Dining with canines

Who influences where we dine out? When couples get together, there tends to be one in the crowd with veto power. If that person does not care for the style of food suggested by the group, that choice is off the table. When vacationing, the dining choice can depend on many factors, from weather to location.

In Rhode Island, another factor has emerged. Does the family dog want to dine there? As of mid-July, the law is that restaurants with outdoor dining areas may permit their patrons to eat out with their dogs.

The law, first proposed as legislation by Rep. Charlene Lima, D-Cranston, reads: “[The owner of] a restaurant with an outdoor dining area may allow a patron’s dog to accompany the patron in the outdoor dining area during the hours designated by the owner.” The law would also require the owner to display a written notice “that is plainly visible” that the restaurant allows dogs in the outdoor dining area.

Incidentally, the dog owner, according to the law, “shall be an adult who is responsible for the behavior of the dog.” The restaurateur is allowed by law to “establish limits on the size and type of dogs and any other limitations relating to dogs that may accompany a patron into the outdoor dining area of a restaurant,” and it gives the business owner wide latitude to allow dogs to dine or not.

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This does not apply to service dogs, which are covered under a separate law that has been on the books for many years. The dog must be on a leash at all times with the patron at the table at which the patron is seated and the owner is liable for any damages caused by the dog to the restaurant or any other patron of the restaurant.

As in other situations, the hospitality community of the state has for some time been at the forefront of this opportunity to serve more guests. For years, individual restaurants have spread the word about being “dog-friendly.” John Elkhay, the owner of the downtown restaurant now known as Luxe Burger Bar, for years welcomed dogs and their owners to his outdoor patio. And dogs and owners taking their walks around Newport routinely found bowls of water outside the door of restaurants from Thames Street to Broadway, long before the canine welcome mat was put out statewide.

Earlier this year, New York City restaurants with outdoor tables became able to welcome four-legged guests. The regulations go a bit further than Rhode Island’s. For instance, dogs “that are licensed and vaccinated against rabies …” are allowed at participating restaurants, both indoors and out. That is not part of the Rhode Island law.

So how is it going? Are dogs and their humans flocking to local restaurants? It depends on the area. In the city, at places like Roma on Federal Hill, the feeling among restaurateurs is that it may take time for people and pets to become accustomed to dining out together. It is much the same in some suburban neighborhoods. At Basta in Pawtuxet Village, manager Alex Rosario says the house policy is to allow dogs under 40 pounds on the modern Italian eatery’s piazza-style, outdoor dining section. The expectation is that the village setting of the restaurant would invite pets and their people to walk to Basta.

Doggie dining is popular on the bay, however. The Gulf Stream Bar and Grille opened right after Memorial Day on the waterfront in Portsmouth. The restaurant has promoted itself as “dog-friendly” since opening day. However, it was not until the law took effect in Rhode Island that an uptick in guests with pets was noticed. “We do get lots of people who come because they can bring the dogs along. Seems to be lots of locals and boat people with dogs,” said proprietor Reada Evans.

But what happens when colder weather arrives? Will dogs be invited to come inside the restaurant to dine? And if the law is amended to be more like New York’s, will the host or waiter have to ask if the guest has a dog license, as well as a reservation? •

Bruce Newbury’s Dining Out radio show is heard on 1540 WADK-AM, wadk.com and the TuneIn mobile application. He can be reached by email at bruce@brucenewbury.com.

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