481049 Sat Jan 19 13:47:12 -0800 2008 4 20 Tristate Region 0 3312286 My wife and I love to try new (to us) restaurants in the Capital Region, but we often have to bring along our (well-behaved) four-year old son. What are some good options in the area that isn't a chain restaurant? Mezzanotte's great in Guilderland, but too nice for kids. We're new here from Chicago, so we have a hard time figuring out where to start. Sat Jan 19 13:47:12 -0800 2008 142303 Rinteln 1 3315113 Moscatello's in East Greenbush (down the road from Hudson Valley Community College) is a great place to take kids. They have a nice childrens menu and give the kids a hunk of dough to play with while waiting. It's full of families so nobody minds a child being there. It's basic red-sauce Italian and the food is excellent. Another place that has an exellent childrens menu is Dakota restaurant in Latham. Technically it is a chain, but I think they only have about 5 or 6 restaurants. Their kids menu has steak and grilled chicken and other healthy (non-fried) foods. And a very nice salad bar. The items on the kids menu come with an ice cream sundae for dessert. Sun Jan 20 16:34:12 -0800 2008 3312286 40284 AmyH 2 3316198 It's "Moscatiello's," if you're trying to look it up, and it's a good suggestion. If you could locate yourself geographically, we could come up with lots of other good suggestions, too. Mon Jan 21 06:13:48 -0800 2008 3315113 10022 PSZaas 2 3318220 I used to be a manager at that Dakota location and agree the kids menu provides great value (or at least did 10 years ago when I was there). It has changed hands and many of the locations (known as Sirloin Saloons) have reportedly slipped in quality. In my opinion, a well behaved child and his/her parents should feel comfortable at any restaurant ! Mon Jan 21 16:10:00 -0800 2008 3315113 50082 TonyO 1 3331505 We take our almost-three-year-old son out to eat all the time. Our number one spot is the Four Corners Luncheonette in Delmar - the staff treat our son like an honored guest/pet whenever we're there. They have a larger than usual kids menu, not just grilled cheese and chicken fingers. We sometimes go to Mangia's, which is a small local chain (they also own the Bountiful Bread bakery in Stuyvesant Plaza). Ali Baba's in Troy is great with him, very casual and good. Hidden Cafe in Delmar is more upscale but works with a child at lunchtime. Smith's Tavern in Voorheesville has good pizza - and a train running on a track around the front (bar) room. Fri Jan 25 08:08:06 -0800 2008 3312286 85539 lupaglupa