Kid-friendly in the East Bay for a large-ish group, early dinner on a Monday

[abstractpoet]

I'm looking for restaurant to go to in the East Bay this coming Monday night, before the preseason Warriors game at Oracle Arena. The friends we're dining with are visiting from the East Coast--they have three young kids (two of them under the age of 2), and there will be seven adults total in the group. So I'm looking for the best possible food experience, but the place needs to be baby-friendly and able to accommodate a fairly large group.

Don't know yet if we'll be driving or BARTing to the stadium, so that need not be a consideration, though obviously either way we need to leave enough time to get there. The game starts at 7:30, so ideally we'd like to eat at 5:00-ish, though I know a lot of places don't open until 5:30.

Also, bonus points if the restaurant is in a nice area to walk around AND, especially, if it isn't too far from one of the two Lush Gelato locations (I've been raving about it, and so they'd like to try it).

I did read through the great thread (http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/698291 ) listing all the baby-friendly places in the East Bay, but I figured I'd still make a separate post since there a few mitigating factors, as mentioned above.

Hard for me to think of a place that meets all these criteria. My two top choices, so far:

1) Dopo- This has been recommended by at least one poster as being baby-friendly, and obviously the food is great. It's also right down the street from Lush. But maybe the restaurant is too small to accommodate such a large group? Again, 7 adults, plus three kids (including two that'll probably need high chairs). Also, they don't open until 5:30, so that might be a little bit tight.

2) Chai Thai Noodle- Again, I've seen this place touted as good for large groups and for babies in particular. Love the food. Easy access to 880 to get down to the arena. Downside is that the neighborhood isn't especially pleasant, and it isn't close to either Lush location.

Other places I'm considering, most of which are missing at least one of my stated criteria above:

- Pizzaiolo
- Speisekammer
- Otaez (Alameda location)
- Great China: don't know how baby-friendly this is
- Corso: again, don't know if it's baby-friendly or if they can accommodate large groups
- China Village: kind of far--but so are Great China and Corso. I guess we'd be driving to the stadium from the Gourmet Ghetto Lush, unless we decide to BART it instead.

Any other places I'm overlooking? Maybe something in Rockridge? Something in Chinatown? Thoughts on any of the ones I've already listed? I know there are some other good options (Boot & Shoe, etc.) that are closed on Mondays.

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Speisekammer
2424 Lincoln Ave, Alameda, CA 94501

Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

China Village
1335 Solano Ave, Albany, CA 94706

Dopo
4293 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

Great China Restaurant
2115 Kittredge St, Berkeley, CA 94704

Otaez
1619 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501

Lush Gelato
4184 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA

Corso
1788 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709

Chai Thai Noodles
545 B International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606

Lush Gelato
1511 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709

[abstractpoet]

Dopo worked out well for our group. They were nice enough to seat us a few minutes before they opened officially at 5:30, and, amazingly, we were out the door by 6:30. The fact that we ordered family style really sped things up, though we never felt rushed. They pushed together three or four tables to form one long table right across the middle of the dining room, and I thought it was comfortable enough, even with the kids and everything.

Ended up sharing a veggie platter for 4 (chard and pink potatoes, polenta, and some chopped green that tasted vaguely Asian to me), two pizzas (a margherita and a sausage), an eggplant and ricotta calzone, and three orders of pasta (two orders of their standard lasagna, plus a gnocchi with a hen sauce). We told them to just bring each dish out whenever it was ready, which meant we had the vegetable platter first, then the pastas, and ended with the pizzas. Everything was great--I thought the gnocchi dish was especially tasty.

As anyone who's eaten at Dopo knows, the portion sizes are smallish, and I was worried it wouldn't be enough food for 7 adults (plus three kids who all seemed happy enough with what they were given--we were offered a plain cheese pizza or a simple parmesan pasta, but didn't bother). Fortunately, our friends had eaten a big, late lunch (and we'd just had gelato beforehand), so it worked out perfectly.

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Dopo
4293 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

[abstractpoet]

I guess I should have clarified that by "kid-friendly" or "baby-friendly", I just mean that the restaurant would be nice about accommodating us, and we wouldn't feel weird or self-conscious. The kids are young enough (and outnumbered enough) that whether or not the food itself is kid-friendly is of little concern. I wonder, though, if, say, Dopo, would do just a plate of plain pasta if asked to.

Some good ideas here--I think we're leaning toward eating in Oakland and driving rather than BARTing to the game. So I'm still leaning toward Dopo, which I called. They said they'd be able to accommodate a group our size. They have high chairs, but no booster seats, which is fine for us.

Anyone want to comment, though, on whether it feels too cramped to eat there with a group that size, especially with kids? I've eaten at Dopo a lot, but I'm having trouble picturing where they would put us exactly.

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Dopo
4293 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

[JasmineG]

So I have been at Dopo when I've seen large parties there (I haven't been one of those large parties, though). They basically set up one long table across the middle of the old section (left side if you're facing the kitchen) of the restaurant, with the far end of the table lining up more or less with the door on the right side (the table is horizontal). It has seemed to work well for the large parties I've seen there, but I agree with you that it would feel a little cramped with a large group and with kids there.

With the exception of the Lush request, I feel like Pizzaiolo is your best option -- they're very kid friendly, if you can get a 5:30 reservation it's fine, and they do a great job of making plain pasta with parmesean (my picky little cousin ate everything on his plate there). However, you would then have to repark if you went to Lush, and that is a major pain in the ass, especially with more than one car. I bet Dopo would make you a plate of plain pasta if asked, though; you could check with them, but I'd be really surprised if they wouldn't do it.

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Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

Dopo
4293 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

[Glencora]

I've seen a large group of kids outside at Dopo. I think it was a birthday party. If the weather stays warm, you could eat out there.

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Dopo
4293 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

[lucymom]

dopo is a great option too. the owners have kids. i've seen the chef carrying his baby daughter around in the kitchen. the last time i went i took my 3 year old. he ate cheese pizza. it's not a spacious restaurant but i've always seen a large party eating there. it's very family friendly and in my opinion they make some of the best pasta in the bay area. better than oliveto, delfina, a16 and spqr and quince.

[abstractpoet]

Great info! I'm feeling pretty good about this choice, and I think the nature of the menu (pizzas, pastas, veggies) makes it particularly well-suited for a big group that likes to share. I'm excited that we can probably come close to ordering one of everything on the menu if we want to.

If the weather is nice, I think our group probably wouldn't mind eating outside, but it's good to have the info about how they set up the big table. I think it will be fine, especially since my friends said their two babies are likely to just get passed around on various people's laps and probably won't even use the high chairs. So with just the eight chairs, hopefully it won't feel TOO cramped.

We'll probably head to Piedmont Ave. a little bit earlier in the afternoon and have some gelato as our "amuse-bouche"--that way we won't feel quite so rushed with dinner.

[mamachef]

Le Cheval at Clay and 9th in downtown Oakland is outstanding and sounds like it fits your criteria. They are open; they are close to BART (a short walk or cab); they can certainly accomodate your party; the food is always consistently high-quality. Sounds like Asian's not a problem in terms of preferences. It's not elegant, but it's attractive. It's lively, there will be a noise level but it shouldn't matter because of the kids anyway, right? And you will be well-fed. Probably not the fine dining experience you were thinking of, but really good food, and you will get to where you need to go on time.

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Le Cheval
1007 Clay St, Oakland, CA

[bgbc]

Cactus, hands-down.

Definitely open at 5. The big rush starts around 6 -- at that time there's a 10 minute wait in line for counter service and then another 10 minutes or so wait for food. But at 5 you'll breeze in and out. The majority of people eating in for dinner are young families. The restaurant has plenty of boosters and baby seats and a solid kids menu. Many of the ingredients are sustainable.organic.etc -- Cactus partners with Rockridge Market Hall across the street on some supplies.

BTW, ordering the (delicious) fish or prawns will make your wait for your meal a little longer.

Also, it's right at Rockridge BART station. You can park in the station parking lot for free at that time.

It's "kid central"; we eat there at least once a week. (Not sure if I should be embarrassed to admit that!)

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Cactus Taqueria
5642 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

Rockridge Market Hall
5655 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618

[Robert Lauriston]

If you want to try Lush, parking can be rough at most of the places suggested, but with Dopo you'd only have to park once.

If you're on BART, a Mexican place around the Fruitvale station would make a lot more sense than Berkeley or Rockridge. Then you could go to Nieves Cinco de Mayo.

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Dopo
4293 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

Nieves Cinco de Mayo
3340 E 12th St, Oakland, CA 94601

[Scott M]

A couple of other options

Five restaurant at the Hotel Shattuck Plaza
Gather

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Hotel Shattuck Plaza
2086 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA

Gather
2200 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA 94704

[myst]

Piedmont Ave might be the best idea if Lush is a must-do. You can walk around on the street and try Dopo/Adesso or Bay Wolf. Also look into Lo Coco's, Caeser, Gregoire, or Barney's (Gourmet Burgers and shakes - I go there for the coffee shake, by SO for the curly fries). I'm not sure if all of these are kid friendly. Lo Coco is small so would need to be early or reserve (if possible).

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Bay Wolf Restaurant
3853 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611

Lo Coco's Restaurant
4270 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

[Scott M]

There is a Lush on Shattuck in Berkeley, not sure why Piedmont Ave is best area to consider.

There is a parking garage close to Hotel Shattuck Plaza

[myst]

They are also going to the Oakland Coliseum and want a place to stroll. Piedmont is nicely located for all points.

[Robert Lauriston]

The Shattuck Avenue Lush is in the same block with Chez Panisse, almost a mile from the Shattuck Plaza. Parking around there is a challenge.

[Robert Lauriston]

I've seen groups of ten or maybe even 12 at Dopo and they're definitely kid-friendly. Give them a call.

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Dopo
4293 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

[lucymom]

I'd recommend Marzano in Rockridge. Near Bart, good walking neighborhood, opens at 5, great happy hour and they have a communal table that can accommodate your large group, although you might want to call them in advance. Also, super kid friendly.

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Marzano
4214 Park Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94602

[wolfe]

Kid friendly, Picante. Not a "great" food experience but probably better than some East Coast. Pretty convenient for BARTing. Also convenient to 4th Street.

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Picante
1328 6th St, Berkeley, CA 94710

[Gustavo Glenmorangie]

Convenient for BARTing? How so?

[wolfe]

About 7 minutes driving to North Berkeley Bart and about .5 miles from 4th Street with very little traffic.