Eating out may be one of the more preferred activities that families do together. While a five-star restaurant may not be the best place to introduce kids to dining out, several local restaurants make families their business.

One popular Bangor eatery specializing in Oriental cuisine is the Oriental Jade. Birthday, graduation, and family-reunion parties for small or large groups are one of the restaurant’s specialties. Private parties can reserve one of two rooms, one seating 50; the other seating 100. Often, however, small groups party among the other diners.

Restaurant-based birthday parties at the Oriental Jade can be especially celebratory, since the family-oriented management and staff remain flexible about what the party-goers want. Lilian Lo said her staff will “work with parents” to plan their party. Choices abound where guests may order from the menu, with single or separate checks, or plan a banquet buffet.

Bright balloons adorn tables adding a festive air. Small cake are available for a nominal charge; but guests often choose to bring their own specially-decorated cake.

With a 15-year history, Lo said the restaurant has “seen a lot of kids.” She recognizes some adolescents and young adults whose parents have “taken them since they were babies.”

Sunday is family day at the Jade, where free balloons and specials from $4.99 entice entire families to eat Chinese. Healthy low-fat, no MSG choices are always available. Only the freshest natural ingredients and sauces are combined to create a distinctive dining experience.

If your family just can’t get there, the Oriental Jade can bring its food to you. All menu items can be prepared as “Platters-to-Go,” and can, in most cases, be ready in less than an hour for pick up or delivery. Though the menu is extensive, custom orders are also welcome.

Call (207) 947-6969 for more information, or fax your order to (207) 947-7170.

If the calendar didn’t remind them, the Panda Garden crew recognized clues that signaled the last day of school. The restaurant readies itself for the annual arrival of busloads of schoolchildren and families treating the kids to a graduation dinner, Chinese style.

Though not many young children frequent the well-established downtown Bangor restaurant, teen-agers often try their solo wings there. Josephine Yao said 10th grade marks the rite of passage into restaurant eating sans parents. “Kids are big on the pu-pu platter,” she said.

She and her staff enjoy teaching youthful diners about some alternatives to commonly ordered fare, like sweet-and-sour chicken and lo-mein. Though some diners may be avoid asking questions about the menu or its offerings, Yao tells them, “Don’t be afraid to ask.”

Panda Garden also prides itself on serving families; all dishes are served “family style,” or a-la-carte. Each diner begins the meal with an empty plate that they can fill from the various dishes that are served and may be shared at the table.

A popular item with young children are the “kiddy cocktails,” garnished with red cherries and colorful mini-parasols. These non-alcoholic drinks include a Hawaiian punch, “Shirley Temple,” or any other fancy bar drink that can be made without alcohol. Little kids can feel like big kids when they order libations that look just like their parents’.

Panda Garden is open every day for lunch and dinner, except Thanksgiving; plenty of validated parking is available across the street. All menu items can be converted to take-out with a phone call to (207)942-2704.