"fancy" restaurant ideas?

I am taking my six year old son to see Pilobolus at the Brown Theater in November. He wants to have dinner at a "fancy" restuarant. He is generally well behaved and acts appropriatly in restaurants. As far as menu goes as long as they can prepare pasta with butter and cheese and make a good Shirley Temple then he would be quite satisfied. Any suggestions?

aww, I remember my parents ordering Shirley Temple for me when I was a kid (yesterday LOL).

That is sweet! Have fun!

[Robin Garr]

Any suggestions?

How about Melillo's? It's not white tablecloth, but I'll bet a youngster would consider it plenty fancy, and it's not far from downtown. They can surely do the pasta thing, and they are so hospitable and great with kids.

We have been to Mellilo's (with the kids) and were very happy with the service and the quality of food, and it is definitly on my list. I would like to take him someplace new (to him).

[Robin Garr]

I would like to take him someplace new (to him).

How about Saffron's, then? Would he go for a tasty rice dish instead of pasta? Saffron's is also really known for its hospitality, and even closer to downtown.

Spaghetti Factory? Not local, but it appeals to kids.

I would go to the extreme , bite the bullet and take him to the Oak Room. He asked for fancy and I think that fills the bill. If the child can appreciate Philobolus then he's ready for his first real exposure to dining out.
I'd tell him what's going on, "Look, you asked for fancy so we're going to a very fine restaurant. That means you have to be on your best behavior..." I'm sure you know the drill. The whole evening could turn into a night you both remember for a lifetime.

I agree, do it big.

When you make your reservation, explain that this is your child's introduction to fine dining and you'd like to make it special. When I was a server I loved moments like that! Also be sure that the chef will be willing to accomodate a child's palate--but I doubt that would be an issue. I bet if you asked they could throw together a children's pre-theater menu for him.

What a fun night for your son to act like and be treated like a gentleman!

Some of my fondest as a child memories are going to fancy restaurants with the family. Like Michelle mentioned, the servers seemed to enjoy watching me as they took the silver domes off my spaghetti or whatever.
And Philobolus is a great intro to dance since it. too, can seem like a magic event.

To each his own: I'm saving my Oak Room $'s for when my kids can enjoy what's on the menu instead of a really, really good plate of Mac and Cheese. Seems like there are some other "fancy" restaurants that would work just fine: Jarfi's, Primo, Saffron's, Blu, Proof (?), etc.

Artemesia might be a good choice, a bit fancier and trendy.

Jarfi's will be close and it would have that feel.

My kids love Bistro 301 and they are kid friendly.

I dined with my three, almost four year old at Proof on Main. The whole table, her included, split the octopus. Then she had some of my pasta with braised rabbit and some of my spouse's bison. Her tastes are a bit "old" for a preschooler.

The atmosphere is fun for children, and he might appreciate such a sophisticated, adult venue.

Although we asked them not to make a fuss and just bring a separate plate, the kitchen actually plated a portion of each of our main courses for her. They even cut the meat - a big help for me since I have my other hand full with my other child. They went above and beyond what we requested.

They have spaghetti on the menu, and I'm sure they'd be happy to make it plain.

Spaghetti Factory? Not local, but it appeals to kids.

I agree. Spaghetti Factory is definitely over the top. It's "fancy," has pasta, and I remember my mom and dad getting Shirley Temples for me as a kid, there, as well.

I dined with my three, almost four year old. The whole table, her included, split the octopus. Then she had some of my pasta with braised rabbit and some of my spouse's bison. Her tastes are a bit "old" for a preschooler.

I would like to take a quick moment to applaud all of you parents who are so open and encouraging with your children's eating habits! Too often these days kids are relegated to the unsettling "Children's Menu" (generally comprised of chicken fingers, grilled cheese and the like) and do not get a good stretching of the palate! Kids need to try different things, they need to be exposed to as many kinds of food as possible. Good for you and great for your kids!

Sometimes it backfires on you. When my daughter started grade-school the school asked the students what they would like to see added to the cafeteria line. Notes were then sent to the parents as to what their child had requested and whether or not they would be adding the suggestion to food selection. My daughter got a big "OK sure!" for fresh apples but a "sorry we cannot accommodate" on the steamed artichokes.