Like chocolate and champagne, well-behaved children are welcome almost everywhere. Most Boston-area restaurants can accommodate families, and many youngsters can be stunned into tranquillity if a place is fancy enough. If your kids can't or won't sign a good-conduct pledge, here are some suggestions.

The Bertucci's chain of pizzerias appeals to children and adults equally, with wood-fired brick ovens that are visible from many tables, great rolls made from pizza dough, and pizzas and pastas that range from basic to sophisticated. There are convenient branches at Faneuil Hall Marketplace (tel. 617/227-7889), on Merchants Row off State Street; in the Back Bay at 43 Stanhope St. (tel. 617/247-6161), around the corner from the Hard Rock Cafe; and in Cambridge at 21 Brattle St., Harvard Square (tel. 617/864-4748), and 799 Main St. (tel. 617/661-8356), a short walk from Central Square.

The Hard Rock Cafe, 131 Clarendon St., Back Bay (tel. 617/424-ROCK), and House of Blues, 96 Winthrop St., Cambridge (tel. 617/491-2583), serve music with their food -- and your kids will think you're so cool.

Another chain, TGI Friday's, 26 Exeter St., at Newbury Street, Back Bay (tel. 617/266-9040), made its reputation by catering to singles, and all that pairing off apparently led to children. Young eaters receive a kids' package with balloons, crayons, a coloring book, peanut butter and crackers, and surprises wrapped in the chain's signature red-and-white stripes.

The California Pizza Kitchen chain has two Boston locations, 137 Stuart St., in the Theater District (tel. 617/720-0999), and the Prudential Center, near the Huntington Avenue entrance (tel. 617/247-0888), and a branch at the CambridgeSide Galleria mall (tel. 617/225-2772).

The nonstop activity and smart-mouthed service at Durgin-Park will entrance any child, and parents of picky eaters appreciate the straightforward New England fare. Three good nonchain choices for kids are Johnny's Luncheonette, Jasper White's Summer Shack, and La Groceria Ristorante Italiano.

The Bristol Lounge, in the Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St., Back Bay (tel. 617/351-2053), looks almost too nice to have a kids' menu (with appetizers, plain main courses, desserts, and beverages). The unflappable staff is accommodating, and high chairs and sticker fun books are available.