Best chain restos for kids?

Parents magazine just asked their readers to rank chain restaurants' child friendliness. Here were the top ten (the magazine hits the newsstands tomorrow):

1. Legal Sea Foods
2. Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes
3. Mimi’s Café
4. Uno Chicago Grill
5. Chili’s Grill & Bar
6. Red Robin
7. The Old Spaghetti Factory
8. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
9. Denny’s
10. Claim Jumper

The criteria were things like reservation policies and kid amenities such as crayons at the table and changing tables in the bathroom. The magazine also asked parents to consider things like whether the restaurants have eliminated trans fats in their dishes and whether they can accommodate children with food allergies; and about partnerships with children’s charities and other factors that contribute to an overall dining experience parents can feel good about.

Not a bad list, really, except there are a couple that are gastronomically somewhat punishing for the parents involved. Of chains, I think I'd add in California Pizza Kitchen, Chevy's (why don't we have any around here?), Cheesecake Factory, and maybe one of the fasties like Chipotle or Pei Wei.

In the Tampa Bay area, there are plenty of independents that get high marks in my book. Kelly's in Dunedin, anything owned by the Ciccio and Tony's clan--what are your faves?

Look who's coming to dinner

A few weeks ago I told a reader I'd weigh in on the nuts and bolts of eating out with kids. I know it's a long read, but here are my thoughts...

Waiters shrink from you, hostesses seat you in the far corner by the kitchen. Bad manners? No, just dining out with the kids. From newborn to adolescent, children create special challenges for parents and restaurant staff. If you plan right, though, dining out can be a satisfying experience for everyone, even that petrified waiter.

Don't set kids up for failure

Choosing the right restaurant is your first challenge. Look for a restaurant that is "kid friendly," which doesn't mean reflexively heading over to Chuck E. Cheese's. A restaurant doesn't have to have a jungle gym to fit the bill: Look for places with a children's menu or one that offers crayons or other enticements upon entering. This at least indicates that children are welcome and that the staff will be trained to accommodate them.

Noise level is important to consider. Your kids may disturb the peace in a place where you could hear a pin drop, but they may self-destruct in one of the new breed of airstrip-loud restaurants. Make sure you choose a place where tables are widely spaced; booths can help pen in little ones with a will to roam. By law, restaurants must have a high chair, but toddlers often feel too far from the table in these. Booster seats keep them right there with the rest of the family but have a tendency to tip over. For the family that eats out often, most baby stores carry inexpensive seats that clip safely onto the lip of the table.

Go early, before the rush, and make a reservation as opposed to walking in and hoping for the best. This will cut down on loitering time when kids tend to run amok. As in the rest of life, your family only has one chance to make a first impression on the staff. If their expectations are low, your service may reflect this.