What should kids eat?

Sit down at just about any restaurant and the children's menu you'll be handed is likely to be the same. The choices are generally chicken nuggets. Pizza. And maybe a grilled cheese and fries. 

Chef Ken Harper thinks it's high time for a revamp of the standard children's menu. He's the owner of Chop Chop catering, and also a father himself. He joined us in the studio on Monday.

While we were getting Chef Harper's thoughts on kids' menus at restaurants, we thought we'd poll you for the Ottawa restaurants that get it right. Here's some Tweets we got in response..

• @offhandremarks: Recommend the Foolish Chicken - even chicken fingers are real chicken not processed "chicken."
• @CharleneBside: Wellington gastro pub...Kitchen is very accommodating w/ kids. Took 6yr old DD there & she loved it. Reasonable $ too.
• @jimbryson: The Elgin St Diner staff are kid friendly possibly because they are used to all the 3am kids they need to handle.
• @HotelIndigoOtt: Hav 2 giv a shameless plug but Phi Bistro has a Grilled Cheese on the kids menu to die for! 
• @davidadair: Boston Pizza actually makes a decent attempt at a kids menu that puts a little more thought into it than chicken fingers.
• @QUOImedia: Cora's has a pretty good kids menu. 
• @DaniGirl: We're fond of kids' meals at East Side Marios, especially with Kids Eat Free on Mondays.
• @KikiFolle: Dim sum at Chu Shing. Small dumplings & an atmosphere where they can make a mess & make noise.
• @heathermarym: Not specific to Ottawa, but Lonestar has a pretty good kids' menu; options for picky eaters & those who are more adventurous.
• @intertiaboy: Cheshire Cat in Carp has made some nice additions to the kids' menu, including a kids' ploughman's lunch.
• @celebchefott: Love the kids menu at the Works!

If you'd rather make something your kids would like right at home, Chef Harper suggest good ol' Mac & Cheese -- but with a tastier, healthier twist. Here's his recipe.

Mac & Cheese by Ken Harper from Chop Chop Catering:

• 4 cups cooked macaroni noodles
• 2 cups bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 1-1/2 to 2 cups homogenized milk
• 1 cup grated old white cheddar
• 1 cup well-cooked white kidney beans
• 1 cup well-cooked steamed cauliflower
• 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• salt and pepper to taste

Combine all milk, cheese, beans, cauliflower, nutmeg and mustard in a saucepan and simmer for about 15 minutes.

Puree sauce in food processor or blender -- if too thick then add some more milk.

Toss noodles with whatever amount of sauce you prefer in a large bowl.

Place mixture in a baking dish.

Cover with a mixture of breadcrumbs, sea salt and olive oil.

Bake at 325F for 20 minutes. Insert a knife and test that the pasta is hot in the centre. Turn oven off and let stand in oven for another 15 minutes before serving.