While it's always smart to call ahead to make sure a restaurant has kids' menus and high chairs, you can count on the following to be especially accommodating. Additionally, you and the kids might also consider Acme Bar & Grill; Florent; Artie's Delicatessen; and Churrascaria Plataforma for a Brazilian-style party. And don't forget pizzerias -- John's and Lombardi's especially.

Among the city's theme restaurants: for a T-shirt take the kids to the Hard Rock Café, 221 W. 57th St., between Broadway and Seventh Avenue (tel. 212/489-6565; www.hardrockcafe.com); young sci-fi fans shouldn't miss Mars 2112, 1633 Broadway, at 51st Street (tel.] 212/582-2112; www.mars2112.com), which boasts its very own theme-park ride and a video arcade that can keep the kids busy for hours (or until you run out of quarters); little groovy ghoulies will love the thrills and chills of the Jekyll & Hyde Club, 1409 Sixth Ave., between 57th and 58th streets (tel. 212/5419509; www.eerie.com); while sports-minded kids can drag their baseball dads and soccer moms to the ESPN Zone, 1472 Broadway, at 42nd Street (tel. 212/921-3776; www.espnzone.com).

Here are some other choices for the whole family:

Carmine's -- This rollicking family-style Italian restaurant was created with kids in mind. You won't have to worry about them making too much noise here.

EJ's Luncheonette -- There's even a kids' menu featuring peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches along with downsized versions of the classics. Order up a milkshake on the side, and your kid will be in hog heaven.

Good Enough to Eat -- Comfort food for kids like macaroni and cheese, pizza, and great desserts.

Manhattan Chili Co. -- Expect kid-friendly nachos, chicken wings, not-too-hot bowls of thick and meaty chili, and other faves like burritos and burgers.

Serendipity 3 -- Kids will love this whimsical restaurant and ice-cream shop, which serves up a huge menu of American favorites, followed up by colossal ice-cream treats.

Tavern on the Green -- Your kids will be wowed by the Central Park setting, and a children's menu makes them easy and affordable to feed. What's more, if the little ones get rambunctious, you just have to take them outdoors to blow off a little steam.

Virgil's Real BBQ -- This pleasing Times Square barbecue joint welcomes kids with open arms -- and Junior will be more than happy, I'm sure, to be allowed to eat with his hands.