TOP 10 FAMILY RESTAURANTS IN SAN FRANCISCO

(from the 9th edition of Weekend Adventures in San Francisco & Northern California)

• Though San Francisco is famous for its stellar restaurants, which tend to be expensive and oriented to adults, Carole Terwilliger Meyers, author of Weekend Adventures in San Francisco & Northern California , says, "It is possible to dine out with kids in this food-savvy city and leave with a smile on your face." Ms. Meyers says the ten best restaurants to visit with kids are:
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.  Based on the shrimping scenes in the movie Forrest Gump, this Pier 39 theme restaurant has magnificent views of the bay and serves up fun drinks, including several kinds of margaritas some non-alcoholic, good-for-you concoctions that kids like--a peanutty-chocolate Alabama Sweet Smoothie and a frothy pink Run Forrest Run. 
• Buca di Beppo  Kids grow saucer eyes when they find out soft drink orders include unlimited refills.
• Far East Cafe  Dining in these old-time private wooden booths is too much fun. 
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Manufactory  I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. 
• Hard Rock Cafe  Great burger and lots of squabble-drowning noise. 
• Hornblower Cruises brunch  After visiting the bounteous buffet, the whole family can tour the boat. 
• Mel's Drive-In  Kids love that their meals are served in boxes that look like cars, and teens call this place "cool." 
• Mifune   Easily digested udon and soba noodles are the house specialty. 
• New Asia  Kids enjoy signaling servers for more tea by turning over the lid on the teapot, and the dim sum here is the best.
• North Beach Pizza  A decidedly untrendy kind of pizza is served here in a relaxed, easy atmosphere. 

Copyright 2009 Carole Terwilliger Meyers