Dog’s Dinner – London’s Best Dog Friendly Restaurants
The Riding House Cafe
London ain’t Paris. For one thing, there’s no Eiffel Tower, or Notre Dame, or people cycling around in berets with baguettes in their baskets (wait……that’s getting into massive stereotype territory). We are also pretty thin on the ground when it comes to dining establishments in London that are willing to open to their doors to our refined canine friends. Given that dogs are generally quieter and less messy than children, it seems nothing short of MADNESS. With a little help from our friends over at Squaremeal, we bring you the tastiest canine culinary experiences in the city.
THE NEW TRENDY: The Riding House Cafe, Fitzrovia
This all-day brasserie recently popped up on the corner of Riding House and Great Titchfield Streets, much to the delight of the nearby fashion and media lot. The Oxford Street area is slightly deprived of decent places to eat, so this New York style space fitted out with chunky wood panelling, tangerine and turquoise leather seating and white tiled bar is perfect for a lunch time nibble or an after work dinner and cocktail.
For those who can bear to share, choose from a selection of their small plates which range from a reasonable £4 – £6 each, including beetroot carpaccio with sheeps ricotta, spicy buttermilk chicken wings or slow roasted pork belly with cumin salt. If you’re more of a ‘don’t touch my food or I’ll snap your bloody fingers off’ type, opt for a hearty main of Lobster Lasagne, seared swordfish or sirloin steak with bernaise sauce.
Riding House Cafe, 43-51 Great Titchfield Street London, W1W 7PQ, www.ridinghousecafe.co.uk, 020 7927 0840 (Small, well behaved dogs allowed)
THE CANAL-SIDE CASUAL: The Waterline Bar and Kitchen, De Beauvoir
IF………..this late burst of warmer weather sticks around for a little while (God willing), The Waterline Bar and Kitchen is casual canine perfection. Previously an industrial warehouse in a once slightly ‘grim’ area of Regents Canal near Hoxton, the Waterline Bar and Kitchen has scrubbed up rather well. Taking advantage of it’s original industrial features, the bar and kitchen is a bright space with floor to ceiling glass frontage, bare filament bulbs and outdoor seating along the canal for some bird-watching.
The food is better than your average gastro-pub grub at super-reasonable prices. Mains include generous portions of steak, duck, lamb rump or seared salmon with fondant potato, green asparagus and red pepper coulis. Being the cultured lot they are, not content to simply offer us a lovely space to enjoy a drink and some grub, the Waterline also hosts regular nights including cinema club, live jazz and piano karaoke. Yes, you heard right, PIANO KARAOKE. Bette Midler eat your heart out.
Waterline Bar & Kitchen, 46 De Beauvoir Crescent, Hoxton, London, N1 5SB, www.waterlinebar.com
THE POSH POOCH: The Bluebird, Chelsea
Favourite of the West London lovelies, The Bluebird Cafe & Courtyard in Chelsea is the perfect spot for an al fresco lunch and a glass of bubbly (I always recommend bubbly….especially al fresco, but any time really). Nibble locally sourced British fare from posh paninis or go all out with a Bluebird Cheeseburger, bulging with English beef rump, cheddar, streaky bacon, coleslaw and french fries.
Bluebird Chelsea, 350 King’s Road, London SW3 5UU, www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk, 020 7559 1000 (Dogs welcome in the Courtyard area – the courtyard doesn’t take reservations)
THE SECRET SOHO: Andrew Edmunds, Soho
Blink and you’ll miss it. The totally understated Andrew Edmunds on Lexington Street in Soho is like the cool kid at school. It just does it’s own thing (they have no website or branding) but somehow everyone is magnetised to the nonchalant cool vibes they give off. Originally a print shop selling caricatures at number 44, Andrew Edmunds took over number 46 Lexington Street, turning it into a wine bar in 1986……..and thank goodness he did.
Totally unstuffy and unpretentious, Andrew Edmunds offers an ever-changing menu of fresh seasonal dishes on hand-written menus from Herdwick Lamb Chops and Braised butter beans to Wild Bass Fillet with artichokes and new potatoes. Their extensive (yet easy on the wallet) wine list is still a massive draw card, offering up some delectable drops from across the world. I’ll no doubt get hate mail from their regulars for revealing their little secret – great food and and excellent wines at reasonable prices…. IN SOHO.
Andrew Edmunds, 46 Lexington Street Soho, W1F 0LP, 020 7437 5708. (Small, well-behaved dogs are welcome).
THE SUNDAY BRUNCH: The Pavilion Cafe, Victoria Park
This is one of my ALL TIME favourite spots for Sunday brunch. Cafes in parks aren’t normally known for their fresh, tasty food, but The Pavilion in Victoria Park is an exception. Perched on the edge of the pond with it’s pretty fountain and (over-priced in my opinion) row boats, The Pavilion serves up an utterly AWESOME eggs benedict and a tasty menu of local, organic delights including burgers, pimped up sandwiches and veggie options. There are also often musicians down there strumming away which is always calming with a hangover.
The Pavilion Cafe, Victoria Park, Crown Gate West, E9 7DE, www.the-pavilion-cafe.com
DIG IN!
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