A LA CARTE : CHILDREN'S MENUS IN UNEXPECTED PLACES.

Byline: Larry Lipson

Most of the restaurant chains are smart. They realize that they'll pick up a lot of family business if they cater to those with youngsters.

But there are some restaurants - expensive, ethnic or haute - where you wouldn't expect to find a children's menu.

Here then, are a few restaurants that may well be a surprise to parents looking for child-friendly policies:

Cha Cha Cha Encino

Address: 17499 Ventura Blvd., Encino.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: Carib-Latino.

Comments: Titled ``Para los ninos'' the menu is one-sheet offering of two pastas, two chicken items and one pizza for $5 each, and there's an ice cream sundae for an additional $3.50. Also has booster chairs.

Dar Maghreb

Address: 7651 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: Moroccan.

Comments: No written menu is actually presented at the table for either adults or children. The policy here regarding youngsters allows children under 5 to eat free and those 5 to 12 being charged half-price.

Gladstone's Universal

Address: 1000 Universal Center Drive, Universal City.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: Seafood.

Comments: Kids' menu is a one-page listing of four items (fish plate, spaghetti, cheeseburger, peanut butter-banana-jelly sandwich). Each is $5.95 and is served with fresh coleslaw, house-baked potato chips, soft drink or milk and dessert.

India's Tandoori 

Address: 19006 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. (Also in Burbank and Los Angeles.)

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: Indian.

Comments: Children 12 and under dine for as little as $2.50 per chicken tandoori half-order. There are also small-portioned items of chicken tikka ($2.75), sheesh kebab ($3.15), vegetable biriyani ($2), chicken biriyani ($3) and naan bread (65 cents). Children's Sunday brunch for under-12s is $4.50.

Lawry's the Prime Rib

Address: 100 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: Prime rib.

Comments: This famous beef emporium serves a children's cut (4 ounces of prime) for $12.95 in a meal that includes salad, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread and butter and a soft drink. There are booster seats, but no high chairs.

Pinot Bistro

Address: 12969 Ventura Blvd., Studio City.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: Californian-French bistro.

Comments: One-page menu with four entrees (chicken or New York steak and pommes frites, pasta marinara or cheese), four desserts and numerous beverages. And the best thing of all, there's absolutely no charge for children 10 and under when accompanied by adult diners. Both booster seats and high chairs here. (Similar policy at other local Pinots: Cafe Pinot, Pinot Hollywood and Pinot at the Chronicle.)

Shabu Shabu

Address: 13573 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: Japanese.

Comments: Parents swish ingredients (thin slices of prime beef, assorted seafood, a variety of vegetables) in a mini-cauldron of boiling, flavored water, hence the shabu-shabu name. Cost for children under 12 is $9.95.

Smoke House

Address: 4420 Lakeside Drive, Burbank.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: American-continental.

Comments: There's no actual printed menu, but the waitress explains the choices. They are hamburger with fries, fish and chips, spaghetti, fried chicken - each $5.95. For $1 more there's a top sirloin. Some items come with a choice of soup or salad. Booster seats and high chairs available.

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Photo

Photo: Cha Cha Cha Encino features a one-page children's menu that offers two pastas, two chicken items and one pizza for $5 each, plus an ice cream sundae.

Lori Valesko/Daily News