When we announced that we were headed for Mimi's, Bib Taler probably thought we were going for a longer drive. His grandparents -- aka Mimi and Bop -- live about an hour away from us, but we arrived at Mimi's Cafe in west Little Rock in under 15 minutes.
   We have been to Mimi's before, and in the past Bib Taler has endured nearly hour-long waits just to get seated.
   Fortunately, this time we walked straight from the door to a table. The woman who seated us said she would be right back with a highchair and a child's plate (free!). And she was. She also brought a kids' menu/activity sheet and two crayons to keep Bib Taler busy.
   She really needn't have bothered with the sheet and crayons, though.
   Bib Taler was far more entertained by the dish she plunked down in front of him, relishing the little cup of Cheerios and the half an orange that were nestled on a plastic bib. (We didn't use the bib... it was a little sticky from the orange juice. But it was a nice gesture.)
   Bib Taler loves his Cheerios, but he was particularly enthralled by the ones at Mimi's. I can only assume that restaurant-quality Cheerios are superior to the ones in our kitchen at home. Maybe it's a physics thing -- maybe the restaurant Cheerios bounce better or fall better, or maybe it's just easier to grind them into the carpet.
   At some point during our visit to Mimi's an elderly lady wearing a bright green felt hat leaned over from the next table and spoke to Bib Taler. She wanted to give our chubby-cheeked, curly-blond boy a big hug. We understood. But he considered her long and hard, and we're pretty sure he was trying to gauge whether he could fling one of those Cheerios into the fold of her colorful cap.
   Diners at Mimi's are treated to a signature bread basket before their meal, with one fresh sourdough loaf and one specialty loaf, usually something a little sweet, such as carrot raisin bread. Bib Taler crammed fistfuls of the bread into his mouth and laughed hysterically while his dad and I scanned our menus. It took us a while to narrow down our selections. Let's see... did Bib Taler's dad want the chicken pot pie ($10.99)? A Rueben ($8.59)? And did I want the slow-roasted turkey ($10.49), which is actually a Thanksgiving feast, or should I go for something from the breakfast menu?
   Our meals probably arrived at our table in less time than it took for us to decide on them -- smoky chicken enchiladas from the seasonal menu ($9.99) for me, and Mimi's meat loaf ($10.99) for Bib Taler's dad. Bib Taler, once again, dined buffet style, alternating demands for bites of his dad's potatoes and broccoli with demands for my chicken and black beans.
   We were not hungry when our plates were empty, but we couldn't not order a dessert. I mean, they have bananas foster mud pie ($4.99). Who could say no? We decided to share one, and thank heavens we did. The menu describes it as "a towering portion of banana-vanilla swirl ice cream, chock full of caramel and candied pecans... " Boy, I'll say. The three of us working together couldn't finish it off, although we did enjoy trying. And the fresh sliced banana on the side (or "mash" in Bib Taler-speak ) was a big hit with Bib Taler.
   Mimi's is not a quiet place. There's a constant din of dishes clanking, animated conversation and swinging music. The walls and ceiling are "busy," too, with all sorts of knickknacks and colorful lights here and there and everywhere.
   All that might have contributed to Bib Taler's unwavering resolve to escape his highchair, scramble off our laps and hit the floor so he could move around and get a closer look at things. We said no. And he exploded. Oh, my, but we made a quick exit from Mimi's, with Bib Taler's kicking and screaming drawing attention from everyone in the dining room. (Or at least that's how it feels sometimes to a parent trying to haul a fit-throwing toddler out of a public place.)
   As soon as we walked out the door and into the parking lot, Bib Taler's face uncrumpled.
   What would Mimi say about all that ruckus? She would tell us everything happens for a reason. In this case, it did. It was Bib Taler's bedtime. And he fell asleep with a full tummy. (Thanks, Mimi's !) Bib Tales is a monthly column on where to go with a baby in tow.
   MIMI'S

CAFE Address:
11725 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock

Hours:
7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily

For the parents:
Spinach and artichoke dip ($7.99), pasta jambalaya ($12.79), Cajun blackened salmon ($13.29), 12 ounce top sirloin ($14.99), turkey pesto ciabatta, ($8.49); Thai chicken wrap ($7.99), and Mimi's chopped Cobb salad ($9.29), are a few of the lunch and dinner selections. A breakfast menu is available all day.

For the kids:
Half a tuna sandwich on whole wheat, Kraft macaroni and cheese, half a grilled cheese sandwich, min corn dogs, noodles -- plain or with marinara -- a plain burger, cheese quesadilla, a crock of soup and a green salad, or (after noon) a kid-size turkey dinner, each priced at $4.29, or chicken fingers with ranch dressing dip for $4.59. All kids' meals come with fries, fruit or mashed potatoes, a drink, and an Oreo cookie crumb dessert.

Highchair report:
Standard plastic ones.

Hire a sitter?
What, and not get the Cheerios?!

Family budget:
Portions are generous, and prices are reasonable.

(501) 221-3883

This story was published Friday, November 03, 2006