Dining out with little ones can cause a right headache when deciding where to go. Is there a kids menu? Will they be welcome? Is there a good selection of options for them? Will they get bored?

If you’re looking for somewhere that ticks all the boxes and at the same time offers you a wonderful evening of dining then look no further than Marco’s New York Italian inside the Mercure on Granby Street. The children’s menu is unbelievable value at just £3.99 for a main course, £5.95 for 2 courses and just £7.50 for 3, and all within the wonderful setting of the restaurant designed by Marco Pierre White, with his inspiration coming through on the kids menu as well as for the grown ups.

marco leicester
Located towards the rear of the Mercure Hotel, it’s a wonderful setting for a family evening out or a special occasion. Starting in the bar with cocktails (or mocktails for the children) before going through for dinner is a lovely beginning to the meal, but if you’re thinking that your little ones would be too noisy or unaccepted don’t worry, the children are well and truly welcomed. This may be a Marco Pierre White restaurant, with all the trappings that go with it, but there’s also colouring in and dot to dot on the kids menu, high chairs available and family friendly staff to boot.

marco leicester kids
Children’s starters include chicken strips, garlic bread, vegetable sticks or soup before moving onto mains of pasta, salad build your own burger or build your own pizza, making it a fun experience for them. The pasta portions for children came out similar, it not larger, than the adults’ starter size and proved excellent value for money. The meatballs in particular coming highly recommended.

marco's leicester kids
Of course, you can’t send the children out to dinner on their own, so what about the adult menu? The menu ranges from pastas including meatballs and cannelloni to their New Orleans Seafood Skewer with jumbo shrimp, salmon fillet and calamari served over pasta. The Salmon Steak a la Napolitana was a menu highlight, with the large fish large portion served on a wonderful medley of flavours with spinach, green olives, capers and basil. For the meat lovers you’ll find a selection of 28 day aged steaks (special steak offers available on Mondays) with a good selection of salad options also on offer for lighter options.

marco's leicester restaurant
Having ploughed through as much of their meatball mains as they could, it was time for dessert and for the kids this meant a warm chocolate brownie sundae, fresh fruit skewer or a selection of ice cream. For the adults, the New York baked cheesecake does it every time. A beautifully creamy cheesecake, with a fruity blueberry compote, it gets top cheesecake marks from us!

If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a lunchtime or evening out with the children, or perhaps somewhere to go for a special occasion with the grandparents as well, Marco’s is perfect for all ages. At £7.50 for 3 courses, the children’s menu is fantastic value and allows the adults to still enjoy a memorable evening in Leicester’s only “celebrity chef” restaurant.

For full information please visit the Marco’s New York Italian website.

Marco’s is located inside The Mercure on Granby Street.