NEW YORK CITY PARENTS: EATS & DRINKS (MANHATTAN) UWS

Hankering for a chocolate malt or egg cream with golden pancakes that takes you back to grandma's kitchen? Like some magical time machine EJ's takes you straight back to the 50's. Shiny booths, retro interior and old style service drills down to a taste from the past. The kid's menu is decent with old favorites like PP & J, hot dogs grilled cheese sandwiches and dinosaur chicken nuggets.On 81st and Columbus is the Natural History Museum and further east you arrive at Central Park. Get the children to map their way to Turtle pond and a hidden castle. Do stroller Amsterdam for mom and pop stores, there's a plethora of whimsical children's stores and boutiques.