Two family-style eateries are where animals roam

Esther's Bear, Water and Nature strive to balance the needs of adults and children for a harmonious night out, Wu Ni in Shanghai reports.

Bringing children to a restaurant is always nerve-wracking for parents. Will the dishes suit the palate of both adults and children? Will it have healthy alternatives for children who are picky about what they eat? Will the establishment's decor be attractive enough to divert naughty boys from disturbing other tables? Restaurants that are truly family-oriented are hard to find in China, but there are two in Shanghai that may be ultimate destinations for a family night out.

The Water and Nature restaurant is part eatery, part aquarium. Located near the Pudong New Area's Century Park, the city's largest, tropical fish swim in giant glass tanks built into the establishment's walls or positioned through the middle of tables.