Kid-friendly in Yountville/St. Helena

[dbb]

Would it be crazy to bring a 4-yr old and a baby to either Ad Hoc or Martini House for lunch? Are there any other places with good food/atmosphere that would welcome a family of 4 for lunch?

This would be for a birthday lunch with hopefully amazing food.

Thanks.

[singleguychef]

I think Ad Hoc would be a great place for kids because it's family-style. That means it's casual and the food comes out in large platters for everyone to share. I think a kid would like that. Only problem is that the menu is determined by the chef so depending on your child's eating habits, he/she might not like what's served that day. In the end, just ask for extra servings of the dessert!

[jsaimd]

We took our kids to Ad Hoc. They will do a special kids meal - they did handrolled pasta for my 4 year old and plain chicken for my older son (who is allergic to pasta). But my son didn't touch the pasta, even though my husband said it was very good and it was child friendly. My son liked the main meal better!

Note that they do charge I think $20 or so for one child and full price for a second child (not that you have that to deal with).

Overall I would take the kids again, but I might not get a kids meal. I might just have them share our portions or just do one kids meal.

[Dan Wodarcyk]

Sounds like Ad Hoc would be a good choice. Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena, and Mustards in Yountville would accommodate as well.

[anamacbrat]

Taylor's Refresher is very kid friendly and casual. It's located in St. Helena.

[Scott M]

I have heard that Rutherford Grill caters very well to children. Not in Yountville or St. Helena but its in between the two.

[oysterspearls]

We took our five year old to Ad Hoc. She even had that days menu even though other menu options were offered by the server. Enjoy.

[cortez]

dbb:

Ad Hoc would be great but they don't do lunch. Martini House is a bit more formal.

For lunch with kids, I'd do Mustards or Cindy's Backstreet. Taylor's Refresher would also be outstanding.

Have fun.

[maria lorraine]

I'm very sensitive to our/others' children being able to be kids, but not being noisy or crying and disturbing other diners. So, given that, here are some ideas
for restos including some with great patios, casual places, and places kids might be comfortable.

The Martini House patio may work if it's a weekend and the patio is open -- not the inside dining room. Some of the best food in Napa Valley, and it's a great choice if you can be seated on the patio (which is lovely). Lots of posts about MH and the patio, a few by me.Check in with the restaurant and explain your child situation -- they are very well-schooled in service at MH and may have some tactics to make your family more comfortable.

Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen would work, and I love her food -- current thread on this resto too asking for menu favorites.

Casual restaurants in St. Helena (maybe not what you want):
I can highly recommend Pizzeria Tra Vigne (not the regular restaurant Tra Vigne) in St. Helena for kids. This is where a lot of St. Helena families take their kids (merely OK pizza and pasta but very good entree salads, killer garlic rolls, and one of my favorite dishes in the valley: the piadine). There are crayons and paper, pool tables (even the wee ones play pool), other diversions and lots of other kids, who all play together. Whereas other restaurants may be able to serve children and you'll manage, this place really works well for kids. Some of the most comfortable leather booths around, and the kids can easily leave the table and go play (you can always see you child). Bring a nice bottle of wine -- free corkage there. I'd also recommend Villa Corona, a Mexican spot on Main Street in St. Helena as a very kid-friendly place wth OK Mexican food.

Yountville: The patio at Bistro Jeanty might work well. I've posted on this recently. I haven't taken kids to Ad Hoc so I don't know but others have written postive things. That would be another great choice for food. Nothing else in Yountville comes to mind.

May I throw out a different idea? A winery picnic.

Do you enjoy wine or drink wine? If so, this would be my favorite overall choice with kids, but that's just me. I have often gone to Sunshine Market in St. Helena, or even some restaurant, and bought some very good gourmet food to go, and then headed to Pine Ridge Winery (wonderful wines), or Rutherford Hill (pretty good wines but an absolutely spectacular view of the valley). Those are both elegant settings. Pine Ridge's picnic area is under a beautiful grove of very tall pines, and has beautiful tree-swings, and the 4-year-old can be outside and wander within eye-reach. Rutherford Hill's view is simply one of the best in the valley -- it's next door to the world-class resort Auberge du Soleil. The tables are in an olive grove, and it's a lovely place to picnic.

Tips to make the picnic special: call the winery first, and reserve a picnic spot. I'd actually enlist the winery's help -- letting them know this is a birthday picnic. You will have to buy a bottle of wine. If it's an afternoon, I recommend the Pine Ridge Viognier/Chenin Blanc blend (very refreshing and inexpensive) or one of their Pinots but actually all their wines are good. The Rutherford Hill Reserve Chardonnay is good for an afternoon picnic. At both spots, you’ll have the chance to taste before purchasing —let the tasting room know of your picnic reservation when you arrive, and they’ll probably give you a sample of a couple of wines for free, since you’re buying a bottle. My favorite place by far to pick up gourmet picnic food is Sunshine Market in St. Helena (exquisite and small birthday cakes too), though Dean & Deluca also in St. H has some great gourmet things -- pricey, as you know, but maybe that's just fine for a birthday lunch in wine country. I like to bring my own tablecloth to dress up the table. The winery *may* lend you one.

Finally, not a picnic spot, but the patio at Mumm Napa Valley offers an expansive, breathtaking view of the interior of Napa Valley, and they serve wonderful bubbly (Happy Birthday!!), especially the late-disgorged bubblies. They serve some food, but please check the selection. The patio is big and outdoors -- and in the gallery next door is a permanent Ansel Adams photo exhibit and a rotating gallery show.

[dbb]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions!!