Eating with Kids

Eating with Kids

Though it's unusual to see children in Boston's most elite restaurants, eating out with youngsters does not have to mean culinary exile. The vast majority of restaurants are happy to accommodate kids with simplified dishes and an out-of-the-way booth. Here are some particularly family-friendly options.

Charley's Saloon. Saloons may be no place for kids, but this is no real saloon. Charley's doles out American classics (grilled cheese, steaks, and apple pies) in a fun retro setting. Kids can color and people-watch. 284 Newbury St. 617/266-3000. Full Moon. Kids will delight in the play kitchen and dollhouse, and parents can cheer that they get to tuck into lovelies such as grilled salmon with bok choy. Meanwhile there's plenty of macaroni and cheese or burgers for the young ones. 344 Huron Ave., Cambridge. 617/354-6699. Joe's American Bar & Grille. So what if the restaurant looks as if it has been decorated by a raving mob at a Fourth of July parade? Next to an oversize burger and a slice of apple pie, the red, white, and blue overload is kind of fun. The clam chowder is almost always a hit with all generations. 279 Dartmouth St. 617/536-4200. Kingfish. Parents can dig into the fresh raw bar and junior can sup on clam chowder while watching the grill in the open kitchen. 1 S. Market St., Downtown. 617/523-8860. Legal Sea Foods. Smack between Faneuil Hall and the New England Aquarium, Legal is a great break after a long day on your feet. The children's meals, extra rolls, and playful menus don't hurt matters either. 255 State St., Downtown. 617/227-3115. Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage. Maybe it's the frappés (thick milk shakes), silly cartoons all over the walls, or just the fun, high-energy vibe. Whatever it is, Bartley's is a hit with kids. 1246 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617/354-6559. P. F. Chang's China Bistro. Straightforward, Americanized, and inexpensive Chinese food makes the rounds in this theatrically decorated spot. Kids love the lemon chicken and the fake Imperial sculptures and screens; parents love the prices and the accommodating staff. 8 Park Plaza. 617/573-0822. Stephanie's on Newbury. Here's comfort food at its best -- sophisticated enough for parents, simple enough for kids. The place is pretty but homey, and has plenty of booths for spreading out. 190 Newbury St. 617/236-0990. Summer Shack. Boston überchef Jasper White has given New England seafood an urban tweak in his laid-back, loud, and fun spot next to the Prudential Center. The colors are bright, and the entire affair is like one big indoor clambake. 10 Scotia St. 617/867-9955. Zaftigs. Fill up on huge plates of deli fixings such as matzo-ball soup, first-rate knishes, and heaping plates of grilled chicken, thick-cut onion rings, and three-cheese macaroni. Families cram the place regularly, so servers are used to kids' requests. 335 Harvard St., Brookline. 617/975-0075.