American Girl Restaurant
A surprisingly great price for a three course meal in Midtown
With my post this week, I am ever so slightly breaking one of my own rules. I have an internal edict that I only write about firsthand experiences. This week, I am writing secondhand from my family members' experiences. I think that’s close enough, but I felt I should acknowledge the variance.
My parents took my 6-year-old daughter to the American Girl doll store last week as an early birthday gift. I rolled my eyes at the suggestion, even though I knew she would love it. Turns out, I was wrong. The experience was excellent, and the menu was pretty affordable for a 3 course meal in Midtown!
The Details
The American Girl store is in Rockefeller Plaza. The restaurant is open Thursday-Monday, and while reservations are not required, you can make them up to 90 days in advance. I was surprised to see a lot of availability (even this Saturday).
The minimum cost is $27/person; you can see the menu here. For $27, you get a drink, a 3-course meal, and welcome cinnamon buns! My parents said the burger and chicken fingers were delicious. It’s a pretty phenomenal price, considering the Burger Bar in Rockefeller Plaza charges $18 for a burger [insert dramatic pause for effect] without fries.
My parents upgraded to the deluxe birthday package for $40/child and $30/adult. They provided a goody bag and a full cake to treat my daughter for her big day. There are a few other add-ons for desserts and beverages. It’s not an environment where you feel you need to upgrade. The basic package is still a delight.
They also host official birthday party packages that are a bit more expensive (starting at $60/person). That’s not a terrible price relative to what some of the places charge in the city. (I’m thinking of Chelsea Piers, which starts at $80/kid for the first ten!)
The Experience
The servers go all out with spoiling the children and their dolls. A special high chair allows your doll to sit at the table. A doll holder (pictured above) is in each bathroom stall.
Every time the server stopped by the table, they called my daughter by her first name. It was truly a princess moment.
While not on the menu online, the restaurant has a liquor license for the adult experience.
Recommendations
Set a budget; plan for retail chaos. The hardest part about the restaurant is walking through the whole store before finding it. If you’re just looking for a fun meal out, there is a lot of retail temptation to avoid. My parents planned on buying a doll during the visit, I think it would be very hard to dine without a purchase.
Explore “Wellie Wishers.” The restaurant is near the “Wellie Wishers” doll area. These are slightly smaller and are much more affordable. Younger children, especially, will not know the difference.
Choose the restaurant over the salon. An appointment for a doll and child at the salon is $60. The salon appointments are also far harder to get. Even if you can snag one, I still think the restaurant is the way to go.
Have Fun! Yes, it’s all a little outrageous, but they do a great job paying attention to the details. Embrace your inner child and indulge for the day.
Since last week's new doll, my daughter has not turned her room into a doll city. The stations she has set up in every corner are adorable.
Has anyone experienced the salon? Am I wrong about the outrageous cost?
Katie