Kid-Friendly San Francisco Dinner suggestions (But with no $$$ limit)?

[deadorinjail]

I know, I know, sounds a little cliche. The problem is that, having searched the board a bit, It seems like every suggestion is based on keeping it cheap. As I'm on vacation, I'm far more concerned with fantastic food that just happens to tolerate small kids, rather than the reverse.

Our hotel's in SOMA, so something over this way wouldn't suck. But I used to live here (Mission circa '94 or so -- it's a little different now, eh?) a zillion years ago, so I wouldn't mind taking the Bart or a cab somewhere (in SF, anyway) for something really special. Got meals to fill all weekend, so bring em on. Thanks in advance!

[wendy]

My kids are 2yo and 4yo and they can be picky and squeamish. For them, I like Pizzeria Delfina, Flour+Water, and Park Chow (okay, so this is not gourmet, but the food is quite kids friendly). We have been to A16 with kids too. They layout is more compact so can be hard for a squeamish/wandering kid. They do love the porchetta and the staff is very accomodating.

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A16
2355 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123

Park Chow
1238 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

Pizzeria Delfina
2406 California St, San Francisco, CA 94115

[waldrons]

Actually, since you're not talking about kids' menus, coloring books or other special concessions, I wouldn't worry about that factor and just find restaurants you like. All restaurants allow kids... the question is whether the restaurant fits your family's needs. And most restaurants tolerate well-behaved children.

Susan

[SFBelle]

I agree. My young daughter dislikes the kids menus because it's the same thing every time. Nasty chicken nuggets, pasta with butter and cheese, pizza or burger. She'd much rather order off the real menu and have a better dining experience.

Just about any restaurant in SF allows children (isn't it discrimination if you don't?). As long as they are well behaved you shouldn't have a problem. If they get restless, bring the Nintendo.

[waldrons]

I've had people tell me that in Hong Kong, many restaurants will not allow children. That wouldn't fly here in the States!!

[vulber]

Foreign Cinema offers a kids menu

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Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110

[Meredith]

I read an article about Zare at Fly Trap being very willing to go the extra mile to make kids happy there.

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Zare at Fly Trap
606 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

[whiner]

Slanted Door

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Slanted Door
Ferry Slip, San Francisco, CA 94111

[JasmineG]

Yeah, I've been to Slanted Door with kids a few times, and it's a breeze. They're very accomodating, they have high chairs for little ones, and it's loud enough in there so that any noise that a kid makes isn't a big deal.

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Slanted Door
Ferry Slip, San Francisco, CA 94111

[ceekskat]

Perbacco...great food, service. Town Hall...good food, my kids love this place especially the chocolate/butterscotch pot de creme.

[Pandora]

Anchor Hall is also very accomodating to children. I also second Aziza. If you're in napa at all Ubuntu was fantastic with the little ones.

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Ubuntu Restaurant & Yoga Studio
1140 Main Street, Napa, CA 94558

[ceekskat]

I think you meant Anchor & Hope...

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Anchor & Hope
83 Minna Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

[Pandora]

Whoops. Yes - Anchor & Hope. They were super nice, let us walk in without reservations on a Friday night after another restaurant (a much less expensive restaurant) around the corner was mysteriously "too full" to seat us.

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Anchor & Hope
83 Minna Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

[Cindy]

We've taken our two boys to Incanto with great success. Younger son is picky, so they made him plain pasta in butter/cheese sauce, but older son tried several dishes.

I would still recommend bringing something to keep the kids occupied while you're waiting for your food, as well as when they're done eating but you're not (small books, paper and crayons, Nintendo DSI - whatever works for your kids). :)

If you're inclined to visit the Napa Valley, we've also taken older son (10) to Bistro Jeanty and Ad Hoc.

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Ad Hoc
6476 Washington St., Yountville, CA 94599

Bistro Jeanty
6510 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599

[Euonymous]

When my kids were younger we used to go to Incanto and order them pasta with butter and cheese as well. Now that they're older (11 and 13) I'm always amused to see the way they tear into the long-roasted lamb neck, which is currently their favorite dish there.

[absc]

I'd suggest Nopa. Good food and drinks, also loud enough the kids could fuss and people would not notice. Delfina is also very good with kids.
My favorite nicer place for kids is Chez Panisse Cafe but that is Berkeley.

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Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709

Delfina Restaurant
3621 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Nopa
560 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[ML8000]

This is a stretch but why not try Aziza? Just tell them you're bringing kids and ask for a good time (6-ish) and an appropriate table. It's also moderately priced.

However if price and distance isn't an issue, I'd head to Los Gatos to Manresa and order the regular 4-course. I've seen kids in there, seemed to be around 10-14 y.o. Of any 2 star+ Michelin places, this is the most casual and probably the most kid friendly.

Might also check out The Dining Room at the Ritz Carleton. Good hotels by definition should accommodate kids well. Both Manresa and TDR are both on the high end.

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Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane, Los Gatos, CA 95030

[Ruth Lafler]

At my one and only dinner at the Ritz there was a family with a two girls (7ish and 10ish, IIRC). I remember because (1) they were all dressed up, and (2) they behaved impeccably.

[Pei]

I also saw a table with young children at The Dining Room, and they seemed to be having a fantastic time. Other than a few "Wows" and a squeal of delight when the dessert cart came around, they where quieter than most adults.

[lexdevil]

We took my son to the Dining Room for his 5th birthday dinner. It was over ten years ago, but I expect they're still great with kids. Tables are not crowded together, so you don't have as much worry about disturbing other tables. Additionally, they were very accommodating about offering my son items from their more casual restaurant's menu along with the regular Dining Room options. Being a hotel restaurant, they are very experienced in dealing with a diverse (but deep pocketed) clientele.

Over the years my son has enjoyed meals at Gary Danko and Quince in the City, and at pretty much all of the best restaurants in the East Bay. Oliveto, Bay Wolf, Chez Panisse, Wood Tavern, Dopo, Pizzaiolo, Sea Salt, and Lalime's are all fine with kids. In fact, when our son was 6 months old he received a kitchen tour during the New Year's Eve dinner. Most of the chefs and restauantuers in this area are very supportive of families bringing their children up to appreciate good food.

[JasmineG]

I haven't been to La Ciccia with kids, but I bet they would be great: the owners are so friendly and welcoming, I bet they'd be good with kids, and if you make a request for a table in a corner, it would probably work well. I bet Nopa would be pretty kid friendly, because it's so loud in there that any noise from kids wouldn't be an issue. I've seen kids at A16 before, and there are a lot of pretty kid friendly foods on their menu. Honestly, I think that most places in SF other than the super high end are pretty kid friendly, as long as you go on the early side: I'm sure that even Delfina would work, if you go early and if your kids are well behaved (that if your kids are well behaved qualifier holds for just about all of these). Many of the Cal-Italian places will be able to make a simple pasta if that's what your kids want, and have approachable stuff on the menu. Yank Sing is a good idea too.

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La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

A16
2355 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123

Delfina Restaurant
3621 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Nopa
560 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Yank Sing
49 Stevenson St Ste Stlv, San Francisco, CA 94105

[Calvinist]

We always go to La Ciccia with our 10 year old. He would be mad of we didn't take hm.

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La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

[JasmineG]

I was at La Ciccia with a three year old this weekend, and can confirm that they're great with kids. He loved the pasta with tomato sauce that they gave him, and his parents commented how much more they liked it than most places, because the sauce had a lot of flavor, and their kid does not like bland or toned down food. It wasn't spicy or anything, just good, and it was an interesting pasta shape. He also really liked their long cooked peas with pancetta, as did the grownups. They brought over a booster seat for him, which was great, and it was just noisy enough in there for his chatter not to be heard beyond our table.

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La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

[nocharge]

If you have meals to fill all weekend and money is not an object, you could do brunch at Yank Sing. You'll see lots of families with kids. Maybe dinner at Scoma's. They have 10 items on their children's menu and can't be accused of being inexpensive.
http://www.scomas.com/?page=childrens...

[celeryroot]

http://www.publichousesf.com/menu/
or
http://www.publichousesf.com/about/
Public House or Mijita
At the ball park. You might want to avoid game day or go after game started. Great food and out door sitting and very kid friendly. Not far from your location.

[Euonymous]

You might want to try Chenery Park Restaurant, located right by the Glen Park BART station. They're fairly kid friendly--in fact every Tuesday night is Kids' Night. It's not $$$, but the food there is delicious, especially the rack of lamb, the New York steak, the salmon with tat soi. I could go on and on. I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but their fried chicken (on Tuesdays only) is supposed to be spectacular.

http://www.chenerypark.com/about.html

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Chenery Park Restaurant
683 Chenery Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

[wolfe]

How small and how many?