Metro Gusto on Battersea Park Road across from the rail station is a great option. The food is very good, they don't have a kid's menu yet, but plenty of child friendly dishes and they are good about special orders. They have some couches with games where the kids can play. We took our kids there for a family dinner, the food was outstanding and the service friendly.

I highly recommend it.

Lambert's in Balham has great food and is very child friendly.

The Avalon at Clapham South is owned by the same guys who own the Bolingbroke, does great food, and is smart but relaxed. They also have a private room upstairs with no room hire fee, and very reasonable set menus (£25 up) so if there's a gang of you it could be a good option.

For something different - if you would like to celebrate at home with your children and friends - Scarlett's Pantry could cook a special birthday meal for you all in the comfort of your own home.

It would be stress free and you could design the menu to include your husbands favourite dishes.

Check out my website www.scarlettspantry.co.uk

Or email me at scarlett@scarlettspantry.co.uk

Best wishes

Scarlett

Not a gastro pub but just to give you another idea....we went to Patrisey restaurant for Sunday lunch for my birthday. Its in the Hotel Verta next to the heliport which provided lots of entertainment to two little boys, and they had a pianist and singer. Kids eat free which is a bonus too.

http://www.hotelverta.com/patrisey_restaurant.asp

The Grove on Oldridge Road is good.

Not sure if its posh enough but Harrisons in Balham is nice. Hope he enjoys it!

Hi,
It's my husband's birthday soon and I wanted somewhere to go for lunch with our children....gastro pub style would be ideal.

Any recommendations for child friendly lunches / early dinners? (I was going to try the Bollingbroke as have heard good things about it but can't get in there).

Thanks!