Warren’s seafood menu is extensive, but they also offer chicken, pasta and other entrees, as well as their famous salad bar, with more than 65 items. For the kids, equally diverse choices abound. Seafood lovers will go for the Captain’s Claws, two-boiled lobster claws which are perfect for those just trying the “king of crustaceans,” fried baby shrimp, or fish and chips. If fish isn’t a favorite, never fear--selections include a personal cheese pizza, hot dogs, burgers, chicken nuggets, chicken teriyaki, ziti with tomato sauce, or chicken pretzels--breaded chicken in pretzel shapes. A kids’ salad bar is also available, as is a wide range of beverages.

Families will also enjoy trying their hand at unlocking the treasure chest in Warren’s Gift Shop. Keys are provided to all, and if your key works, you can win a restaurant gift card.

Warren’s Lobster House is located on Route 1 in Kittery, right by the Memorial Bridge. Call (207) 439-1630 or visit www.lobsterhouse.com for more information.

Who doesn’t like pizza? For a great family night out, visit Flatbread Pizza Company on Congress Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Children will be fascinated by the huge wood-fired oven where they can watch the chefs expertly create and twirl the homemade pizza dough, then later remove the pizzas from the oven with giant paddles. Flatbread’s atmosphere is relaxed and casual, and it is a popular spot with families of all ages. Children’s drawings hang from clotheslines strung about the room, and the menu covers frequently are kids’ illustrations.

Parents feel comfortable knowing that great care goes into all the food at Flatbread. The vegetables and wheat used in the pizza dough are organic; the chicken is free-range, and only nitrate-free meats are used. Lemonade is homemade and sweetened with locally-grown honey. The cheese comes from local cheesemakers. There is no kids’ menu per se, but most kids will go for the herb and cheese pizza, or cheese and tomato. Pepperoni and sausage versions are also available, and Flatbread is happy to eliminate any ingredients that even a pint-sized customer doesn’t like. A small pizza can serve two adults, so plan accordingly. The lemonade is very good, but other beverages are available. For more information, call (603) 436-7888, or visit www.flatbreadcompany.com.

Dine out on Tuesdays at Flatbread and your dinners can help a good cause. Every Tuesday, Flatbread donates a percentage of flatbread sales to the charity of the week.

If your family craves Italian, head over to Dante’s Pasta & Vino at 320 Calef’s Highway (Route 125) in Barrington, New Hampshire. Dante’s has a true family focus. Owner Ariodante D’Antillo (known to all as “Dante”), his wife, Jules, and the staff, embrace customers’ families like their own. The restaurant itself is warm and welcoming, with photos of family covering the walls and the room abuzz with talk and laughter. Outside, there are picnic tables, a bocce court, playground, soccer field, baseball area, and bikes. “I have at my restaurant what I would want as a parent,” says Dante. “Grownups can relax and have a bottle of wine and dinner outside, and watch the kids play. The kids make friends with each other and have a good time. We’re informal here--our kids are running around, other kids are running around--it’s one big family gathering all the time. We just try to give people what they want: a place to relax, bring the family, have fun, and enjoy good food.”

Grownups will appreciate Dante’s extensive selection of appetizers and entrees, all classic Italian, made to order, and homemade at the restaurant, yet welcome the special children’s menu.

Dante’s special kids’ menu is aimed at children 10 and under, and every entree includes fresh veggies and ice cream with a pizzelle, or Italian waffle-style cookie. Youngsters can choose from a personal cheese pizza, macaroni and cheese, ravioli with meatballs, chicken tenders, a grilled cheese sandwich, and either spaghetti and meatballs or penne and meatballs. Soda, milk and juice are available.

For more information, call (603) 664-4000, or visit www.dantespasta.com.

For families, it really is “Mex to the Max” at Margaritas on Route 1 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (and Portsmouth Avenue in Exeter). The restaurant gives off a fun vibe the minute you enter with its colorful decor (even the chairs are painted a rainbow of hues and decorated with art), piñatas hanging from the ceiling, and upbeat Mexican music. Adults can choose from a range of popular Mexican standards, including quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, chimichangas and much more. Kids can be introduced to Mexican fare thanks to a special menu that offers items such as the Neato Burrito, a kid’s size burrito stuffed with your choice of beef, beans or chicken, covered with cheese and red chile sauce, then baked. The Kid Taco offers a choice of hard shell or soft, and can be filled with mildly-seasoned ground beef or chicken, plus veggies such as lettuce, tomato and cheese. The “Glad to See Ya Quesadilla” offers a flour tortilla stuffed with melted cheese, and chicken or beef. Children may also enjoy putting together their own fajitas, which can be made with chicken or steak, and come with lettuce, cheese and sour cream to pile on at will. If Mexican food isn’t on your child’s list of faves, Margaritas offers a Bandito Burger or chicken fingers. There is a great drink assortment, including Junior Smoothies in cool flavors such as strawberry, mango, banana, strawberry banana and pineapple coconut.

In the spring, plan to visit Margaritas on Cinque de Mayo (May 5th) for an evening of family fun. The waitresses typically give out leis, beads or plastic flower garlands to patrons, offer pop quizzes for fun prizes, and also chances to win a grand prize. Everybody is in a good mood, happy to celebrate and welcome spring.

For more information, call (603) 431-5828, (603) 772-2274, or visit www.margs.com.