Dining pawsibilities for pups and people

A poodle, a Labrador and an Irish setter walk into a bar ...

It sounds like the start of a joke, but it's just another Saturday afternoon at Norm's Eatery & Ale House in Fremont.

Despite the state health department's restriction against having dogs that are not service animals on the premises of any restaurant, some places in laid-back, dog-friendly Seattle turn a blind eye to your pup's presence -- and in some cases, like Norm's, even roll out the canine red carpet.

Last year, state Sen. Ken Jacobsen tried to pass a bill that would have allowed well-behaved, leashed dogs in bars and restaurants, but even after being altered to allow dogs only in designated outdoor areas of bars and coffee shops, the measure stalled in the legislature, landing itself in the permanent purgatory of the Senate Rules Committee's "X" files.

Nonetheless, Norm's owner Steve Habecker, who named the bar for one of his golden retrievers, allows pups to come in with their people -- as long as the dogs remain on a leash and get along with people and other dogs. He said the bar wasn't created to be a dine-with-your-dog haven, but through word of mouth, it's become one.

"People would be walking by with their dogs, and they'd want to come in and have a beer," he says. "But we regulate it ... It's almost the same thing as with children. You don't necessarily want children running all around your restaurant either."

With dog art and statues adorning the walls and shelves, a Labrador lounging at his owner's feet and three more dogs sitting in their owners' laps at a nearby booth, it's obvious from the moment you walk in the door that the Fremont bar welcomes dogs.

Norm's patron Nathan Salmon says that's why he's there with his dog, Pawpaw Ganoush, a black Lab-pit bull mix, one to two times a week. "Well, that and the great happy hour," Salmon adds. "It's a great place to meet socially and have everyone with their dogs."

Norm's may be the only local watering hole that allows dogs inside, but if you're looking for a place to dine with your dog outside, try the patios at Portage Bay Cafe's University District restaurant for breakfast, brunch and lunch; and French bistro Madison Park Cafe for dinner or weekend brunch. With dog-friendly staff and beautiful outdoor eating areas, both eateries usually provide a water bowl for visiting dogs, but it's a good idea to bring your own in case theirs is empty.

Well-behaved pooches are also welcome in the outdoor dining areas of The Pink Door near Pike Place Market and Lombardi's in Ballard.

If you prefer to let your dog dine along with you, rather than just watch, Three Dog Bakery offers summertime events designed to feed people and their pets.

The Dine With Your Dog brunches at The Islander downtown, and dinners at the Barking Frog in Woodinville, offer a four-course meal for your pup that he can nosh on as you dine outdoors from the restaurant's regular menu. The restaurants' servers wait on you and your guests, while Three Dog Bakery staff members tend to all your pooch's needs.

The menus are designed just a few days prior to each event to ensure that all the ingredients are fresh and available. Past brunch items have included a Sweet Pug-tato Crepe, Fido Fritata and the bakery's Border Collie Bon Bons, Bichon Bars and Beggin' for S'mores for dessert.

Dinner fare is more gourmet, and has included Shih Tzu Sushi, Duck Terrier-ine, chicken liver pâté and Three Dog's Decadent Dachshund Cake, each personalized with the doggie diner's name.

Three Dog Bakery manager Jess Mooney says the events are weather-dependent, since guests and their pups are dining alfresco; however, she and her staff took a gamble at one of the events last year, during which there was a downpour.

"We served a four-course meal to these incredibly high-spirited people," Mooney says. "They're drenched, and the dog food was drenched. And we're all huddled around the coffeemaker. It was really a lot of fun, though."

Brunches are scheduled for July 20 and Aug. 3, 17 and 31, from 10 a.m. to noon. Dinners are planned for July 14 and Aug. 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. All breeds are welcome.

To reserve your spot for brunch, make reservations online at the Three Dog Bakery Web site. To make reservations for dinner, call the bakery at 206-364-9999. Brunch is $15 per dog and dinner is $30 per dog; proceeds from the Dine With Your Dog events benefit the Seattle Animal Shelter.

The Dining Dog Café & Bakery in Edmonds skips the people food and offers a fine dining experience just for Fido -- complete with chandeliers and soft music in the small dining room, leash hook-ups on the walls and a menu full of appetizers ($3), entrees ($4-$8), desserts from Paws Gourmet and even cocktails ($2; sans alcohol, of course), like the chicken-broth based Chowtini.

People aren't ignored completely: Dining Dog owner Dorothy Moore gives customers menus for the Colonial Pantry, the restaurant upstairs, and will deliver the take-out to folks eating with their pups. Moore also makes birthday cakes and ice cream for dogs, so your furry pal can celebrate his big day with a tasty treat.

The cafe is open Fridays and Saturdays by reservation only. After your pooch indulges in the cheesy hot dog bites, Swedish meatballs, doggy cannoli and an after-dinner treat at the cafe, you can take him to the nearby off-leash dog area at Edmonds Marina Park to run off those extra calories.

Regardless of where you choose to dine with your pup, be sure to keep her on a leash to ensure that she's under your control and doesn't try to help herself to your neighbor's food. And if you're unsure of a restaurant's policy regarding dogs, phone ahead to make sure four-legged friends are allowed.

Bone appetit!

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