Stellasmomma wrote a diary about fine dining that reminded me of the topic I wanted to ask all you fabulous mommas (and dads) about... kid-friendly restaurants.

This year, on Lily's birthday, DH and I attempted to come up with a fun "out to eat" plan for her birthday- somewhere she would enjoy that didn't involve Ronald and chicken nuggets. We were completely stumped.

Chuck E Cheese was an option, but honestly- the pizza is expensive cardboard and it was a Monday night, not exactly prime-time for playing after your meal. And besides, games to throw money away on wasn't exactly what I was looking for, you know?

I seem to remember the family dining experience being different when I was younger- there were pirate hats and affordable meals at Red Lobster, or Shakey's, the not-just-for-old-people buffet with a Sunday Bar and a whole room where the families with kiddies got to sit. There's a CiCi's by us, but all-you-can-eat pizza is much better in theory than in practice.