Dinner & a Movie
The new film "Enchanted," from Walt Disney Pictures, is a semi-send-up of the "princess" cinema genre that Disney has perfected for decades. Beginning as an animation and segueing into live action, the film — centering on a princess who lands in Times Square after being exiled from her fairy-tale world — pokes fun at the stereotypes of princess movies while still retaining the elements of what makes these works so memorable: songs, dances, and handsome princes.
As Chanukah and Christmas approach, here are some festive restaurant and gift-shopping recommendations for parents and their little royals.
EATS
For a dainty bite and sip, Alice's Tea Cup hits the tea spot. The cozy café offers a full menu of breakfast, lunch, and brunch, including scones, croque-monsieurs, and crêpes, stuffed with fillings such as marshmallow fluff, crème anglaise, lavender Earl Grey honey, almonds, strawberries, and raspberries. But for those who want the royal treatment, Alice's afternoon tea menus are the way to go. The Mad Hatter, an afternoon tea for one, includes tea, scones, sandwiches, a chocolate-chip cake, and a fruit tart or chocolate mousse; the Jabberwocky, for as many people as you want, features unlimited sandwiches. And for the smallest of princesses, the Wee Tea includes an herbal tea or tisane, one scone, and one item from Alice's children's menu.
(102 W. 73rd St. at Columbus Avenue, 212-799-3006, among other locations)
SHOPPING
Forget F.A.O. Schwartz — princesses demand one-of-a-kind holiday presents. Susan Lane's TriBeCa boutique, Bu and the Duck, offers new and vintage children's clothing and toys, featuring short and long-sleeved jersey dresses, and sweet striped or ribbed leggings. The store also sells suspender pants, denim jeans, or patch-pocket pants for little princes, as well as linen long-sleeved shirts. What's best for gifts, though, are the boutique's handmade toys: Stuffed animals include the Gordito Bear ($85), the Baby Bu rag dolls ($80 each), and crocheted toys, including George the Giraffe, Rat Cat, Horace, and Dumb Dog ($480 each). And for good measure, Bu and the Duck also sells classic Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls ($250, must order in advance). (Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., 106 Franklin St. at Church Street, 212-431-9226)
MOVIE
In the blissfully dreamy (and animated) world of Andalasia, Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) is engaged to Prince Edward (James Marsden). But the marriage threatens the reign of Edward's evil stepmother, Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon), who must give up her throne after the wedding. Narissa takes matters into her own hands, throwing Giselle out of Andalasia — and into Manhattan, in the middle of bustling Times Square. The live-action part of the film takes place in the city, as Giselle picks herself up and learns to deal with her exile from fantasy-ville (just like many single women in New York). In the process, she meets and begins falling for a divorced lawyer (Patrick Dempsey), who helps her adjust to her strange, gray surroundings. In the November 21 edition of The New York Sun, Meghan Keane wrote, "'Enchanted' has its fair share of poop jokes and modern misanthropes, but it keeps its faithful Disney spirit alive with songs and characters that are changed just enough to retain the audience's interest." (Friday, 5:45, 7:15, 8:20, and 9:50 p.m., Regal Cinemas Union Square, 850 Broadway at 14th Street, 212-253-2225, $10.50)
