Marina Restaurant for 80th Bday - with kids?!

[lanichan]

Gathering our small family (all from out of town) in SF to celebrate dad's 80th bday. Staying in Marina District and would like to stay fairly close for dinner. Want a nice bistro type meal (or Italian) that will work for all including kids aged 6-13 (casual better than fancy). What do you think of Cafe de Amis? Can you recommend other options?

[whiner]

I would go to A16.

For a bistro type place, Bistro Aix

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A16
2355 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123

Bistro Aix
3340 Steiner St, San Francisco, CA 94123

[Ruth Lafler]

From what I've heard, A16 would be much too loud for an 80 year old. Not true?

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A16
2355 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123

[whiner]

I think it depends on the 80 year old. Same noise level as most places, I think. Similar to Slanted Door or Piperade or Delfina or Fringale. Not nearly as bad as NOPA. Worse than Perbacco or certainly a place like Boulevard or Ame.

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Slanted Door
Ferry Slip, San Francisco, CA 94111

Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

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

Piperade
1015 Battery St., San Francisco, CA 94111

Fringale Restaurant
570 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

[Ruth Lafler]

Maybe you and I have different perceptions about what's too loud. Perbacco was borderline too loud for my parents when we were there, although that was partly due to the obnoxiously loud group at the four-top next to us -- I heard more about the one guy's daughter's pre-school concert performance of "Twinkle, twinkle little star" than I did the conversation at our table. I don't think of Fringale as being loud at all, nor do I remember Piperade being loud.

IMHO there's a difference between loud background noise like Slanted Door and a crowd of people talking/laughing loudly (on top of background noise). The latter is much harder to filter out than the former.

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Slanted Door
Ferry Slip, San Francisco, CA 94111

Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Piperade
1015 Battery St., San Francisco, CA 94111

Fringale Restaurant
570 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

[whiner]

Quite possible, also, it probably depends where you are seated. And on the nights you go.

[lanichan]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I love Chowhound. My family voted for Cafe Des Amis so we have a reservation there. Will let you know how it worked out and meantime, keep sending suggestions. Dinner is Sat. Aug 27.

[sf415]

See if Ristobar could accommodate your group. Great food.

[Robert Lauriston]

The back room at A16 might work. I think the main room's too noisy for more than four.

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A16
2355 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123

[bobpantzer]

What is the size of the group?

[lanichan]

10 total - 6 adults, 4 kids

[bobpantzer]

I like Cafe Des Amis a lot. There have been some chef changes there so can't speak to its current quality. It would be nice if you could get a round table for 10 people and they may have something like that in their smaller room up a few stairs from the main dining room--haven't been in there myself. Presidio Social Club might also be a possibility, though it is neither French or Italian. it has a fun lively atmosphere and decent food. Others in the neighborhood which you might check out are Terzo, Capaninna, Pane Vino. I think Ristobar could also accomodate you but they have a new chef since our last visit so can't vouch for it. Gamine has a small private room but I think it might only accomodate eight.

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Presidio Social Club
563 Ruger St., San Francisco, CA 94129

Terzo
3011 Steiner St., San Francisco, CA 94123

[pamf]

I attended a birthday party at Isa restaurant in the marina. They accommodated the group of about 15 - 20 people on their back patio. (It's enclosed). They call themselves a California bistro and have a pretty broad menu.