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Invitations went out to “VIP launch night of Bites and Bones” at the Bluebird restaurant in London. Held to celebrate a new dog-friendly menu, the event promised “doggie cocktails, canapés and goodie bags”.
The place is not alone. Rivington Shoreditch restaurant in east London celebrated the Queen’s birthday with the “All the Queen’s Corgis” event. Owners of real-life corgis, who showed up for lunch with their pooch received a free bottle of prosecco.
A few months ago, George, a members’ club in the capital held a special party to launch their new dog menu. The model Yasmin Le Bon and the shoe designer Patrick Cox brought their pets (Luigi and Caesar, respectively) to be the first to try the canine cuisine, the proceeds from which went to the Dog’s Trust.
The events reflect a wider fashion for owners to indulge their pets. Behind the doggie-menus at George and the Bluebird is organic pet food company Lily’s Kitchen, while “Bites and Bones” is sponsored by Pets Pyjamas, a “luxury pet lifestyle website”. What’s more, one woman is trying to raise funds onindiegogo.com to open a café where patrons can play with sausage dogs while drinking coffee.
Dog lovers may well see this trend as just another way to reward the unfailing loyalty of their pets. For everyone else, it might look like another step along the path towards the end of civilisation.
CENTRAL LONDON
Andrew Edmunds
Considered one of the last bastions of old Soho, this 18th Century townhouse has four-legged as well as two-legged loyal regulars. One for the discerning doggie, Andrew Edmunds is an atmospheric spot to stop at after a cultural walk along the South Bank and up through Soho. Water bowls are provided on request and your lucky pooch can even order meaty dishes off the normal menu.
Andrew Edmunds, 46 Lexington Street, W1F 0LWwww.andrewedmunds.com
After a turn around Regent’s Park, head south down Cleveland Street and you’ll find Newman Street Tavern, a very rural-feeling pub with a seasonal British menu. As autumn gets underway, game features heavily on the menu: expect new birds each week such as braised squeaker. Call in advance to get the best table for you and your hound, especially if it’s a big one. Water bowls are provided.
Newman Street Tavern, 48 Newman Street, W1T 1QQwww.newmanstreettavern.co.uk
NORTH LONDON
There’s not much that beats a blustery walk across Hampstead Heath on a winter’s day. Reward yourself after a long slog with your dog at this Edwardian gastropub in Highgate Village. In the summer it spit roasts whole hogs and lambs in the garden, but come winter it’s all about snuggling in front of the log fire. Here, your pet will be made to feel really special as the owners take photos of all their canine regulars, including house dog Sylvester and Kate Moss’s dog Archie the Anvil. Humans can tuck into warming dishes like fish pie (£14) while your four-legged companion will be spoilt rotten with pig’s ears and fresh water.
The Red Lion and Sun Public House, 25 North Road, N6 4BEwww.theredlionandsun.com
A stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath, the Bull and Last is a fantastic spot for a Sunday roast. There are always plenty of dogs hanging out in the bar area, wolfing down marrow bones and pig’s ears. For humans, we recommend the roast venison (if in season) at £25 or the roast rib of Denham Vale beef. There’s also a bloody good Bloody Mary for those walking off a hangover.
The Bull and Last, 168 Highgate Road, NW5 1 QSwww.thebullandlast.co.uk
Gaucho Hampstead’s Doggy Sunday Brunch
The Hampstead branch of Gaucho runs a Doggy Sunday brunch party on the first Sunday of every month. Two-legged types are served up a three-course set menu at £35, including a cocktail or glass of champagne, ceviche, Argentine beef, and pudding. Lucky pooches are given complimentary pet nutritionist-approved beef and chicken empanadas, a water bowl and a goodie bag to take home. £5 per dog is donated to an animal charity.
Gaucho Hampstead, 64 Heath Street, NW3 1DN,gauchorestaurants.co.uk
SOUTH LONDON
After a romp around Blackheath, make for the Hare and Billet, one of the most idyllic and dog-friendly settings in London since the 1600s. This pub prides itself on dishing up seasonal, rustic grub with a good range of ales and the game seasons brings rabbit and wild mushroom pie (£12) onto the menu. Water bowls for pooches on request.
Hare and Billet, 1A Hare and Billet Road, SE3 0QJ,hareandbillet.com
One of our top picks for a cracking Sunday roast, this neighbourhood pub has a villagey feel with a host of eccentric regulars and an open fire in winter. Most of the dishes on the menu, such as slow-cooked lamb shoulder tagine (£14.50), are made from ingredients sourced from the pub’s own farm in Hampshire Ask at the bar for a bowl to water your canine friend.
The Abbeville, 67-69 Abbeville Road, SW4 9JW,theabbeville.co.uk
Where’s my empanada? Two hounds waiting patiently for their grub at Gaucho Hampstead
EAST LONDON
E5 Bakehouse
This is no namby-pamby cupcake haven, but one of our capital’s best-loved artisan bakeries. Stop by for freshly baked bread daily, homemade cakes, and coffee. It’s hard to choose between the salted caramel and chocolate tart, pecan pie and ginger kugelhopfs (all £2.40). Dogs get water and even baskets for snoozing on the terrace.
E5 Bakehouse, 395 Railway Arches, Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PH e5bakehouse.com
Stretching out langurously across east London, Victoria Park is the perfect patch for a game of fetch. When you and your pooch need refuelling, head to The Kenton, a friendly, Norwegian-run pub on the edge of the park. As well we a the usual suspects like wine and beer it serves great cocktails and a fine selection of food by Street Feast regulars Yum Jungle. On Mondays you’ll find exotic Sri Lankan curries (£6.95) and on Sundays full roast dinners (£12.95). Canine accomplices are greeted with biscuits and fresh water upon arrival.
38 Kenton Road, E9 7AB, kentonpub.co.uk
The Price Arthur
Chase a ball around London Fields, have a game of ping-pong or even a dip in the lido (it’s heated all year round) before making the short walk to refurbed old boozer The Prince Arthur. The pub pulls in a loyal neighbourhood crowd — you’d be wise to book for Sunday lunch — and sources its seasonal food from select quality farms. Its three-course Christmas menu (£29.50), includes Yorkshire venison as a starter and rabbit and wood pigeon terrine and free range Lincolnshire turkey as mains. A bowl of water for your furry friend is always on offer.
95 Forest Road, E8 3BH, theprincearthurlondonfields.com
This seat’s taken: a daschund guards his stool down the pub
WEST LONDON
After a few laps of the King’s Road catwalk, take a break at The Builders Arms in the shadow of St Luke’s Church. This colourful gastropub always seems to be lined with glossy labradors and their equally glossy owners. Dog bowls and biscuits are happily provided for your dog. The menus change often but for dinner we suggest the smoked duck breast followed by the steamed Cornish mussels, accompanied by something soothing from the wine list.
13 Britten Street, SW3 3TY, geronimo-inns.co.uk/thebuildersarms
Outsider Tart
Outsider Tart is an authentic American bakeshop and café devoted to all things sweet and yummy. A couple of guys from New York decided to bring Londoners good wholesome cupcakes, sweet pies, and fresh tarts. Each day, they have at least five different types and flavours of brownies, cookies, bars, and cupcakes. The bakery offers yummy treats for your pooch too, including beef biscuits (£4.50) and puppy granola (£6). We recommend an amble around St Peter’s Square — a lovely oasis of 19th century houses — or Chiswick Common to earn your treats.
Outsider Tart, 83 Chiswick High Road, W4 2EF, outsidertart.com
After a riverside walk from Hammersmith Bridge to Barnes Bridge or a longer canter around Richmond Park, end up at the independently owned Brown Dog,which is tucked away in the back streets of Barnes. Hearty fare here includes cask ales sourced from local brewers and Dorset rose veal T-bone steaks (£19.50).Four-legged friends receive a warm welcome too, with treats like pig’s ears and a bowl of water.
Brown Dog, 28 Cross Street, SW13 0AP, thebrowndog.co.uk
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