When you sit down order an appetizer immediately and ask your server to bring it right away so that the kids have something to nibble on while they are waiting for their meal to arrive. Many places billed as family restaurants have a children's menu with foods that are sure to please but part of the fun of eating out is trying new foods. If your child is finicky and you are unsure if she will like any of the dishes on the menu, ordering a selection of appetizers will give her a choice of foods to sample. The best part of this strategy is that you get to eat any leftovers. You can ask to have a dish prepared in a way you know your child will like.
Some children hate sauces while others like sauce on the side for dipping.
You can also ask for a side-plate of the fruit the chef is using for garnishes as an appetizer for your child. Restaurants like Chuck E Cheese have a child-friendly environment but just because you are parents does not mean that you are condemned to eat in the middle of an amusement park until your kids graduate. At a grown-up eatery ask for a table near a window so your child can watch the activity outside or if the restaurant is structured so that the kitchen is open, ask for a table nearby so that your kids can see their food being prepared. Restaurants near parks or beaches are wonderful because you can go for a family walk and explore the neighbourhood before or after dinner. Boredom often leads to acting out behaviours, so make sure that your child is occupied throughout the meal.