“Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.”
― Dean Koontz, A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog
When I was out at the dog park the other day, I took a moment, looked up at the beautiful, cloudless blue sky, and said a silent “thank you” for the privilege of living in such an amazing place. The ability to enjoy the outdoors almost all year round is truly a gift. As I looked at the adorable pooches running around the park, I decided my next blog HAD to be about where I could enjoy a meal outside in the lovely weather with these sweet fur babies right beside me. I set about asking some long-time residents and doing some online searches, and came up with some great options. Hope you're hungry!
Ladera Shopping Center
3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley
Ladera Shopping Center is located right near Highway 280, but you wouldn't know it from the quaint appearance and serenity of the place. It's a bit rustic, with cute little shops, a beautiful market, several great restaurants and a coffee shop. On any given day, you will see people sitting outside on the various patios, enjoying a meal with friends, family, and, of course, their dogs. I vow to try all of the eateries there, and my boss says you can't go wrong with any of them. Seafood, Mexican, Italian, they've got it. I wanna try them all, but for now I have only been to Portola Kitchen. It's yummy, y'all. They always bring you out some amazing crusty bread to gnaw on while you contemplate your main dish options. Their menu boasts pastas, pizzas, salads, sandwiches, burgers....in other words, all the good stuff. Portola Kitchen has a number of patio tables in the shade, underneath an awning, with a fun view of passers-by....perfect for people and dog watching. If you go, see if you can get Marco to wait on you; a genuine Italian server who goes out of his way to accommodate, Marco never disappoints. When we were there last, he even brought water for the dog. She was more interested in begging for food, of course, but at least she wasn't thirsty!
Left Bank Brasserie
635 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park
If you are into fancy French fare without needing a fancy outfit, then the Left Bank is for you. Open for brunch, lunch, dinner, and most importantly, Happy Hour, the Left Bank has all the French cuisine you can handle-- and YES, that includes escargot! Hey, don't knock it till you try it. Anything covered in that much butter and garlic has to be good, right? I ordered the Croque Poulet on my visit, which is really just a fancy chicken sandwich, but it was very nice. Now I'm going back and counting the number of times I've said “fancy” (there's one more), but seriously, French= fancy, am I right? The great thing about the Left Bank is that they have outdoor seating so you can enjoy your fancy meal with your fur baby by your side (and it doesn't have to be a fancy French poodle either...see what I did there? We're owning the fancy!). Being in the heart of downtown Menlo Park, the Left Bank's outdoor patio will provide plenty of people watching entertainment. It's also a great area to walk off all that butter with your dog after your meal is over. Bon appetit!
Bagel Street Cafe
746 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park
Bagel Street Cafe is a cute little bagel and sandwich place in downtown Menlo Park. Each and every time I have been there, the staff has been very friendly and welcoming. They have great bagels and bagel sandwiches that are LOADED with goodies. You will definitely not be hungry after indulging in one of their sammies! Bagel Street also has a few paninis, salads, and lots of great coffee options. It's a perfect place for a casual breakfast or lunch when you just want to order at the counter and not fuss with waitstaff and tipping. There are a couple of little tables outside where you and your dog can sit and enjoy California life. Carb it up!
Cafe Borrone
1010 El Camino, Menlo Park
I have not yet visited Cafe Borrone, but after reading the menu, it's on my to do list. I DO, however, have it on good authority that they have great coffee and food. Cafe Borrone, per their web site, strives to use local, organic, ingredients and sustainable seafood. Sounds good to me. Cafe Borrone is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, has an extensive coffee selection, and offers beer and wine, as well. Although you have to wait in line to order your food, they do have a sizable patio bearing numerous tables with umbrellas for al fresco dining. This would be a fantastic place to hang out with your dog and enjoy some good eats. My stomach is actually growling now!
Max's Opera Cafe
711 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto
I have it on good authority from a long-time Palo Alto resident that Max's is a fantastic place to eat, drink wine, and be merry with your dog. Great food, wine, and your fur baby? Does it get better than that? I doubt it. When I went to look at their menus, I was overwhelmed and amazed at how many choices there were. Soups, salads, hot sandwiches, pasta, seafood, steak.....someone take me to Max's, quick! Their outdoor seating area is shaded by awnings and umbrellas, and is furnished with upscale outdoor tables and chairs. No hard iron seats for your tushy....no, you'll be comfy in their nice wicker chairs. Winner, winner, all-the-things-for-dinner!
Joanie's Cafe
405 South California Avenue, Palo Alto
If you're looking for a good breakfast or brunch, Joanie's could very well be the place, since they were voted “Best Breakfast in Palo Alto” from 2012-2015. Not too shabby. They've got the usual breakfast fare of egg and pancake dishes, plus crepes and eggs Benedict, as well. Oooh, la la! Not a breakfast person? Joanie's also serves lunch, including hot entrees, hot sandwiches, and salads. My source says that not only is the food great, but that if you are sitting outside with your pup, they have outdoor heaters for our cooler Cali weather. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy about Joanie's right about now. Oh, and I'm really craving some brunch.....
So now that I've blogged about all of these fantastic dog friendly restaurants, I'm thinking that all of our Tails Up outings should include a meal out! Anyone else famished now? Off to scrounge up some grub...
― Dean Koontz, A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog
When I was out at the dog park the other day, I took a moment, looked up at the beautiful, cloudless blue sky, and said a silent “thank you” for the privilege of living in such an amazing place. The ability to enjoy the outdoors almost all year round is truly a gift. As I looked at the adorable pooches running around the park, I decided my next blog HAD to be about where I could enjoy a meal outside in the lovely weather with these sweet fur babies right beside me. I set about asking some long-time residents and doing some online searches, and came up with some great options. Hope you're hungry!
Ladera Shopping Center
3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley
Ladera Shopping Center is located right near Highway 280, but you wouldn't know it from the quaint appearance and serenity of the place. It's a bit rustic, with cute little shops, a beautiful market, several great restaurants and a coffee shop. On any given day, you will see people sitting outside on the various patios, enjoying a meal with friends, family, and, of course, their dogs. I vow to try all of the eateries there, and my boss says you can't go wrong with any of them. Seafood, Mexican, Italian, they've got it. I wanna try them all, but for now I have only been to Portola Kitchen. It's yummy, y'all. They always bring you out some amazing crusty bread to gnaw on while you contemplate your main dish options. Their menu boasts pastas, pizzas, salads, sandwiches, burgers....in other words, all the good stuff. Portola Kitchen has a number of patio tables in the shade, underneath an awning, with a fun view of passers-by....perfect for people and dog watching. If you go, see if you can get Marco to wait on you; a genuine Italian server who goes out of his way to accommodate, Marco never disappoints. When we were there last, he even brought water for the dog. She was more interested in begging for food, of course, but at least she wasn't thirsty!
Left Bank Brasserie
635 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park
If you are into fancy French fare without needing a fancy outfit, then the Left Bank is for you. Open for brunch, lunch, dinner, and most importantly, Happy Hour, the Left Bank has all the French cuisine you can handle-- and YES, that includes escargot! Hey, don't knock it till you try it. Anything covered in that much butter and garlic has to be good, right? I ordered the Croque Poulet on my visit, which is really just a fancy chicken sandwich, but it was very nice. Now I'm going back and counting the number of times I've said “fancy” (there's one more), but seriously, French= fancy, am I right? The great thing about the Left Bank is that they have outdoor seating so you can enjoy your fancy meal with your fur baby by your side (and it doesn't have to be a fancy French poodle either...see what I did there? We're owning the fancy!). Being in the heart of downtown Menlo Park, the Left Bank's outdoor patio will provide plenty of people watching entertainment. It's also a great area to walk off all that butter with your dog after your meal is over. Bon appetit!
Bagel Street Cafe
746 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park
Bagel Street Cafe is a cute little bagel and sandwich place in downtown Menlo Park. Each and every time I have been there, the staff has been very friendly and welcoming. They have great bagels and bagel sandwiches that are LOADED with goodies. You will definitely not be hungry after indulging in one of their sammies! Bagel Street also has a few paninis, salads, and lots of great coffee options. It's a perfect place for a casual breakfast or lunch when you just want to order at the counter and not fuss with waitstaff and tipping. There are a couple of little tables outside where you and your dog can sit and enjoy California life. Carb it up!
Cafe Borrone
1010 El Camino, Menlo Park
I have not yet visited Cafe Borrone, but after reading the menu, it's on my to do list. I DO, however, have it on good authority that they have great coffee and food. Cafe Borrone, per their web site, strives to use local, organic, ingredients and sustainable seafood. Sounds good to me. Cafe Borrone is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, has an extensive coffee selection, and offers beer and wine, as well. Although you have to wait in line to order your food, they do have a sizable patio bearing numerous tables with umbrellas for al fresco dining. This would be a fantastic place to hang out with your dog and enjoy some good eats. My stomach is actually growling now!
Max's Opera Cafe
711 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto
I have it on good authority from a long-time Palo Alto resident that Max's is a fantastic place to eat, drink wine, and be merry with your dog. Great food, wine, and your fur baby? Does it get better than that? I doubt it. When I went to look at their menus, I was overwhelmed and amazed at how many choices there were. Soups, salads, hot sandwiches, pasta, seafood, steak.....someone take me to Max's, quick! Their outdoor seating area is shaded by awnings and umbrellas, and is furnished with upscale outdoor tables and chairs. No hard iron seats for your tushy....no, you'll be comfy in their nice wicker chairs. Winner, winner, all-the-things-for-dinner!
Joanie's Cafe
405 South California Avenue, Palo Alto
If you're looking for a good breakfast or brunch, Joanie's could very well be the place, since they were voted “Best Breakfast in Palo Alto” from 2012-2015. Not too shabby. They've got the usual breakfast fare of egg and pancake dishes, plus crepes and eggs Benedict, as well. Oooh, la la! Not a breakfast person? Joanie's also serves lunch, including hot entrees, hot sandwiches, and salads. My source says that not only is the food great, but that if you are sitting outside with your pup, they have outdoor heaters for our cooler Cali weather. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy about Joanie's right about now. Oh, and I'm really craving some brunch.....
So now that I've blogged about all of these fantastic dog friendly restaurants, I'm thinking that all of our Tails Up outings should include a meal out! Anyone else famished now? Off to scrounge up some grub...
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