...but not Tutta Bella

[equinoise]

We have some friends visiting this weekend from CO, and wanted to get them out for a memorable dinner Friday. We have two babies with us (under one year). Also, the couple we are hosting like eating fish very much but not mammals.

I called Sitka and Spruce (my first choice for this occasion) to inquire, and was told they have no high chairs and no "kid's menu." I recall from my last visit that they had not many if any tables that were larger than 4 but not considered communal, which the person I spoke with reminded me of. Although I was assured that they would abide "well-behaved" children, the phone conversation did not seem encouraging. Maybe they'd really prefer not to have kids--which I personally understand--but did not want to just say it.

Can anyone think of some place with great locavore-ish food of the moment that would tolerate two babies that I am overlooking at the moment? My top choices for this sort of cuisine (S&S, Crush, Corson, Tilth, La Medusa, Book Bindery, etc) just don't seem appropriate for our young ones. I was thinking perhaps sushi at Kisaku or maybe Monsoon/East? Would Local 360 work?

TIA

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La Medusa
4857 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118

Tutta Bella
4918 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118

Book Bindery
198 Nickerson Street, Seattle, WA 98109

[thevioletpear]

You could also try Nettletown! It's smaller but they have one high chair, and you can reserve a table if you have 6.
http://nettletown.com/index.htm

[klsalas]

On Capitol Hill maybe Ancovies & Olives. Lots of seafood. Great space and neighborhood feel. Not sure about high chairs but tables could accomodate kids in kid seats or car seats I think. In Ballard may be Staple and Fancy where they have booths where baby seats might be placed. Same thing with Walrus and the Carpenter. Mostly high metal backed bar stool seating but the wall seating has a wooden bench seat with a back. People are super nice at all three. Doubt they would give you grief about the babies -- especially at W&TC. If the weather warms up a bit W&TC also has outdoor patio seating at picnic tables with heat lamps.

[sweetpotater]

W&TC seems too cramped for the babes, but S&F is more spacious and there were two or three toddlers there last time I went.

[blue2000]

Went to Anchovies and Olives with our then 18 month old last summer. Very good food and as importantly, the staff was amazing at managing our needs. The kitchen is totally open so it's great fun to watch them prepare food (there is a little stairway to one side that allows you to have a birdseye view). The staff was just lovely. I think it would be great!

[mrnelso]

Art of the Table deserves a look.

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Art of the Table
1054 N 39th St, Seattle, WA 98103

[savvy savorer]

You could try Revel , they probably have high chairs and Toulouse Petite has no problem with babies from what it seems.

The new Serious Pie has high chairs and would be fine. since they have lots of room.

Vios is Greek food but has a wonderful kids area.

Bllackboard Bistro in West Seattle wouid be friendly too.

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Serious Pie
316 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98101

[equinoise]

Blackboard looks interesting, just wondering if their preperation skills are on par with Sitka and Spurce, Local 360, others?

[Tom Armitage]

I recently tried Blackboard Bistro, and the answer to your question about the preparation skills, equinoise, is no. It's an ambitious menu that looked interesting, but the execution left much to be desired. There is way too much other better food to be had (e.g., Sitka and Spruce) to warrant a return visit.

[equinoise]

Thank yo, Tom. This is what I feared. I went ahead and booked at Sitka. We'll see how the little ones fare.

[equinoise]

I wanted to report that the staff at Sitka and Spruce (and our dining neighbors) were very courteous and gracious throughout the evening. We were seated at a table in the corner with a bench that suited the little ones very well. And the food was spectacular as I had hoped, especially the sorrel sauced potatoes and the manilla clams with black rice and manti.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful input.

[Tom Armitage]

Good news. Now you've succeeded in getting me revved up for a meal at S&S.

[equinoise]

I could go on and on about S&S. I can't think of a more interesting, well-executed local/seasonal menu in SEA at its price point right now.

[terrier]

Local 360 will definitely abide but they only have one (1) high-chair for the entire restaurant. If the babies are significantly <1, they may be better off in their car carrier pods anyway, though. Only issue with Local 360 is their menu is pretty meat-heavy.

Palace Kitchen has gone kid-friendly, BTW. High-chairs & kids menu. The hand-cut buttered noodles are great and always a hit with our toddler.

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Palace Kitchen
2030 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121