Garlic Rose Bistro

Garlic Rose is a fancy restaurant with fabric table cloths. Even though this restaurant was formal, they seemed happy to have kids. We had a friendly waiter who was understanding with all our needs. I had my baby cousin with me and he needed a plastic cup with a straw and a high chair. There were no booster seats, but this place was still very good.

Kid Friendly Rating     :-)     :-)     :-)     :-)     :-)

Avital "Yumminess" Rating     :-)     :-)

My family really enjoyed the garlic and oil dip they put on the table with fresh bread. My dad especially liked  the stacked chicken and my mom said the fish was delicious. My brother and I split the Penne Carbonara. I didn't really like it – it was too creamy and garlicky for my taste.

Picky Eater Rating     :-)

This is not a very good restaurant for picky eaters. I'm sure you could order plain pasta with butter and bread if you asked. The grown-ups like Garlic Rose for its interesting flavors and spices, but diners who prefer more plain food probably will not.

Healthy Rating

It matters what healthy means for you. If your healthy is fresh vegetables, high quality meats and fresh herbs, then Garlic Rose is definitely healthy. But if your definition of healthy means low calories with less oil, less butter and less cream then Garlic Rose is definitely not healthy. The white Italian bread and oil is just too tempting!

Noisy Rating     :-)     :-)     :-)     :-)

Garlic Rose is a small restaurant, but it isn't very noisy. It's good for quiet children.

Kid Entertainment Rating     :-)

There was absolutely nothing for kids to do at this restaurant. Definitely bring a restaurant bag with plenty of goodies (see my previous articles for a full explanation of a "restaurant bag"). Be prepared for children to finish before adults because adults, it seems, like to savor the flavor.

Garlic Rose Bistro is located at 28 North Avenue West in Cranford. Call 908 276-5749 or visit http://www.garlicrose.com/cranford.htm.