Living in Southern Louisiana, where even the truck stops have award winning chefs, we eat out alot. This worked just fine when our son was small enough to fit in the infant carrier, we could rock him to sleep before the entrees arrived. Since he has started pulling himself up (and occasionally out) of the carrier, we have been looking for a portable highchair/booster seat in leu of using the questionable public ones. We also travel quite a bit by plane, so it needed to be compact and light enough to stick in a carry on. After considering the Graco Tot-Lock and Chicco Hook On Chair, we decided on the Inglesina Table Chair (also called Fast Seat).

Description:
This picture is of the newer model (we have both), the difference is a seat belt and a better quality fabric. There is also a Planet model with mesh sides, but it seems they would collect food. Basically, the nylon chair form has a stiff plastic insert in the seat and is connected to a tubular coated metal frame. The fabric is padded all round with extra padding around the top where the seat connects to the frame. The upper arms that rest on the table are rubber with backward facing teeth to better grip the surface and the lower arms are large coated metal hooks with plastic 'screws'. There is high back rest -nice for a 6 month old-, a waist safety belt, a crotch strap in the front dividing the legs, and a back pocket. The Table Chair is rated up to 35 lbs and is recommended from six months to three years old. Ours is a navy and ivory window pane plaid. I have never seen the color combination shown here, but have seen a small plaid in blue, yellow and red; solid red and red/grey combos and denim. There is even a mesh 'planet' model in neon colors to match the planet stroller line. I think the styles are more attractive then most. You can see some examples on Inglesina's site: http://www.inglesina.com/usa/index.php3?languageid=3

Connecting to the Table:
The Inglesina Table Chair holds on to the table by setting the upper rubber arms atop the edge of the table/counter and then tightening the end of the lower hooks to the underside by two large 'screws', thereby sandwiching the table between the two halves. It is very easy to screw the bottom hooks tightly onto the table and just as easy to unscrew them since the plastic 'screws' have small plastic fins you can push and grip with your fingers. (easier then the Chicco model) I also feel it's safer and easier to screw the legs to the bottom then using the lever on the Graco Tot-Lock. The Inglesina screws require less strength and give you greater control over how tight it connects to the table then the lever method. All three models are equally secure, the Inglesina is just easier to tighten. A big plus with using hooks instead of the longer lower arms of the Graco and Chicco is the Inglesina will fit on lipped tables and small breakfast bars the others won't.

Portability & Cleaning:
The padded fabric is a high thread count wipeable nylon cloth, sort of like windbreaker material. Although it won't totally repel liquids, it is machine washable. I have not noticed any shrinking. Removal from the frame is so easy that if the fabric becomes especially messy while you're out, you can separate the seat to bag it and deal with later. The Chicco model is much more cloth like, but I found it harder to remove and it stained easily. The Graco is easier to wipe clean since it's vinyl.
The Inglesina is by far the smallest to carry since it doesn't have the long arms. At approximately 15" x 14" and 4" deep when folded and 3.5 pounds, it's almost half the length of the others and half the weight of the Graco.

Overall we have been very happy with the Inglesina Table chair. It is attractive, safe and convenient for around town or traveling. I am surprised more stores don't carry it, but with the ease of ordering online, this is a minor inconvenience. Estyle.com, BabyBazaar.com, and Babysheaven are some of the online venues that carry it. We paid $45 for ours at a local baby store.

**One other note, Inglesina has had a recall on the older version without a safety belt. If you cut out and send in the back pocket as proof of purchase, they will send you a totally new table chair in the newer model - identical but with the safety belt. You can get more information by contacting Inglesina USA toll free at 877-486-5112. **

Recommended: Yes