To despair at the quality and choice of kids menus?

Yes we say this a lot, our little one loves veggies and is quite adventurous with his food. We tend to order extra for us order him a kids meal and let him pick what he wants.

It depends where you eat and what you choose, I always choose something that's a pita to cook at home, then you have things like the presentation, surroundings, being served, lovely dronk choices etc.

I seen a programme with Marcus Waring where he went to a primary school and seen how the kids behaved at the table and the food they were served (served being the correct word). Their manners were impeccable. It was in France of course.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing

I know what you mean. Thing is I don't really order things in a restaurant I could cook reasonably at home. Like I wouldn't order chicken, salmon, pasta, sandwiches/toasties, soup, stew.

It has to be something with quite a few unusual ingredients or be something I can't cook myself. Like something like rabbit kidneys, snails, stewed octopus, pheasant, lobster etc. or food like Indian, Thai or Pakistani where there's lots of different spices.

I'd hope my kids would try some of these unusual tastes. And if not then fine to have nuggets and chips!

Many years ago, in Germany, when I had a 10 year old step-son, we ate out a bit, when he was with us.
The family joke was "Chrissi, there is a children's menu" usually received with a snort of contempt.
He liked his food, ate what we ate, was interested in cooking. Why would he want some crap?
Smaller helpings, possibly, but not deep-fried nothingness.
I taught him how to make real bolognese sauce when he was 12.

From memory, I think Nando’s kids meals have vegetables.
As do Wetherspoons. In Spoons you can also add side salads / veg portions very easily.

Kids menus are often loss leaders to get parents in.

I read your OP and was about to say take them to Wagamama for the bento box!

My kid was like yours. I guess in reality most places can make a small portion of an item the adult menu if you ask, they can't make a cheap, bland kids meal if they don't have those things in.

Needs to eat out as his food allowance? That’s a very bizarre policy.

You could make most restaurant meals at home.

I don’t understand why they can’t just do mini portions of some of the stuff on the menu, or offer easy pasta/mild curry etc type dishes with some veg. It’s like things haven't moved on for years.

Village pub in Cornwall last night with my 4yr. Kids menu included an iced lolly (mango and strawberry). I was impressed as options included mussels, halloumi burger, vege pasta, chicken salad bowl or the ubiquitous chicken nuggets.
i recommend The Heron in Malpas!

I agree Mumsnet is not reality, most kids I’ve known would absolutely choose chicken nuggets and chips/ pizza on a menu supply and demand

Well, both "realities" can be true. My son will eat a wild diet at nursery, and eats Thai and Indian food at home if we make it, etc. But out and about, I have no problem with safe options - it can be important to get a meal into them sometimes. I wouldn't expect a friend to put their neck on the line creating something adventurous on a playdate!

But tbh as an adult I think that "oohhhh, we're so adventurous, such foodies" types tedious. I grew up in a rural area without many food options, then I ended up expanding my palate lot when I got older. The majority of children worldwide grow up eating the local cuisine only without their parents wanking on about the fact that "ohhhhh, they only eat Chinese/Ethiopian/Slovenian food".

Just buy them meals from the adult /normal menu ! Thats what I do with my three.
some restaurants even do a half-size and halt-cost adult meal or side dish if you ask them.

Mumsnet isn't reality. When I think of the kids who've come over for playdates, nearly all have wanted safe, bland food - burgers, sausages, pizza, breaded chicken, chicken burger etc. Mine aren't super fussy, we've always had curries and noodles at home (though less good with veg than the average mumsnet child), but on occasion over the years it's been good to see something they will 100% eat on a kids menu. This year my youngest is a preteen and wouldn't even look at the kids menu, so things change, kids change and become more adventurous.

It does annoy me that so many kids menus are the same. Daughter used to be delighted to see the odd spaghetti bolog on the list - but even then she couldn't be sure of getting a decent, flavoursome one, or a boiled down kids version that was basically just chopped toms and mince.

Agree, Wagamama’s is excellent and so well priced too!

You could share something from the main menu with your child.

I work in restaurant, we absolutely would not do half main courses for kids only because we can't put it through the till, however we can do creative things with the kids meals if people ask/want so swap chips for rice or kids burger for a wrap...beans for broccoli ect..

A meaty/fishy starter with a vegetable/salad side can be a proper meal, I used to do this when DC were kids.

Sounds like you need to research the kids menu before you go. Alternatively if your DD will happily eat the same food as you maybe seek out restaurants where they do tapas/ small plate type dining where instead of each ordering your own meal you get food for the table and just dish out DD a smaller portion than you and DH.

@maddiemookins16mum "In fairness to the restaurants, they are offering what is most commonly demanded."

Indeed. I'm afraid a high proportion of kids are brought up on chicken nuggets and frozen pizza in this country. Whenever I go back to Italy it gladdens my heart to see young kids eating raw shellfish straight off the morning's catch and loving it!

I am envious of all the adventurous eating non fussy kids. Mine are hugely fussy, even though 99% of what they eat is completely home made and I have tried a huge variety of food on them. Did all the 'right' things, eaten out from babies, always shared our food, never had baby or kids food at home they just 'ate what we ate' but slowly but surely they reject things until we have a basic menu of meatballs and pasta, spaghetti Bolognese, Chilli con-carne, toad in the hole, jacket potato with beans, (homemade pizza) and (homemade) chicken kievs. All of course only 'mums' recipe, change it up and its rejected. Leave the tomato chunks too big in the sause and its rejected, blitz the sause to make it smooth and its rejected, use a different herb in the kiev - rejected, too much spice - rejected.

Sometimes sausage and chips from the kids menu is a relief to me.