13461 Tue Nov 09 15:50:20 -0800 2004 8 4 Pacific Northwest 0 27865 i have a few friends coming in this weekend and would like to take them to a good nw restaurant. one of them has 2 kids (3 years and 18 months) that will be coming to dinner with us and another friend requested something not too causal. any ideas? i thought of Jakes but not sure if kids are okay there. Tue Nov 09 15:50:20 -0800 2004 0 suki 1 27868 Tough balancing act. You're technically okay at most places in Portland. Jake's would truly be fine. I know my family has had meals at McCormick & Schmick's throughout the U.S. with kids in tow. But I probably wouldn't do Paley's, Hurley's, Lauro, Castagna, Caprial's, or Bluehour with kids. I would consider Wildwood if you could get a booth. I think they have a big corner booth. Not sure how many people total you'll have. A couple bistros may be a little casual, but good choices. Ken's, eg, on Hawthorne often has young families and Ken's young daughter often works the room. It's a bit of a diner feel inside, but the food is very good. Carafe is similar. I'd be tempted to do Fife with kids, but it's a open and sometimes noisy room. clarklewis is probably too busy and noisy. Higgins is probably too small, but The Heathman is a hotel, so they must get families in there. That may be a reasonable option. Just thinking out loud. HTH, though I suspect it doesn't. Tue Nov 09 16:03:05 -0800 2004 27865 0 Nick 1 27875 The Harborside is very nice and family-friendly. It is located on the waterfront with beautiful views from their three-tiered restaurant. They have numerous fresh fish entrees and if the kids get restless, someone can walk them around outside, there's always lots of activity going on there. Newport Bay, down a little further, it is actually a floating restaurant is also good, but I like the Harborside much better. How about Mother's? We were recently considering it with our teen in tow, but have opted for clarklewis and Hurley's for dinner. We'll hit the Bluehour for lunch on the way back home before the Zoo. Good luck and let us know what you decide on! ***kim*** Tue Nov 09 17:52:58 -0800 2004 27865 0 kim c 1 27877 thanks! i made a reservation at wildwood. i haven't been there yet so it will be good to check it out. i'll have report back next week. Tue Nov 09 19:17:53 -0800 2004 27865 0 suki 2 27880 Make sure you request a booth. Tue Nov 09 20:11:49 -0800 2004 27877 0 Nick 3 27882 Good suggestion, Nick! We were considering Wildwood this summer, but decided on Paley's so we could dine on their outdoor porch and keep on eye on our sleeping daughter in the car. I asked a guy walking into Wildwood how he liked the place and he replied, "this place kicks ***" I hope you have a wonderful meal! ***kim*** Tue Nov 09 20:48:11 -0800 2004 27880 0 kim c 1 27968 Ok this is my report on our dinner at Wildwood. There were a total of 8 of us (6 adults and 2 kids). They sat us down at our table the minute we arrived. Nick, we didn't get a booth because their booths seat only 6. But it didn't matter; the restaurant was noisy enough that the kids didn't bother the other diners. There were lots of other kids in the restaurant even though our kids were the youngest at ages 4 and 18 months. I had the pomegranate marinated beet salad and the Anderson Ranch Lamb Leg with wild mushrooms and shell beans with creamed chard and hazelnut bread crumbs. The lamb was cooked perfectly and the hazelnut bread crumbs provided some crunchy texture against the creamed chard and beans. We tried many different apps and entrees and everyone was happy with their selection including our 4 year old who finished all of her wild salmon (which she called 'the red fish') by herself! Wildwood is definitely a good restaurant to take your guests to for some good nw cuisine, kids or no kids. We also went to Mama Mia's for lunch…by default because Mother's was packed. The service was very kid friendly. The waiter automatically gave the kids crayons/paper and water in a plastic container with a lid. They also had a kid's menu. I would definitely recommend going there with kids if you're in the mood for some good Italian food. Mon Nov 15 16:55:44 -0800 2004 27865 0 suki 2 27971 Glad you enjoyed yourself. Thanks for reporting back. Mon Nov 15 17:15:20 -0800 2004 27968 0 Nick 3 27988 Big ditto!! I'm not surprised at Mama Mia's attention to the wee ones...Lisa Schroeder knows what she is doing... Tue Nov 16 13:42:07 -0800 2004 27971 0 Jill-O