Restaurant Hereby Approved By Mom of a Two-Year-Old: Sammy C's in Coconut Grove

I live in Coconut Grove, and have lived here since before Elle was born. Greenstreet used to be one of my fave restaurants, because I love the loungy, outdoor, couchy atmosphere. Now? I view that place as a potential deathtrap, because it's on a very busy street. (Plus, their calamari tastes different, but that's another issue.)

Is it pathetic that when I'm mentally scrolling through the "where to grab a bite with the kids and Erik, that's close to the house, and serves alcohol" list of restaurants when I've had an long day, I readily choose the restaurant that has gated outdoor seating over the restaurant with better food? Because I often totally do. My Grove short list is Scotty's, Monty's, Chili's, Berries, and now Sammy C's. Mr. Moe's too, because of their rocking table contraptions...Elle is a pretty gawky toddler, so in the time that it takes her to get actually get down from one of those tables, we can easily grab her.
Here's the thing. Elle is a good girl. If she's done with her meal, or hasn't started her meal, and wants to stand rather than sit, or wander and explore near the table, I don't have a problem with it. But when we're eating outdoors, and the table is within a few steps of a busy road, of course I won't allow her down from her chair without holding someone's hand. And that someone is often me. And like I said, I go to the Gated Restaurant Mental List when I've had "one of those days." I don't want to hold her hand and walk up and down Main Highway twenty times on those days, I want to sit, drink a glass of wine, and watch my adorable baby carry on a conversation with the lizard on the rock right next to the table. Get it?
So. Sammy C's. GORGEOUS outdoor patio with lovely fountain (kid bonus), lovely landscaping, very good Italian food, reasonable prices, really nice people who were extremely nice to my daughter, and of course, fully gated. I highly recommend it. This place could offer my favorite pairing of food and safety in the Grove yet!