An all American treat.

KEEPING the children entertained while eating out can sometimes seem more trouble than it's worth and that's where TGI Friday's comes into its own.

Every meal comes served up with a giant slice of entertainment, great for big kids and little kids alike.

The American theme bar restaurant with its distinctive red and white striped exterior is a shrine to retro memorabilia with the walls covered in pictures of people like Bobby Moore lifting the World Cup and groups such as the Beatles. Suspended from the walls and ceilings are BMX bikes and old guitars.

Everywhere you look, there is something different to catch your eye with the distinctive rowing boat - to signify teamwork - suspended from the ceiling, as in all TGI Friday's across the country.

The best way to start any visit is to sample a cocktail while sitting at the bar entertained by the glass and bottle juggling bar staff.

Even the children can share in the TGI Friday's cocktail experience with their slush blues being much nicer than the ice concoctions usually served up from machines. Once our cocktails were finished, we were shown to our table and given the extensive menu which centres on all-American food with lots of dishes made for sharing.

Visiting with my husband and our two children we started with the Times Square big share and chicken fajita nachos.

The Times Square included chicken wings, potato skins and mozzarella dippers with more guacamole and sour cream accompanying the chicken fajita nachos, which were all delicious.

I often think the starters are the best thing about TGI Friday's and sometimes I will have another starter, or appetizer, as they call them for my main but this time I went for the chicken quesadilla which was lovely.

My meat-loving husband went for the 12oz rib eye steak which he enjoyed and my children went for their favourites.

My daughter chose the tomato pasta and cleared her plate, I sneaked a spoonful and it was very nice - not bland.

My son didn't manage to finish his bacon cheese burger but only because he didn't have enough room left after his first course.

Whether it's burgers, steaks, ribs, chicken, pasta, fish or salads, there seems to be everything possible from American cuisine that you could want on TGI Friday's menu.

My children finished their meal with the dirt and worm pie - ice cream, with chocolate fudge sauce topped with chocolate and jelly worms!

The service throughout was very good, our spillages mopped up quickly. And most importantly from my children's point of view, they not only went home with crayons and a puzzle book, but also new red and white balloons each.

Should you feel an American moment coming on, TGI Friday's is still leader of the pack.

TGI Friday's, Newport Road, Cardiff. 029 2046 0123 TGI FRIDAY'S by Alison Young The bill One Times Square big share pounds 13.29 One chicken nachos pounds 8.49 One 12oz rib eye steak pounds 15.99 One chicken quesadilla pounds 9.99 One kids bacon cheeseburger pounds 4.99 One kids tomato pasta pounds 2.99 Two dirt and worm pies pounds 3.58 One brownie obsession pounds 5.99 One margarita pounds 4.79 One pina colada pounds 3.99 One bottle chardonnay pounds 15.99 Two slush blues pounds 3.98 Two slush strawberries pounds 3.98Total pounds 98.04