I’ll have the Puppy Chow with Dried Pigs Ear & can I substitute the beef bouillon bits with the spinach & tofu kibbles? That would be great. Thanks. Oh, and my master, he’ll have a decaf coffee. Ruff. The dogs obviously rule the yard here, but, we’ll get to that in a moment. \r
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There’s nothing like a good Sunday brunch but last Sunday’s was a big mistake. Besides the burnt eggs and dry country potatoes the patio was populated by no less than four large dogs. Now, being a dog lover, I don’t object to dogs being present in a restaurant patio even if LA County does, but I do object if there are too many & if their size is overwhelming to the size of the patio. Even still, it really doesn’t bother me enough to complain. \r
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But what happens next does disturb me. The table beside me was seated with a single man with his two pit bulls noosed with choke chains sitting opposite a table with a docile boxer. Something set off the pit bulls. They began inexplicably and uncontrollably viciously barking then lunging violently toward the boxer which at first responded in kind to the threat before its owner was able to calm her dog. The man, on the other hand, was not able to subdue his dogs for several minutes. Once he did, they relaxed only for a short time before his pit bulls turned to attack each other at which point the bulls were straining to get free of their leashes as they inched ever closer beneath their owner’s chair almost throwing him out of it. \r
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Neither incident drew the attention of the wait staff. Had a child walked past those two dogs I cannot say if it would have been allowed to pass. It would not be worth risking &the establishment should not place its patrons in a situation where the risk even exists. That a waiter came by after these incidents to compliment the man on his cool dogs was appalling & seemed premeditated in order to proclaim their restaurant as dog friendly turf against a table that objected to the violent & dangerous animals. In the waiter’s defense, he claimed not to know anything of the incidents that had unfolded on the patio & explained he did not mean to offend us. \r
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When the manager on duty was called to hear my table’s concerns, he was friendly & polite but unfazed; however, when my guest pointed out to him the required yellow and red signage posted by the L.A. County Dept. of Health at the restaurant – ironically posted just above a table with a dog seated beneath it - clearly stating no animals allowed on the premises did he see the merit in our complaint. He admitted to being aware of the law. \r
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I’m sure the owner will leave strict instructions to close the kennel service for the next couple weeks, maybe even the next couple months but I’d be surprised if he remains perpetually vigilant about enforcing the no animals allowed policy for restaurants in Los Angeles County which is instituted for the sanitation of the premises. So, Alan, since you didn’t have the courtesy to phone back & convince my guest that your staff would exercise better judgment in the future to protect their patrons against possible injury from uncontrollable dogs & ask those owners to leave when a situation arouse, I’ll be keeping an eye out as I drive by the Studio Café. For now, the Dept of Public Health East Valley Division’s phone number 818-557-4187 is programmed into the Blackberry. I may have just delivered a blessing in disguise by saving you from a very costly future lawsuit. FYI: Dog day afternoon or not, nobody shows up for lunch to become a casualty of a dog fighting ring.
Pros: The Studio Café Gives A Whole New Meaning to Doggy Bags
Cons: Don’t Forget to Bring Your Pooper Scooper!
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