EDMONDS – Bob’s ears perked up and he panted in anticipation as the server brought his afternoon meal to the table. By the end of his second course, he was standing on the table to wolf down his food.
Despite the white tablecloths, soft music and chandeliers in this restaurant, nobody took exception at Bob’s behavior. After all, it’s half-expected in a diner that’s gone to the dogs.
The Dining Dog Cafe &Bakery offers meaty main courses, a dessert tray and even cocktails like the “Chow Tini” – watered-down low-sodium chicken broth – for pooches who want a gourmet afternoon out.
The restaurant itself approximates a formal supper club atmosphere, albeit with tables and chairs closer to the floor and leash tether points sticking out of the walls. Owner Dorothy Moore dresses better than servers at most traditional restaurants as she serves four-legged customers.
“I wanted the dogs to be treated very well and fancy,” Moore said. “It’s a nice atmosphere for dogs and people.”
Health regulations prevent her from preparing human food along with the dog meals, but the restaurant upstairs, The Colonial Pantry, prepares take-out meals and two pizza places deliver to the Dining Dog so that dog owners can eat, too.
On this day, Bob’s owner, Joni Thomas of Mountlake Terrace, just sits back and watches Bob enjoy his repast. The 60-pound basset hound’s been here before, so he stares intently at the curtain hiding the kitchen space from the dining area as Moore prepares his food.
“He likes the hot dog appetizers,” Thomas said. “He likes those and the cannolis.”
In fact, doggie cannolis are the single-most popular snack at Dining Dog. Like many of the specially decorated cookies on display in the Dining Dog’s bakery case, they’re made by Paws Gourmet Inc., a wholesaler of baked dog treats, in Edmonds.
In addition to serving Paws Gourmet’s treats and Merrick gourmet dog food, Moore – who once was a cake decorator for Safeway – whips up her own concoctions. As with most of the other food she serves, her treats don’t contain wheat flour or other ingredients that would harm or act as allergens to some dogs.
Moore, who runs a dog-grooming business out of her home, said the idea for the diner was born from seeing similar enterprises in Western Washington. She visited a pet shop in Bellingham that had an eating area for dogs, as well as Seattle’s Three Dog Bakery, where dogs are allowed to dine outdoors.
She opened the Dining Dog, with help from her sister, late last year. The business is open afternoons and evenings on Thursday through Saturday only, as well as for special reserved events, allowing Moore to keep up with the grooming business, her primary income generator.
“This is fun to do on the side,” she said, adding that the diner is slowly building as a business.
In May, a canine fashion show and luncheon attracted 90 people to Dining Dog. The place also has hosted dog club meetings and private parties. Moore prepares dog birthday cakes for such occasions.
After a gourmet cookie to wrap up his meal, Bob thumped his tail hard on the table in an ultimately persuasive plea for a second cookie. Then he retired to a cushy doggie lounge chair in the diner.
Though she keeps plenty of spot remover on hand, it rarely is needed.
“All these dogs, when they come in here, are very well behaved,” Moore said. “They know they’re going to get taken care of.”
Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com.
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