Real menus for children - campaign?

I went to wedding recetly, and while the adults had chicken breast with veg and potatoes in a nice sauce, dd was offered nuggets or sausages and fries. In hindsight I should have intervened and asked if she could have a small adults portion, but once offered she wanted the chicken nuggets. However, when it came she didin't really enjoy it and left most of it, she would really have been much happier with my dinner. More to the point, what sort of message is it sending, when adults eat a healthy balanced meal and children are automatically expected to not like that and prefer some deep fried shit instead?

Leon is my favourite for dc but as I say you dont want to dictate to people who have invited you out where you would like to eat, non processed non boring choices for children should be standard.

As the parent of a vegetarian child, I'd definitely support a campaign! It's nearly impossible to find something on a children's menu for vegetarians that's not either cheese and tomato pizza or tomato pasta. Pizza Express made a big song and dance about their "new" kids menu and it's still just margherita or tomato pasta (the one thing DS won't eat is mushrooms!)

DS is 6 and a fairly adventurous eater. He enjoys going out for dinner and trying new things and is starting to get really fed up of the boring offerings. When we do eat out now, I've started buying adult meals for him, just so he's got something a bit more interesting to eat but this is a) expensive and b) wasteful as he can't eat a whole portion.

Las Iguanas are going the right way, IMO, as they do offer some half portions of some dishes from the main menu. I'd love to see more restaurants doing this.

Goodest idea ever fuzz.
Went to a lovely Italian with the option of almost everything in starter size, with a smaller price next to the main meal price and it was the nicest meal I've had with dc.
I think we should add that anywhere inviting families with young children need small cutlery dc dont need to eat roast dinners off of teaspoons and obvs adult forks are too heavy.
I think its extreme to say 'dont eat there then' my friends are not that understanding that I am anal careful about what I want my kid eating and I dont want to demand we change venue so pfb can have non processed that would make me no better than Garath.

I think there are plenty of places offering lovely children's menus.

If you don't like the chicken nugget type places, then don't eat there. Presumably other people do or they wouldn't sell.

I very often ask if a place will do a half size, I've mostly had success - although some places are then a bit flummoxed as to what to charge - not sure why it can't just be half!
If the only thing on offer in a child size portion is crap like nuggets, then I'll either order a starter and a main and share it out ,or just order a main that seems like it will be generous and share it.
I really believe that the 'children's menu' should cease to exist and all food places should simply have a selection of meals which are easily downsized to a child portion.

A half size portion of just about anything on the main menu is all that's needed. As a parent I've never taken my children to a restaurant where there's nothing at all they will eat, if it can be sourced in small enough quantities - any restaurant that was that outlandish would be failing to cater to the average adult. We've been known to order three main courses between the four of us, and a spare plate. Or for DC to have a starter, perhaps with an extra portion of fries - if there are moules on the menu, DD will go for those any day. I've had some slightly strange meals where DD and DS can't agree, so I've had half of each of their main course!

I hate restaurants who will only offer nuggets/fishfingers/burger - it is short-changing us all.

I agree, kids menus need to be a lot more varied.

I am happy when I see Spag Bol for kids on the menu and really that should be a basic.

An ideal kids menu for dd wojld be
Chicken Dinner
Spag Bol or Meatballs and pasta
Ham and Cheese Quesedilla with a bit of rice and peas
Omelette with different fillings
Wraps or Pittas in different fillings with tortilla chips
Quiche and crudites

Yoghurt and berries for pud
Small bottles of water or milk.

I'm in. There's more important stuff in the world but it would be nice to see fewer 'junk food' options

My dc's pinch my olives . I'd like to see restaurants with child size portions of them.