American Girl Cafe's

[libinatorsmom]

Anyone been to one? we have reservations to go to the one in NYC in June and just wondering if anyone can shed some light on it! Its def not budget though so I hope its worth the $25 a person... HELP

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We have been to the Bistro in Atlanta and the food was wonderful both times. I want to go back again, but haven't had the time. They have the most delicious pretzel bread with a cheese dipping sauce..oh yummy.

Suzanne

 

[Donaldswife]

Anyone been to one? we have reservations to go to the one in NYC in June and just wondering if anyone can shed some light on it! Its def not budget though so I hope its worth the $25 a person... HELP

It is a splurge, but your DD will love it. We have taken my DD9 3 times to the Chicago Cafe and she has loved every minute of each trip. The food is very good, but it is really for the decor and experience of it with your daughter and her doll. If your daughter loves her AG doll then I say you should definitely do it once, it was a really fun treat for my daugher.

 

[ceecee]

The girls love it. It's great that they have the whole thing set up with the dolls dining with you. We splurged even more since we went on DD's birthday and got her the birthday package, it came with a little bag with a note pad, hair scrunchies for her and the doll and maybe something else and I think she got a cupcake. We went to the one in Chicago.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

We went last summer for DD's birthday. Certainly NOT budget at all, but I thought it was a worthwhile expense (and we watch our budget pretty closely). It's not something DD will ever forget doing!

We took DD, me and both her grandmothers - it was very special.

The lunch, while expensive, is rather good. Lots of little courses, and the food is filling and decent quality. THe waitstaff was attentive.

We had a table in the very back room - it was lovely because it was quieter than the main dining hall. I would see if you can request that if you go.

 

[dntd]

I'm planning a trip to NYC next summer . Visiting the AG store is going to be a highlight to our trip. It looks like a fun place to eat

 

[raraloveseeyore]

I went last year and it was wonderful! It was my birthday and they do something special for birthdays. I took my 7 year old granddaughter, my daughter and my daughter in law. I think we enjoyed it more than my granddaughter. We didn't have reservations but we signed up for standby. Several reservations didn't show up so we got in. It's a definite to do if you have a child into American Girl.

 

[libinatorsmom]

Thanks everyone - we have a resservation so we will check it out - we are going to the store for sure and will decide on lunch reading reviews online it doesnt look like its worth the $26 per person they charge... hmmmm decsions

 

[woodkins]

Thanks everyone - we have a resservation so we will check it out - we are going to the store for sure and will decide on lunch reading reviews online it doesnt look like its worth the $26 per person they charge... hmmmm decsions

I have taken my dd8 to the AG Cafe in NY many times. The $26 is a good value in my opinion. For a sit down restaurant in NYC it is a pretty competitive price considering what you are getting. They have the special seats and food for the dolls to participate and the napkin rings are bow hair ties that you keep for your girl and her doll(s). It is a fun time for sure.

 

[bear_mom]

When I was making reservations, I reviewed all the menus and decided that brunch would best fit our family's tastes. The food was good and it was worth it in my opinion.

We have done this twice now, once for each of dd's birthdays.

Emily

 

[ewalshslp]

We were just at the AG cafe for our second visit this past Saturday. The whole experience is totally worth it in my opinion, especially if you dd has a doll. I thought the menu was very nice, with a lot of options. There were 7 of us, and we all enjoyed our meals. There was plenty of food and some of us couldn't even finish. The whole experience is just so much fun!

My 6 year old daughter brought her doll with her, and had her doll's hair done at the "hair salon." For $25, her doll was scrubbed clean and had her hair styled and made to look like new. The wait was long, though. If it's something you are interested in, I would sign up as soon as you get there, then do your shopping/looking around. They make you leave the doll with them, then call your name when it's you doll's turn. If you are not there, they will just go ahead an do the hair anyway. My dd really wanted to watch and take pictures, and fortunately, they called her name with enough time to watch and make it to our 2:30 ressie.

 

[AndreaDM]

We ate at the one in Atlanta in Jan. for lunch and didn't think it was expensive at all for all the food we got, neither of us finished it. The portions were huge and very tasty, had a great time!

 

[lizabu]

If you're coming from out of town there are a couple Sheraton's I know who have a promotional rate. The one I can think of is Sheraton Chicago Michigan Mile and the other is the Sheraton in Weehawken NJ. You get a discounted rate on the hotel. They give you milk & cookies and a bed for your American girl doll.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Some people are mentioning cafe locations, some are mentioning bistro and they are very different. We have done lunch at NYC and dinner at the bistro in Boston (twice.) We felt the lunch in NYC was so much better for the money! Not sure if it has changed, but drinks and dessert was included. At the bistro prices were cheaper, but drinks and dessert extra. I just felt the experience in NYC was special, Boston was just having a meal with the doll at the table. Even my very budget-minded (cheap) husband thought NYC was well worth the money.

 

[libinatorsmom]

Some people are mentioning cafe locations, some are mentioning bistro and they are very different. We have done lunch at NYC and dinner at the bistro in Boston (twice.) We felt the lunch in NYC was so much better for the money! Not sure if it has changed, but drinks and dessert was included. At the bistro prices were cheaper, but drinks and dessert extra. I just felt the experience in NYC was special, Boston was just having a meal with the doll at the table. Even my very budget-minded (cheap) husband thought NYC was well worth the money.

Thanks for the insight... yes its the cafe... We have ressies for lunch so we will hope to try it out - Guess we will wait and see - I am trying to decide though if we want to drag her doll through NYC though to have lunch with her

 

[TrixieLouMagoo]

I am trying to decide though if we want to drag her doll through NYC though to have lunch with her

I used to work at AGP in NYC. (Back when there was a theater, I worked there. It was awesome and I am sad it doesn't exist any more and I can't make that recommendation.)

In any case, it is pricey, and the food is good, but not better that you could find in other NYC restaurants. However, if you DD loves AG and her doll, the experience is totally worth it. I definitely suggest she brings her doll, being able to share the experience is pretty wonderful. Most of the girls there will have their doll with them, so she may regret not having it. But, if you do decide to leave the doll at home, the Cafe will have dolls that you can borrow. Just check in with them at concierge or at the reservation podium and let them know you would like to borrow a doll. Your DD can choose between the historical characters or a number of JLY's.

You also might want to agree upon a spending limit or number of items to be purchased while you are there. The store is HUGE and there are so many accessories and things that it is quite easy to get carried away. I have seen people blow some serious cash, and although I understand the love between a child and their doll, it can get ridiculous.

Enjoy your time together and make use of the Table Talkers that will be on the table when you sit down. They are fun questions and topics that let parents and kids get to know each other better.

Have fun and good luck!

 

[libinatorsmom]

Thanks for your insight!!! I would just hate for her Elizabeth Doll to be left somewhere as she does just love her

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

Kaley and Kit came with us last June. We took the train in from CT and everything...I brought my LLBean backpack and put them in it and took them out when we got to the store.

Look up the prices of everything before you go and decide if you are going to have the dolls ears pierced, hair done or buy any outfits...knowing ahead made it less stressful for me.

 

[lpandorf]

We ate lunch recently at the AGD cafe in Chicago last month. It was our first time to the store. My daughter asked if we could eat lunch there and I almost said no due to the price. However, very glad we went as I felt we had a nice meal for the price and she was so happy there. She is still talking about it. The price included appetizers (fresh veggies/dip, fresh fruit, chees, pretzel bread), the main course. I had a nice salmon salad and forget what DD got, but she enjoyed it. It included a nice desert and drinks included, as well. I'd recommend going at least once.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

We splurged and booked one of the American Girl packages for DD and her best friend and mom when the girls were turning 10. We did 1 night at the New York Palace and at that time, they provided beds (that you keep) for the dolls. It was really cute, and absolutely worth every penny! The food is pretty good, definitely not budget, but the appeal is that the dolls have seats at the table.

Make sure if you are visiting the hair salon that you do it early, OR after your meal. It is first come, first serve and if there is a long wait, you may not get your doll back in time for lunch.

We had the privledge of going two times while my DD was very much in the AG stage. Now she couldn't care less about them. They grow up fast- enjoy every moment while you can!!!