Dining Out with Kids

Since this has been a pretty popular post, we thought we'd update it for the New Year. Thanks to everyone who helped contribute to our ever-growing list!

Like many families these days, we find ourselves grabbing lunch or dinner on the go probably more than we should. Of course all this dining out adds up after a while and has the potential to be a major drain on the wallet. Fortunately, there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants in Marin that offer free dining for kids—usually with the purchase of an adult entree—one or more days during the week. Here's our list, broken down by location.

All information presented here is, to our knowledge, correct at the time of publishing, but you should confirm with the restaurant just in case. We've included links to the restaurants' websites when possible.

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Brunch is a popular option for celebrating Mother’s Day. Here are a few unique options that are family friendly:

• The Club at McInnis Park hosts a Mother's Day brunch buffet from 10 am to 2 pm. Enjoy brunch right on the golf course and then play a game or some mini golf. The menu includes eggs benedict, eggs Florentine with smoked salmon, waffles, French toast, omelette station, carving station, salads, and desserts. The cost is $28.95; children under 10, $14.95. They are located at 350 Smith Ranch Road; (415) 491-5959.
• Deer Park Villa in Fairfax has a Mother's Day brunch buffet from 10 am to 2 pm. The buffet includes eggs benedict, honey-baked ham, salmon, chicken and crepes, salads, fruit, pastries, and desserts. The cost is $29.75 for adults, $15.75 for children between 6 to 12, and $7.75 for toddlers ages 3 to 5. Call (415) 456-8084 for reservations.
• Mountain Home Inn is having a Mother's Day Sunday brunch from 11:30 am  to 4:00 pm. There will be a three-course that includes champagne mimosas, shrimp cheviche, vegtable fritattas and rum and raisin cheese cake. Rustic and casual setting. Outdoor deck offers Marin's highest, most dramatic views. The cost is $32 for adults, $20 for children. It's located at 810 Panoramic Highway and the phone numer is (415) 381-9000. Reservations advised.
• The Pelican Inn in Muir Beach offers a Mother's Day carvery buffet from 11:30 am to 6:30 pm. Offerings include prime rib of beef, Loch Duart salmon, honey glazed baked ham, vegetable curry, scones, tea cakes, salads, and more. $34 adults, $17 for vegeterians and children 10 and younger. Reservations required: (415) 383-6000
• Rancho Nicasio on the Nicasio Town Square is having a Mother's Day brunch buffet from 10 am to 3 pm.  Some of the dishes include baked seven cheese tortellini, roasted meats, salmon, and cream cheese and mini bagels. Adults $26.95, seniors over 65 $22.95; children under 10 $16.95. They are also serving a Mother's Day Dinner from 5pm-8pm. For more info, call (415) 662-2219.
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It's been a few months now since the new Hamilton Marketplace shopping center was completed, and slowly but surely new tenants are starting to occupy all of the spaces. There are a few restaurants in the mix, notably the recently-opened Sonoma Latina Grill and Toast.

We had a chance to check out Sonoma Latina Grill for lunch the other day. It's kind of a hybrid Mexican/California place and definitely a step up both in price and quality from your typical taqueria. Quality of food is really the emphasis, with fresh organic produce, handmade tortillas, and locally sourced meats and cheeses being the order of the day. Sonoma Latina Grill's other standout feature is their wood-fired grill which they use to cook meats and their signature flatbreads. The restaurant is owned by the Tamayo family who run La Tortilla Factory in Santa Rosa. Apparently this is the first in what they hope is a regional chain of restaurants and has the well thought out design and stylish decor befitting a flagship location.

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I can't think of anybody who doesn't love going out to breakfast. It's a road trip ritual as well as just the thing for a lazy weekend morning. Besides, pancakes and eggs and all those breakfast goodies always taste better at a great breakfast restaurant. So our question to Marin Mommies readers is: What's your favorite Marin County breakfast spot? Restaurants specializing in breakfast are everywhere, from the old standby chains like IHOP to local legends like the Dipsea Cafe. So which ones stand out about the rest?

Let us know your choice or choices for the best family breakfast places in Marin by leaving a comment here. You'll need to be a registered user to do so, and if you're not, register today for free. When we get enough suggestions we'll publish a list of everyone's favorites.

Unfortunately, Playdate Café has closed it’s doors due to the poor economy.

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When you're just too fried to cook dinner but don't want to deal with the whole restaurant experience, that old standby, the rotisserie roasted chicken, is often a great choice, especially since its something that everyone in our family will eat. While most of the supermarket versions are, to put it mildly, unappealing, there are at least two great places in Marin that specialize in tasty roasted birds.

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We live in Marin's northernmost outpost, Novato, which is not exactly known for its fine dining opportunities, let alone decent restaurants where you can take children. So we were really happy  when we finally made it to El Encanto Restaurante y Cantina, located in downtown Novato on 7th Street between Grant and Novato Boulevard. El Encanto offers Mexican food, and is relatively new—it's been open for a little over a year—and occupies the space the once housed a Lyons, followed by a string of other unlucky, short-lived, and now-forgotten restaurants. read more »

I grew up in Marin and, amazingly, have never been to the revered Phyllis’ Giant Burgers until yesterday. Phyllis’ has been in Marin seemingly forever. Every time I drove through San Rafael’s Miracle Mile, I would pass it, but never stopped to try one of their so-called giant burgers. I always heard that their burgers were wonderful, so I though it would be a good time to try one. Now that they opened one in Novato, in addition to their long-time location in San Rafael, so I thought this is the perfect opportunity to try it out. I don’t eat a lot of hamburgers, so when I do it’s something of a treat and I want it to be a good one. read more »