Delhi NCR has no dearth of restaurants. Every second day one hears of new places opening to serve a variety of cuisines to suit varied palates, fit different price points, restaurants that are perfect for date nights, casual get-togethers and uppity fine-dine options too. There are a few cafes that are well equipped for kids, especially toddlers, that offer a few games and even a kids' menu. But so far, a complete package for a family has been missing. When going out with kids under nine years of age, either parents need to compromise on the choice of food and settle for casual café fare, or kids are required to make do with dishes that are more suited for grown ups or pick from a limited choice of burger-pizza-kathi-fries kind of menu. Finally, now there is a restaurant that makes dining out as a family equally fun for the kids as well as their parents.
At little.BIG you'll realize that families with children are the core theme of the restaurant, rather than being an afterthought. From foam under the tables so that tiny tots don't bump their heads whilst playing peekaboo (as they often do!) to rounded corners to avoid accidents, much thought has gone into designing even the furniture. Some tables even have swings hanging from the ceiling for infants upto nine months and of course there are high chairs for older kids. But these high chairs are not run-of-the-mill variety. They have been custom-designed to not only look cool, but also suit different age groups. So, you can add/remove a cushion to achieve the proper height, and then there's a snug, foamed contraption that is ideal for kids around two years of age, in which they can be strapped up and yet feel all grown up seated in a big chair. {See picture to understand the various layers}.
Furthermore, centerpieces are little wooden toys to keep kids engaged and even cork coasters will keep young ones enthralled by placing them to make various designs. Finally, there is a largely, plastic-free playzone just across the restaurant. Specially trained staff will keep them busy when they get restless and the glass wall ensures that you can keep an eye on the kids while kicking back with your coffee or simply a book.
A restaurant can have all sorts of engaging elements, but at the end of the day, it has to be about the food. And in keeping with the concept, again, equal thought has been given to creating an exciting menu for kids as well as grown ups. However, this is the first time that you can pick from 3 different portion sizes to split across 3 age categories of kids.
For 6 months - 2 years: Do-It-Yourself bowls are great to create something that your toddler will be most comfortable having. Pick from the grain, fruit, vegetable and a home-style khichdi or porridge will be prepared according to your specification.
Perfect Portions: Most kids' menus are merely slightly smaller portions of a few dishes that you'll find in the main menu as well. Not at little.BIG! A special, extensive menu has been crafted for kids from appetisers to mains and desserts. If you're wondering what's special about that - plenty! Firstly, the sheer choice. From rainbow hummus to stingray idli, chicken souvlaki to lotus flour dumplings, your little gourmands will find the world on their plates. Secondly, the plating. Who doesn't like food that's appealing, but when barley amaranth arancini is plated as 'knots and crosses' even the fussiest of eaters will put their guard down and happily eat what's in front of them. Thirdly, portion sizes. Now this is the first time that the kids' menu is further split into three sizes - little, middle, big, suited for kids from 2-4 years, 4-6 years and 6-9 years, respectively. This clever sizing ensures minimum wastage as most kids are served as much as they can eat. And there's still more flexibility. "In case the middle portion is insufficient for your 4-6 year old, we serve an additional half portion, free of cost," says Aftab Sidhu, co-founder, little.BIG.
For Big People: Although you might be tempted to dig into the kids menu for all the delicious choice on offer, we assure you that you have even better options to pick from. Gochujang pork belly, miso glazed snapper, zucchini noodles with pesto, prawn teriyaki or Peruvian roast chicken is a far cry from boring café fare. You will usually find this kind of choice in a fancy restaurant, but here you can have it all in an environment that's very well suited for your younger ones too.
While it is great to have this fabulous place in Gurgaon, we would urge them to open another one in Delhi too - it'll rock!
little.BIG, 21, ground floor, Baani The Address, Sector 56, Gurgaon.
Timings: 10am to 10pm.
