Anne L. Francis

Fantastic Food at Family-Oriented Bistro

Looking for an alternative to chain restaurants? If you're in the greater Boston area, take your family to Full Moon in Cambridge. This restaurant serves up great tasting food in a 100% kid-friendly, casual, café environment.

When you enter Full Moon, the first thing you'll notice is the noise level. It's full throttle l-o-u-d, a cacophony of shouted adult conversations and the hoots and hollers of happy children. Yes, kids are priority number one here: every table comes supplied with a drawing paper tablecloth, a cup of crayons, and a bucket of toys. And there's also a play area -- geared primarily toward younger kids -- with a train table, built-in kitchenette, and an ample supply of trains, pots, pans, play food, dolls, books, and puzzles.

Full Moon serves up some excellent European-American bistro cuisine for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Dinner entrées include a daily special such as cheese-filled ravioli in olive oil, deliciously fresh seafood in "Sea scallops, shrimp, haddock & mussels in smoky tomato-saffron stew with grilled bread & aioli" and their spin on the traditional steak-frites, "Grilled sirloin, blue cheese butter, arugula salad & fries".

The children's menu presents the usual suspects like mac and cheese, pizza, hot dog and fries, served with a side or your choice such as carrot sticks and fruit or green beans. Drinks like apple juice or milk are served in sippy cups for kids who need one (the server will ask your preference).

Both the children and adult entrées come in very generous portions. Try your best to save room for their freshly made desserts. Our favorites: bread pudding with maple syrup and fresh whipped cream, and warm chocolate pudding cake topped with fresh whipped cream.

Full Moon is open for dinner every night, lunch on weekdays, and brunch on weekends. The restaurant is midsized but spacious enough for strollers and infant car seats. Tables can easily be pushed together for larger parties. There are two bathrooms with changing tables. The staff is very friendly and accommodating -- they exude competence and caring in a high energy environment. Food is served quickly and with a genuine smile (they really like kids).

Bon appétit!

Full Moon Restaurant
344 Huron Ave.
Cambridge, MA
617-354-6699
http://www.fullmoonrestaurant.com/

Stars: 4 out of 5 / Price: moderate