn't get to it until now), I understand now why, in the summer, the bathroom at Bridge Street always made me think of the changing room at Point Mallard waterpark--this is where we have to dry off and change our soggy kids after playing in the pop jets. It gets to smelling like pool water and wet children. Fortunately Smalls and I were the only ones changing in there at the time, or it could have gotten crowded.

Once Smalls was presentable, we went over to Macaroni Grill for lunch. Grandma just retired from 35 years of teaching and got a gift certificate as one of her retirement gifts and she shared it with Smalls and me (thank you!). It was fairly late, maybe 1:30 or 2:00, and it was a weekday, so it was very uncrowded. Smalls was presented with the kids' menu/activity sheet and crayons. When the waitress came over, she brought extra crayons, and Smalls proceeded to draw on the paper tablecloth. And that's ok. It's kind of the thing here. The servers must practice writing their names upside down so they can impress diners as they introduce themselves. I can write backwards cursive, but haven't perfected my upside down.

The waitress also brought Smalls a ball of raw dough to play with, which we've never gotten here before. I wonder if this is standard, or if they're being influenced by the dough ball policy at Pie in the Sky.

I like the kids' menu here. Smalls got macaroni and cheese on a previous visit, and she ate all of it, one noodle at a time, very slowly. This time she got pizza and ate one slice. It's a huge pizza, though. Beardy ate a slice later in the day, and I had a piece for breakfast the next day. Then Smalls had another piece for lunch. Really. It fed us for 2 days! Sort of. You also get good bread before the entrees come, so Smalls did fill up on that a little. Her milk came in a nice, sturdy plastic cup with a lid and straw.

The waitress drew a butterfly on the table, so Smalls did too.

I got the flatbread with roasted chicken and arugula, and it was served on an embarrassingly large platter. Actually the platter was the size and thickness of a boogie board, you know those ones that kids throw into the surf, then run and jump onto it. Then they either skim along the edge of the water on the board or they trip and fall dramatically. Anyway, that's what I ate my flatbread off of. I suggest you share it with someone else if you order it. It's good, though.


Toddler friendliness ratings:

Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 booster seats. I love drawing on the table--I mean, Smalls loves it. I think the atmosphere is a good mix of grown-up restaurant and kid-friendliness.

Food: 4.5 out of 5 booster seats.

Macaroni Grill
5901 University Drive NW
Huntsville, AL 35086
(256) 722-4770

Sunday-Thursday 11 AM - 10 PM
Friday and Saturday 11 AM - 11 PM

http://www.macaronigrill.com
Get all the Huntsville-specific info here (hours, address): http://www.macaronigrill.com/locations/1231


 

Backwoods Bistro

Uppies and Cuppies is on the road again, this time in Sopchoppy, Florida.

We spent a week at the beach at Alligator Point, Florida, and visited Backwoods Bistro in Sopchoppy two nights in a row (that has to be a hint to how much we enjoyed it). The first night, we ordered from the non-pizza menu (grilled cheese and sweet potato fries for Smalls), but we noticed that other diners' pizza looked and smelled really good. So we went back the next night and ordered pizza (crab cakes and hummus for appetizers), and it was great. We got the Greek pizza, and the Backwoods, which was pesto and chicken. Smalls loved the pizza, too. She also liked the ice cream that came with the churros Beardy and I shared for dessert. She also liked saying "Sopchoppy" and "S-O-Peeee... choppy."

The kids' menu has some pasta choices that sound good, in addition to grilled cheese and chicken fingers. The prices range from $4.95 - $6.95. The pizza is also really good ($15.50 for a medium), and you can choose your own toppings or choose one of their combinations. Check out the menu here: http://thebackwoodsbistro.com/menu/.

Bathroom report: The one one-room bathroom also seems like a storage room, but it's clean and big enough to change a diaper in. No changing table, though.

Toddler friendliness ratings:

Atmosphere: 4 out of 5. It's casual, and kids certainly seem welcome. No complaints, but nothing special. 

Food: 4 out of 5.

Backwoods Bistro

106 Municipal Avenue

Sopchoppy, FL 32358

850-962-2220

http://thebackwoodsbistro.com/

Hours:

Tuesday - Thursday 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday and Saturday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Famous Joe's Pizzeria

It was the week between Christmas and New Year’s and we were getting tired of holiday food—turkey, turkey curry, turkey and ham fried rice. So… pizza!
Beardy, Smalls, and I decided on Famous Joe’s Pizzeria on County Line Road in Madison. Apparently, Joe is famous. The restaurant’s Web site lists Joe’s awards and accolades, including being the Guinness world record holder for the highest pizza toss.