Mind Your (Doggie Dining) Manners 

Interest in Doggie Dining has been renewed after the recent success of Cucina d’Angelo’s Yappy Hour event- Chef Angelo offers smart tips for supping with pets 

Boca Raton, FL- On November 10^th over 100 dog lovers turned out with their furry friends for Cucina d’Angelo’s first ever Yappy-Hour event.  It was Chef Angelo’s way of ushering Doggie Dining into the public eye and illuminating the proper course both restaurants and their customers must take to ensure that pet-friendly dining is here to stay. 

  “We did a lot of research and planning before the event to be sure that Yappy-Hour would be both fun and safe,” says Chef Angelo.  “People have concerns about the sanitary aspects of doggie dining and rightfully so.” 

  Chef Angelo describes the measures that need to be taken when doggies are present at dining establishments, “There are a few things that need to be taken into account.  First and foremost is having your dog under control at all times.  All animals that dine at Cucina d’Angelo are kept either on a lead or leash.  Some of the popular, smaller dogs are okay in carriers.  Even while you dine your dog must remain either in its carrier or on the leash- very important to the safety of the animal and out of respect for other guests.” 

  “People should also be aware that at no time is it permissible for a dog to be seated on a chair or on the table.  First of all, it is not safe for the pet as any bit of excitement can have them jumping from their perch.  Second, there are obvious sanitary concerns about dogs eating from restaurant plates or silverware.  Your doggies are safest under the table- a treat they probably don’t get at home.” 

  Chef Angelo has been sure to instruct his staff of the safety concerns when serving those accompanied by their dogs. 

  “All my servers know that they are not, under any circumstances, to pet or handle the dogs.  They also wash and sanitize all surfaces of the table at which dogs have been present.” 

  Dog owners should take similar precautions says Chef Angelo. 

  “We offer waterless hand sanitizer for our doggie dining guests.  We encourage people to sanitize their hands before, during, and after dining for their own safety.  This is a very important aspect of doggie dining and people should never dine with their dogs without having available waterless hand sanitizer.” 

  Delineating dog-friendly areas in outdoor sections of restaurants is another key to successfully co-mingling diners with dogs and those without.  At Chef Angelo’s Yappy-Hour event guests were greeted in front of the restaurant and those with dogs were instructed to enter at a separate location from those not participating in the event.  This is important for the comfort and safety of everyone at the restaurant says Chef Angelo. 

  “We have clear signage at Cucina d’Angelo separating the dog-friendly section of the patio from the rest.  There are many people who enjoy al fresco dining, but choose to do so without their dogs so we continue to reserve half of the patio for those not wishing to be surrounded by dogs.  I would encourage all other establishments offering doggie dining to do the same so that all of their guests will feel welcome.” 

  The Doggie Dining Bill was passed by Governor Jeb Bush earlier this year.  It affords individual municipalities to offer a permitting process that would allow individual restaurants to allow dogs at outdoor sections of restaurants. 

  The issue of Doggie Dining has yet been taken up in Boca Raton, but those in favor of it are speaking out. 

  “I’m absolutely in favor of it,” said Boca Raton City Commissioner Mary McCarty in the Boca Raton News last week. 

  Boca Raton Mayor, Steve Abrams, has stated that “No one is clamoring for a change,” in regards to doggie dining.

  When contacted, Assistant City Manager, Mike Woika, has confirmed that at present the Doggie Dining Bill has not been added to the agenda of the City Council.