Wine country with kids

[LeoBella]

We are headed in late August to wine country - renting a house in Glen Ellen - with our two kids 4 and 6. First time in the area.

Wondering where we can go for great food that will work with the kids? (Meaning, restaurant isn't uptight about having kids there, and not 3 hour meals...) We are open for lunch and dinner suggestions. Outdoor patios are often successful too.

Also - how about the wineries? Would like to visit a few, but am realistic that we won't be able to goto as many as if we were solo.

[wolfe]

Downtown Sonoma Mary's Pizza Shack and upscale but with a patio Della Santina also La Salette.for Portuguese.

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Della Santina's
133 E Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476

[vulber]

also, Cline has some goats out in back that they might like

[LeoBella]

Thanks for the ideas. Any italian (northern) restaurant recommendations? I am not opposed to taking kids to nicer restaurants either early or at lunch - they can behave pretty well. (We live in Chicago and take them out quite frequently so being in a restaurant isn't foreign to them.)

[Mariana in Baja]

It's been a couple of years but Breakaway Cafe in Maxwell Village used to serve very decent food - nothing innovative but darn good food and a decent bar and wine selection. Most definitely a place for families. I once ate there two or three times a month - they actually had good fish tacos.(of course that opinion was before I moved to Mexico). Also The Red Grape just off the square - again a couple of years ago but their pizzas and salads were very good and decent wine by the glass. The Depot Hotel is a family place for sure - again decent food but not innovative. I think they consider their food northern Italian. There is outdoor dining in the summer that is pleasant

[vulber]

definitely sonoma cheese factory. free cheese and fudge samples. the sandwiches there are just all right; i prefer the sandwiches at angelo's

[Kathleen M]

Sonoma Cheese Factory is pretty awful, although I suppose free fudge would be a draw for kids. Right around the corner is Vella cheese, who will also give free samples, and had MUCH better cheese.

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Sonoma Cheese Factory
2 E Spain St, Sonoma, CA 95476

[wolfe]

La Dee's and Fremont Diner.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/683957?tag=highlight-5754058;post-content-5754058#5754058
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/648790
Late edit, don't forget to pick or send for the Sonoma Farm Trails brocure.
http://www.farmtrails.org/

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Fremont Diner
2660 Fremont Dr, Sonoma, CA