Sydney Ng

Latest posts by Sydney Ng

Prince Tea House Arrives in Astoria for Fancy Family Eats

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Thu, 03/01/2018 - 10:01am

For the past few years, Astoria has been at the forefront of culinary trends. You can eat around the world, from Columbia and Hawaii to Egypt and Germany. But there are a few things that Astoria still hasn’t pegged yet – really good pizza, really good Chinese food, and a really good tea spot. You can finally at least cross that last one off the list.

Prince Tea House soft-opened its doors on Steinway Street in September 2017 and officially took off in November. My family and I can’t say no to teatime and had to pay a visit on a perfectly chilly and dreary afternoon.

Read on hear about our experience and what you need to know before you go with the kids.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Long Island City, Queens

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 9:25am

Long Island City is a bustling, young, up-and-coming NYC neighborhood, with plenty of growing families and loads of kid-friendly restaurants. Whether you're hitting a destination playground, having a culturally rich excursion, or going heavy in the arts-and-crafts department, finding a spot to eat is easier than you think. You'll find everything from Thai to Italian, diners to fancy artisanal food, plus great dessert spots.

Since the area is quite spread out, we've also added a pair of restaurants near two of LIC's more out-of-the-way attractions: the Noguchi Museum and Socrates Sculpture Park.

Kellogg's NYC Moves Its Cereal Cafe to Union Square

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Wed, 01/31/2018 - 10:26am

Union Square supplies NYC parents and caregivers some solid havens. There’s the newly renovated equipment at Evelyn’s Playground in the summer to shake out those willies. The warmth of Barnes & Noble in the winter will keep you cozy and entertained. There's the promise of candy dreams at Dylan's. And in between, you can even sneak in some serene minutes at the Union Square Greenmarket.

And now Kellogg’s NYC has given parents in the area a new, tasty and delightful option. Moving from its former location in Times Square in December, the updated 2,000-square-foot eatery is five times larger than the last—offering more fun and more tastiness.

Restaurants for After Your Whitney Museum Visit with Kids in NYC

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Fri, 01/26/2018 - 11:03am

The Studio Cafe at the Whitney Museum is a convenient option. Photo courtesy of Studio Cafe

New York City has tons to offer—and that it can be overwhelming at times. Knowing where to catch a break and grab a bite to eat can be a daunting endeavor, even for the native New Yorker. The Whitney Museum of American Art is a treasure for families, but how can you avoid the tourist traps, fancy froo-froo, and kid-adverse eateries once you're done with your tour?

That's why we've rounded up 10 of the best spots where you can grab a quick bite or even sit down for a full meal. For more family-friendly eateries, check out our NYC Restaurant Guide.

LIC Welcomes Playday, an Art Center for Kid Creators

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Thu, 01/11/2018 - 10:29am

Once just a neighborhood of sprawling factories and warehouses, Long Island City, Queens, has transformed into a hot spot for young professionals and families. New things seem to open every day. We love the outdoor thrills at Gantry Plaza State Park and the rest of the waterfront to indoor romps at the Noguchi Museum and play spaces like City Owlets.

But now there's a brand-new, distinctly unique creative environment in LIC: Playday. Is it an education center? Is it an art school? Is it a kids' crafting club? It’s all those things and more.

The Gazillion Bubble Show Delivers Magical, Soapy Fun for Kids

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 12/18/2017 - 11:05am

Few things can make a little kid smile faster than a burst of bubbles floating in the air. The Gazillion Bubble Show, playing north of Times Square at the New World Stages, brings that playful magic to the stage with its long-running show that aims to impress the young and the young-at-heart with bubble fun and tricks.

This off-Broadway production is a favorite among families looking to introduce their kids to theater. Read on for our review...all about the bubbles.

A Cozy Kid-Friendly Bookshop Arrives in Kew Gardens, Queens

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 12/04/2017 - 12:30pm

Queens has never been short on fun adventures, places to discover, and educational havens… but it does lack in one area: bookstores. After titan Barnes and Noble vacated the entire borough, only a handful of brave little bookshops remain. so most children's story hours take place at the local library.

Vina Castillo, Natalie Noboa, and Holly Nikodem saw the shockingly low number of general interest bookstores in Queens, and these ingenious book lovers set out to create an independent reading refuge for their community.

After a successful Kickstarter campaign supported by the community, Kew & Willow Books opened its doors in October 2017, offering adults and kids alike a beacon of book hope.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show Returns with New Stories

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 11/27/2017 - 11:05am

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show returned to New York City this fall with new Eric Carle stories to tell. Running an easily digestible 55 minutes and filled with bright colors and oversize puppets, this beautiful stage show easily captivates toddlers and preschoolers.

We caught the show when it first opened in January 2016, and so we were eager to see the new version, which swapped out two of the previous Carle picture book stories for two new ones. It also moved to a theater downtown. Read on for our full parent review of this show playing throughout the holidays and into February 2018.