I was hoping to get some feedback regarding some restaurants in Marina del rey or some other options. The ones I'm considering are:

Benihana
Charthouse
C&O Trattoria
Antica Pizzeria

The restaurant will need to be kid friendly. Thanks!

I'd go to The Cheesecake Factory. You can sit outside look at the boats, and their menu has just about everything. The Benihana is a dump! Charthouse is old and boring and I don't know the others. Sorry!

I was at Marina Del Rey a few years ago, and I remember the best restaurant I've ever visited. It was The Black Whale. I don't know if it's still there, but it was amazing.

Check to see if the Cafe Del Rey is still there. It was just down the street from the Ritz Carlton. If so, don't miss the crabcakes with pink grapefruit sauce. Just a nice little place, not touristy, not fancy. Kids should be fine. Cheesecake Factory is a chain and is as advertised.

Like Cheesecake Factory, too. Kid friendly. The Black Whale is a funky pub not exactly in Marina del Rey. Why Marina del Rey. If you want ocean front go to Gladstones-4-Fish in Malibu with terrific food, waves crashing under your feet, seagulls diving down and really cute college kid wait staff. Get there early though to see the sunset, no reservations. Also open for breakfast which can be magic.

Cheesecake Factory - great restaurant, especially for a group since there is something for everyone - a chain - but be prepared for a looong wait in the marina. Up to an hour or so or more depending on when you go. You can look at the boats while you wait.

C&O - Right near the ocean not exactly in the marina. A very busy restaurant where they serve carafes of red wine, serve huge plates of pasta and garlic rolls, and the waiters toast while everyone sings italian songs. Very kid friendly. Pastas IMHO are so-so. But go for the atmosphere rather than to expect a fancy meal. Also prepare for a long wait - 45 minutes 2 weeks ago when I was there on a weeknight.

I agree the Charthouse is a little tired in the marina. Haven't been to Benihanas in years.

Don't know Antica.

How far out of the marina are you willing to go?

How many people? Do you need reservations?

Have fun!

Thanks for the responses! I was hoping to eat someplace other than Cheesecake Factory as we have them here in Chicago and was looking for something more local. I also know that CF has pretty long wait times here and since we're eating on a Sat night, it'll probably be even busier. I'm not set on Marina del Rey but thought it was an easy to get to location. My Grandma lives in Inglewood and that's where we will be starting from. Looking at the map, it looks like Santa Monica would also work or maybe even Malibu.

We're a party of five, ages ranging from 2 to 95 (2 kids, 2 adults, 1 senior). Reservations are preferred as Grandma will not be able to stand and wait. But it sounds like most of the kid friendly places are no reservations.

I would love to try Gladstone's but the kids apparently don't like seafood.

Is C&O along the lines of Olive Garden? If we end up here or at Cheesecake Factory, is there at least a place to sit and wait?

What time do restaurants start getting busy? If we got over there at 5:30, would the wait time be minimal?

Antica and Beninhana got shot down by my sister in law, doesn't sound like a good idea anyway after the posts above.

I haven't tried to make reservations at the C&O Trattoria but I can't imagine you'd have much wait at 5:30. I have gone w/young children and they enjoyed it--a fountain in the outdoor seating area intrigued them. You're also about1/2 block from the beach and the pier, and other shops and restaurants for strolling before or after dinner. What would be REALLY interesting, if you get there early, is to walk by Baja Cantina (can't remember the street--about 1 block east of C & O on WAshington Blvd) and you can walk along what is left of the original Venice canals with houses along both sides.

Hi,

The C&O can get very busy and it is loud--too crowed and too loud for Grandma. And the food is so-so. Forget the Cheesecake Factory if you have one where you live. Let's see, you could go in to Santa Monica and go to the Border Grill (mexican), or El Cholo.

More info for Carrin.