Good bye, August

It was the last day of August, a hot summer day, appropriately. We headed on bike uptown- it was nice to see the green bike lane extending all the way up to near the park on First Avenue. When we got to the Central Park Zoo, it was already full of kids and mommies and nannies. Taiyo of course had to first go check out the penguins, then polar bears, snow monkeys, sea lions, and coloful birds and lemurs in rain forest. He loved watching the musical clock by the zoo, then we went feed goats and sheeps at the Children's Zoo. Taiyo just wanted to keep feeding the animals, but I talked him into feeding ourselves. Time for lunch.

I wanted to go for a better dining option, but Taiyo insisted going into the Zoo's Dancing Crane Cafe as we were passing by it to get to our bike. He was already so tired, cranky and loud, I had to give in. Fries and ketchup was all he needed to be content. I bumped it up with a pack of apple juice. Well, it's not great food or selection, same as most other cafeterias in children's venues. Fries, chicken strips, pizza, burger, sandwich and maybe some salad, all not so appealing to me and also pricey, but it is so conveniently located. We stopped in a bunch of times here before when dining out was not so much of option, because Taiyo wouldn't be able to sit still and wait for the food or grab everything on the table or his eating skill was not developed enough it was always so messy and stressful for me. It is no worry busy noisy cafeteria with bunch of kids running around and screaming, and there's plenty of tables inside and outside, plus plenty of high chairs if you need one. Recommended for practical reasons. Taiyo of course slept through our ride home.

After getting our laundry done, it was time for dinner again! Taiyo's mind was already set for pizza, so we headed to Lil' Frankie's on First Avenue and 1st Street. The hostess set up in the dark dining area by the bar. Ok, I felt that we were offered a low table but it was still cute setting, right in front of the old pictures of Lil Frank. Taiyo did like the pictures on the wall, and he laid down to check out the comfort level of the plastic covered bench that we were sure not going to worry about staining. When the waitress came over, she exclaimed, "I know you.. you're the kid from SOY!" She said she came over to pick up food one day recently. It was nice to be recognized and we felt quite at home. We ordered too much food- Margherita pizza, that was just so perfectly done and simply delicious, fried zucchini because I thought Taiyo would like it, and Fava bean soup, which wasn't bad but not necessary. Of course, Taiyo, the little happy diner, charmed people around the bar, and it was just wonderful pleasant dining experience. Very much recommended.
After dinner, it was so beautiful out I took a long ride home going through East River Park. Newly finished section on promenade with lights was nice, but Taiyo was sleeping again.