Can't decide where to go so you can enjoy a coffee or a spot of lunch without feeling that you're in the way? My website will hopefully help with that decision. I review coffee shops and restaurants and anywhere else I think parents might be interested in.
Each coffee shop/cafe/restaurant will be marked on the following.
1. Access in and around the premises with a pushchair.
2. Do you feel welcome? Is the staff helpful?
3. Cleanliness of baby changing facilities.
4. High chairs and other children’s facilities (i.e. play area)
5. Coffee & Cakes, children’s menu and price.
Over the bank holiday we decided to take the train to Portsmouth. We have a direct route that only takes about an hour and 20 minutes. Henry seems to enjoy his trips on the trains. After a pleasant journey we arrived at our destination. Just a short walk from the station we arrived at the shopping precinct. There are shops to suit all pockets, deep or sown up!
Another reason for going there was to have a walk around the harbour area and to see the Spinnaker Tower a recent addition to the sky line of Portsmouth. We wandered around looking at the boats for a good hour to allow Henry his morning nap.
It was soon time to decide where we should have lunch, there are many places to chose from. Craig fancied a grill as we have been to a number of Italian restaurants recently. We found Tootsies, the menu was appealing, the staff found us a good table with plenty of space. The high chair was an extension to a normal chair which enabled Henry to sit closer to the table to eat his lunch.
After lunch it was time for the usual clean-ups. The baby changing room was in the disabled toilet, the area was nice and clean.
Our visit to this part of Portsmouth will definitely encourage us to visit again. We had a great family day out!
Over all I give Tootsies 4.5* out of a possible 5
Access: Very good, but not sure how we would have got on if Henry was still little and needed to be left in his pram. There wasn't much room around the table so we had to leave the push chair by the door.
Welcome: Very good, friendly service.
Cleanliness: Average, clean facilities.
High Chair: Great, I love it when Henry can sit right up to the table.
Coffee & Cake: Kind of slacking here, we did not try any as we fancied an icecream which we didn't get in the end!
Henry and I met up with one of his girl friends last week in Basingstoke. We went by train as it is a direct route from Salisbury. The journey did not take that long and when you arrive at Basingstoke train station the shopping area is within a 2 minutes walk. Perfect!
After a stroll around the shops it was suggested that we go for lunch at Wagamama, I jumped at the opportunity, I love noodle soup.
The welcome we recieved was fabulous, the waitress took us to our table which had enough room behind for our push chairs and asked if we would like high chairs. Yes we needed two.
I have heard about the Phil & Teds high chairs but never seen or used one. They are very good, they just attached to the table and the babies sit comfortably inside at the table the same hight as other diners. Henry was very happy! Only one snag, I put Henry on my right side rather than my left so it was a little uncomfortable when feeding him his lunch.
We had a lovely relaxing lunch, we did not feel rushed and both babies got lots of attention from the staff and diners. Henry seems to charm every female within his sights.
Over all I give Wagamama 4.5* out of a possble 5.
Access: Extremely good, plenty of room inside to get the push chair in before being shown to your table.
Welcome: Fabulous - excellent service
Cleanliness: Tables and surrounding areas are very clean. The baby changing facilities are in the disabled toliet. There is plenty of room and it is all very clean.
High Chairs: Very modern and trendy.
Coffee & Cake: On this occasion I did not have either a coffee or a desert, but I would recommend the soya beans!
Thank you for a lovely day out Alexa and Nola.
