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FeedDining, American Girl Style
When I first learned I was having a baby girl, I was terrified: “Will this mean Disney-princess culture is going to worm its way into my life?” Ugh.
I now realize my fear was misplaced. I should have been asking, ‘Does this mean I will have to shell out $450 for a birthday party?’
Yup, $450 is how much it is going to cost you to have a birthday party for eight girls at the new American Girl store that’s opening this November 15 at the Mall of America. For $450, you get cake, food, games, a group photo, and your choice of theme. If you’re feeling particularly cynical—and I am—you will surely note that three of the four themes involve making accessories for American Girl dolls.
If $450 seems like a lot of money to spend on a birthday party for 8 children—and I think it does—know you can dine in the American Girl Bistro for the much more reasonable price: $15 per person will get you a lunch or dinner, including a choice of starter, entrée, and side.
The forthcoming American Girl Bistro menu is fascinating to look at because they’ve had to develop something along two channels: for girls under the age of twelve or so—and for their parents. For the lasses, there’s “picnic time” with a “bitty burger and mini hot dog” or heart shaped ravioli; for their moms and dads, there’s a turkey Cobb salad and grilled salmon. The menu actually looks a lot more tolerable than I would have imagined. In fact, there’s an all-day dessert bar with chocolate fondue, an ice-cream sandwich cookie sampler platter, banana splits, and such. So, November 15: Mark you calendars, ready your mini-vans, open your wallets.
As for me, the only question is whether my cynicism about American Girl will withstand the aging of my own American girl, who is now 4 months old. I’d bet money that the answer is going to be a resounding “No,” seeing that my entire last weekend was dedicated to marbles, marble-tracks, visits to the “marble store” (thanks, Wonderment!) and all things marble-related, as dictated by my two-and-a-half year old. You might not know it, but prior to now, my marble-interest was remarkably low. Oh well. I’ll enjoy the last vestiges of my cynicism while I can. If you’ve aged past that, you can make your own American Girl Bistro reservation by calling: 1-888-777-0010.
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 in Permalink
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Reader Comments:
My wife and I took our daughters (almost 5 and almost 9) to The American Girl store in Chicago this summer. They spent several hours spending their parents' hard earned money on doll stuff, and then we went back for dinner at the cafe. As a guy who feels like he knows too much about A.G. I was a little wary of what kind of experience it would be.
It turned out to be quite a pleasant, if slightly surreal experience. My kids LOVED it. It is a fancy tea party for the dolls (who sit at the table with you) and a pretty decent meal for everyone else. Mom had a the salmon, the 9 year old and I had the cheese ravioli and the youngest had some kind of chicken. It was good value for the money. The fact that we could have a glass of wine with dinner also helped sweeten the deal.
Good luck keeping your little one away from the cult of A.G. - once you get sucked in you're a goner! And so is your $$$$.
Whoa! I didn't know you ate with the dolls.
I have also recently learned you can also dress like the dolls, and provide them with antique-like wooden furniture.
I'm doomed.