Seeking Kid-Friendly Restaurant In or Near Santa Monica For Lunch on Friday for Party of 10, Including Younger Children

[califhomme]

Any suggestions for a Kid-Friendly Restaurant in or near Santa Monica for lunch on Friday? There will be four adults and six children, whose ages range from 11 years old to one year old (all but two are older than 7). I know there is CPK in Santa Monica and Cheesecake Factory in Brentwood, but are there any others I should consider?

[westsidegal]

not-so-good food, imho, but everything else will work for your group:

buca di beppoo.
cheap, lotsa food, VERY VERY VERY kid friendly
large portions.
nothing is too exotic for kids.

[Servorg]

Since the OP says in or "near" Santa Monica I say C&O Cucina as a much better option than Buca: http://www.cocucina.com/

[nosh]

Your answer is Fritto Misto:

http://www.frittomistoitaliancafe.com...

Convenient, good food, relatively inexpensive. Their pair-your-own pastas, where you choose a noodle and combine with a sauce, come in mostly at under $10, and they have a kids menu which will cut a few dollars off of that. Better food, and more reasonable portions, than Buca de Beppo, but still an appropriate and fun atmosphere for the kids.

[maudies5]

Farmshop has a kids menu but it is not printed.You have to ask your server to tell you what is on the menu. We have taken our grandkids there for brunch, not lunch, and they loved the pancakes, I suggest calling ahead and asking what is on the menu. Also, you will DEFINITELY need a reservation a couple of days ahead.

[archer]

Lula's in Santa Monica on Main St. is fun, festive, good for groups (they have a very pretty patio, not sure about heating though, but also have large, long tables inside). Tasty, well-prepared, solid Mexican food, excellent margaritas. I've been there a few times w/ groups of 10-12 that included very young children/toddlers. Seemed to work well for all.

[Dirtywextraolives]

The SM Place mall has some decent options with food most kids will eat, I have been to Sonoma Wine Garden, & Zengo. There's mexican at La Sandia, and pizza at Antica.

There's also Border Grill on 4th Street; Umami Burgers at 5th and Santa Monica.

[Savour]

We've had a lot of preschool dinner dates at Antica, and it's always a hit with both adults and kids.

[wienermobile]

If your kids love sausages like mine try Wurstkuche in Venice. They open at 11am daily. Very kid friendly in the daytime.
http://www.wurstkuche.com

[ilysla]

Bru's Wiffle?

http://bruswiffle.com/

[califhomme]

I did not realize Cheesecake Factory was gone...having eaten there many times during the last few decades, I'm a bit nostalgic in my fond recollection of eating there with friends and family.

I've been to 17th Street Cafe and while it's kid friendly, do you think it can accommodate 10 people? I recall it being a smaller restaurant with rather limited seating....Farm Shop looks great, but after looking at its menu, it may be a bit too upscale for young kids...do they have a kid's menu? I didn't see one online.

[Servorg]

Farm Shop does have a kids menu (as far as I recall) and 17th Street has a side room just off the main dining room that can easily fit your party.

[califhomme]

Thank you for that information. I will look further into both restaurants...appreciate your assistance!

[westsidegal]

kid's menu or not, Farm Shop is going to be expensive.
love the food.

[Servorg]

Cheesecake Factory in Brentwood closed about 3 months ago or so. You could certainly go to Tavern (basically across the street from where the Cheesecake Factory used to be). 17th Street Cafe is very kid friendly as is Farm Shop in the Brentwood Mart.

[latindancer]

Farm Shop is a great idea, in my opinion.

The food is wonderful, I remember a kid's menu. There's also a toy store to browse along with 50 cent kid's rides outside the store.
There are tables outside the shop and after eating at Farm Shop there's icecream at Sweet Rose Creamery.

[Dirtywextraolives]

Do they have a kids menu? I have yet to take mine there as I felt there was not much on the menu they would enjoy. And at those prices, I want them to enjoy it and eat it all..... ;-))

[latindancer]

I agree. :).

They offer a few things on their kids menu....small pieces of fried chicken w/ fries and a few pasta dishes. It's not an elaborate menu but with the choices and then a few side dishes it's definately worth eating there.

[Dirtywextraolives]

Good to know now, thanks!