Hi Dawn and welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
I'm so sorry you've been struggling to find an answer to your question but so glad you asked us! I can understand why you would need an answer to this question. Both of my children were picky eaters when they were younger. On vacations when my children were teenagers they still preferred items from the children's menu at many restaurants.
I spoke to a Cast Member about your question. The official answer is it is up to the discretion of the restaurant to allow (or not allow) a child age 11 or older to order from the children's menu. However, at most table service restaurants, we have been accommodated when our young-adult children wanted to order items from the children's menu. When we were paying out of pocket for a meal our servers didn't even bat an eye when my daughter would ask to order from the children's menu. When we were using a Disney Dining Plan, my daughter was still accommodated but they would bring her an adult-sized portion of the children's menu item she had requested.
The policy is different for fixed-price meals, character dining, and buffets. All those age 11 and older will be charged as an adult. I had one child who ate as much as an adult and one who ate as much as a bird so I always felt like it balanced out for us.
Lisa, I hope you'll let us know if you have any other questions we can help you with. I recently dined at
Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano and their food was fabulous. I hope you and your family are able to enjoy a delicious meal there.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Amy H.