Matchbox
Got a dining companion who won’t sit still? The $6 kids menu at Matchbox includes a few brain games (from word scrambles to tic-tac-toe) along with a “grazing plate” — Captain Healthy to the Rescue — featuring apples, strawberries, bananas, celery, carrots, mozzarella, slices of Gouda and peanut butter. In addition, younger guests get their own dough ball upon arrival, which is then baked while they wait. While the restaurant is known for its wood-fired pizzas, other popular dishes for adults include tuna tartare tacos, short ribs and crispy half chicken. The Mosaic outpost of this popular D.C.-area chainlet has plenty of distractions, including the adjacent Angelika Film Center’s outdoor screen (which is visible from its 40-seat patio), and there are fire pits in the colder months. Extra fun: Matchbox is now offering weekend pizza-making classes for kids’ birthday parties, complete with a lunch buffet.
1100 South Hayes St. (Pentagon City) and 2911 District Ave. (Mosaic District)