My 2.7 y/o sounds a lot like your son. He loves standing up in the booth and talking to his neighbors. This kept him in a high chair until just recently. We will not use the restaurant booster seats. In normal seats he has to sit on his knees to eat, but he loves the freedom. He does want to get up and look around in a booth, and he wants to get down to wander in normal chairs. He likes saying hi to strangers and exploring. He is getting better however, and I will remind him that we can request a high chair if we need to. We tried no high chairs as an experiment at first, but now he is refusing to get in them. He knows now that he can go without. I find non-booths actually easier. I am more aware of my son trying to leave his seat, and he doesn't usually do that unless someone else in the family does. He also will start trying to explore if he finishes eating, but usually he is a slow eater and the rest of the family will finish before or with him. The worst part is when we are waiting for the check or for my older son's trip to the bathroom. In a booth I am constantly finding him in a conversation with a friendly neighbor or looking over someone's head. Considering the occaisional state of his hands and face, not a happy sight.