I am so glad when I heard that one of my favorite kid-friendly restaurants – The Rochester Playhouse – has reopened after a year of renovation works! While the air-conditioned indoor play area was nice and cosy, the outdoor area was quite pathetic. After the renovation, the outdoor play area is much bigger and definitely nicer!
The restaurant itself doesn’t look any different – It still has the alfresco relaxed feel with its wooden & ratten furniture. Menu looks pretty much the same too.
For a fee, kids can play in the indoor air-conditioned play area, as well as the outdoor area, where a huge trampoline lies as well. In the playhouse, there’s a dress-up corner complete with costumes, tables for coloring and block-building, and some playground structures. It feels like a friend’s house, more than a public play facility. There are staff watching the kids and interacting with them inside the playhouse.
The outdoor play area has got toy cars, slides, inflatable and of course, the trampoline.
The restaurant is right next to the outdoor play area, so it’s easy for parents to have their meals while watching the kids play. There are also mini tables and benches within the play area, so the kids can choose to have their meals there as well if they like.
I was glad the standard of the food was kept consistent – I really like the food they serve – very flavorful, and the kids’ menu is pretty good. At $9.90, the kids get a main course and a juice with options to top up for ice-cream, desserts, etc. The selection is very good as well – with more than 10 different main courses to choose from.
Aglio Olio with Prawns ($16.90)
6 large prawns done in a very flavorful and fragrant aglio olio – Very yums!
Ribeye Steak ($29.90)
Love the charred taste in the steak. Served with paprika-sprinkled fries, this is a very hearty main course.
Half Roast Chicken ($26.90)
I was surprised how tender this chix was! The flesh came off easily with just a light tug and it’s very well-marinated as well. Love the french beans and mushrooms served as side.
We had a wonderful dinner with my mother-in-law while the kids were having fun in the playhouse. This is a perfect arrangement – the adults dig in first while the kids play, so that we get to have our meals in peace and when the kids come out for their dinnertime, we can feed them while having our post-dinner coffees. :)
Both kids chose to have their Fish & Chips ($9.90) – Two very fresh battered fried fish served with french fries, a dollop of corn kernels and a cookie. They loved it!
Glad that Rochester Playhouse is back in business. We’ll be back pretty often, I reckon. I like the quietness of this place although it might get pretty crowded during weekends when word of its reopening gets out. As at now, it’s still pretty tranquil and serene, so hop by a visit soon. If you are planning to hold birthday parties there, they have rooms on Level 2 for such events as well.
The Rochester Playhouse
7 Rochester Park
Open 6 days a week
Tuesdays till Sundays
10 am till 8pm
Play fees: $8/hour, $10/two hours or $15/unlimited play
http://www.rochesterhouse.com.sg/Welcome.html
