Any suggestions for good restaurants with a 10 year old near Madison and 28? I'm helping friends plan. I think that if you go early enough (around 6) you can go to places like Asia de Cuba or Mesa Grill with a well-behaved child. Do you agree?

I believe a well behaved child should be welcomed in the finest of restaurants. I have friends and clients who take their children everywhere in the world.
The question is most parents think their child is well behaved, will the others around you think so too? For example is your idea of well-behaved, sitting and playing with a computer game all during dinner?

My kids are well behaved and I have taken them everywhere. They know how to act in certain places. It is a great experience for them. It shows them that every restaurant is not eating french fries with your fingers. Sorry, about not being able to give you a restaurant. Is the child a picky eater? Steakhouses are usually a good place for me to take my girls. I see you have picked Cuban type of food. If the child likes it, go for it. Eating early is always a good bet. We always tried to get a reservation for 6:30 the latest. We still do and mine are 12 and 13. This way you eat the main course by 7:30 which is the latest they can really wait. Hopefully NYtraveler will chime in. She usually has up to date good places to go!

The obvious question: What type(s) of food does the child like?

I have never had a problem w/ well behaved kids in any NYC restaurant. Mine are now both pre-teen and we've been taking them to fine restaurants forever. The biggest problem I have is that they both now order their own dinner.

Everywhere we've been they've been treated like humans, not babies. If they have questions, they ask the server themselves, and I've always found that wait staff will gladly interact with them as they would any other customer.

It's a little far from Madison/28th, but we enjoyed Cibo (2nd & 41st) a short while ago. 6:30 Saturday was perfect time to arrive. Not too busy yet but enough of a crowd to make the place lively.

If the child is not fussy, it's less relevant what type of food the child likes. Pick a place that's recommended for its quality food and service, regardless of cusine. I find that there is always a fallback choice on every menu for a less adventuresome adult or child. Better to expand ones horizons and not stay with the same old same old.

I like both Turkish Kitchen and Artisanal but neither are on Madison.

Turkish Kitchen is on 28th over on Third and Artisanal is on 32nd on between Park and Madison (I think).

Both are very good but Artisanal is more upscale.

The parents tell me that they and the child are adventurous eaters! Thanks for the input. If anyone has other suggestions I would love them. I just remembered that Sushi Samba and maybe Tamarind are there. Is that true? Anyone now of a good neighborhood joint?

One of my favorites in that neighborhood is Les Halles on Park. A french steakhouse with great mussels and to-die-for frites. What kid wouldn't like that?

Artisanal is another good choice. There will definitely be something there for a 10-yr-old to eat, even if it's just cheese fondue.

Both are noisy, so a child won't disturb others.

I like the idea of Asia de Cuba - I think both the site and the menu would be fun for a 10 year old. And that early - 6pm - they are likely to have mostly bar business - so even a little restlessness at dinner wouldn;t be noticed by anyone.

Thanks for the help. I'll suggest all these options with a special emphasis on Asia de Cuba.

Tamarind and Tabla are not too far away. Eleven Madison Park is a beautiful place with excellent food; same management ownership as Gramercy Tavern. Tabla has the downstairs Bread Bar that is casual with a smaller selection of the menu. A child who is well behaved as yours is would be welcome at any restaurant and it does not have to be at 6pm.

A strong ditto to j62's rec of Cibo - it has become one of my favorite places. The food is excellent, the menu varied enouh to be appealing, the service and ambience are top flight without being pretentious. And they have a prix fixe menu that is a great value. www.cibonyc.com

Not much in the way of upscale at 28th and Madison. I used to live a block away at 29th and Lexington. My best suggestion in the area is Copola's which is on 3rd and 27th I think. VERY good Italian and terrific wine list. Then I would head down to 11th and 1st to Veniero's for the MOST delicious pasteries, cakes, cookies, hot chocolate, coffees, teas, now what kid wouldn't LOVE that.

Have a great time.

Gosh, can't believe no one has mentioned the new and very well regarded Country, at Madison & 29 st. in the Carlton hotel on Madison hotel.

Seamus,
It was on your rec. (from 8/05) that I went to Cibo actually. (searched for restaurant near GCT). Thanks.