Bite to eat with kids..........?

We've got friends visiting this evening and we want to go out for a bite to eat, and they have a 3 year old who will want to run about. Any ideas for a place that's got some outside area? I just can't think of any place suitable - none of the places in Shad Thames by the river let kids in the outside areas.

Browns is very child-friendly (they've even introduced a children's menu). Do they not let children sit outside? It's always full of them inside.

Also La Lanterna - one night last summer I dined in the courtyard and there was a small child running around.

If a three year old wants to run around then perhaps a park and not a restaurant is the place to go?

what about a pub that does food with a beer garden-the Horseshoe (i think it was called the one where the folk music was on)off weston street had a beer garden or one of the pubs on the river like the Founders Arms or Cafe Rouge in Hays- mind you cannot vouch for the quality of the food in these places!!

Strada is More London has an outside area which may be suitable.