7 adults, 4 small kids & Pasadena

[thenextguy]

Can anyone recommend a restaurant that would work for such a group? If the place has a private or semi-private area (given the young kids), even better.

As for types of food, we're open to anything, although probably nothing too exotic considering the young kids.

Price: Not really an issue, but price is probably self-limiting due to needing a place that will accommodate small children.

[Vaya Con Carne]

I think Il Fornaio on Colorado is partitioned into several rooms. The food isn't bad for a chain, and shouldn't be too exotic for picky kids.

[Fru]

I would not consider it a "destination" but Green Street would be very accommodating for kids. http://www.greenstreetrestaurant.com/ They don't have a private area but they do have banquettes that can accommodate larger parties.

[Local]

in no particular order, here is where we used to go with the krewe...(most of them 7 and under)

Il Fornaio mentioned below would place us in a remote corner, round table...let the games begin. Lots of bread and pasta...kid-tolerant.

Mijares- they have picnic-like bench big tables, and a heated patio(s) and are kid-friendly, beyond kid-tolerant...put it this way, everyone brings their kids and sometimes it resembles a modified playpen...but not Denny's. Mexican combo stuff and quesadillas or lots of rice for the LTOs (see below).

El Portal - same as above, tho food is better and atmosphere a bit more gentile, except the back room...they have a big back room where they generally "place" the families with an abundance of LTO's (Little Tiny Ones)

Panda Inn - pasteurized Chinese, but usually fresh and also food that is acceptable to LTO's...they had the benefit of small 10-15 person private dining rooms that had big round tables....the kids played in the room, underneath the table...those still crawling could be let loose without sending the waitstaff into a crazed response...it was our fall-back restaurant just because it was so user-friendly with the LTO's.

may the force be with you

[Local]

here's locations

[Fru]

I would only go to Mijares under duress.

[Mr. Food]

Mijares, 145 Palmetto Drive, 1 block north of California, entrance on Pasadena Ave. Pasadena's oldest restaurant (1920), family friendly, great values, terrific food. The place where all of Pasadena's families go to!

[truetraveler]

We really enjoy Le Grande Orange!
Food is wonderful and the staff is amazing.
Not sure about a private room, but they do have a patio area if you want a semi-private area.
Check them out!