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Huxley

Beagle

and Wallace Beagle

's Restaurant Reviews

San Francisco, the Bay Area, California, and some visits to Oregon

Huxley loved nothing better than eating out with his pack. His humans like almost every restaurant and bar on this list, but the ratings are the dogs', according to how comfortable they are and whether, if they're lucky, they get a nibble too. Huxley's taste in wine was no less reliable for being based entirely on chewing the wine-soaked end off the cork.

San Francisco

Mission District, Noe Valley, Bernal Heights
	331 Cortland (331 Cortland). This collection of food vendors doesn't offer anything for dogs besides a bench outside where humans can sit with them, but any place you can walk your dog to is better than a place where you can't. Huxley didn't remember whether there was a water bowl at this specific address, but Cortland Avenue is a parade of water bowls (and of dogs).
	AL's Place (26th at Valencia). There are heaters but no other dog amenities, and little of interest to dogs on the plant-filled plates. It's not even far enough from the pack's house to make a good walk. There's a good chance of a good cork, though.
	Atlas Cafe (20th at Alabama). The back patio of this neighborhood cafe (reached through the side door on Alabama) is full of friendly dogs, and there's a water bowl for the dogs and good draft beer for the humans.
	Beretta (Valencia at 23rd). After many years of visits at all hours and in all weathers, Huxley regarded this as his home away from home. Outside tables are protected by awnings and heat lamps, and sometimes there is water. However, the humans usually drink the strong stuff here and it doesn't come with corks.
	Big Mouth Burger (24th St. between Bartlett and Valencia). The burgers smell good but the coleslaw that the guy holding the leash gets here instead of fries is of little interest to dogs, and there is less shade under Big Mouth's little wire tables than under Phat Philly's picnic tables.
	Cafe Fiore (24th at Guerrero). Huxley didn't see the attraction of this place: it is so close to home that it's like being cheated out of a walk, and there is nothing outside but a few tables on a slanty sidewalk. At least there are a few dogs to say hello to mixed in with the torrent of commuters rushing down 24th.
	Cafe St. Jorge (Mission at Cortland) This is actually not a spot for dogs at all, except for the bench outside where the humans can wait with them. But the bolo de arroz smelled good.
	Chez Marius (24th St. between Noe and Castro). Closed! Huxley came here many times when this restaraunt was called Le Zinc, and it didn't change too much under the new owner. You could sit out front to watch the street, just like a Parisian tourist, or in back under the heat lamp. Huxley particularly liked the corks from the well-chosen list of French reds.
	Craftsman and Wolves (Valencia between 18th and 19th). Although Huxley liked the idea of wolves and the smell of the creative and flavorful pastries, he never got more than a few crumbs that fall off the crumbly ones. But this place opens at 7 AM like a proper bakery should, convenient during a morning dog walk, and it's next to Mission Pet Hospital, and it was on Huxley's walk to work, so Huxley got to visit all the time.
	Dynamo Donuts (24th between York and Hampshire). Huxley gradually penetrated deeper and deeper into this breakfast spot, sitting first just inside the door, then in the main room (where even he felt he shouldn't be allowed), and finally in the back patio, where he got a dog donut to celebrate. And then the boys got a free dog donut to share from the nice person at the counter, so we're stopping there every time now.
	L'Emigrante (18th & Mission). Closed! Huxley's tail was down when The Corner, the previous restaurant in this location, closed. Then he got to watch the goings-on at this interesting corner again -- but he still didn't get anything from the table, and there were still few amenities here for him other than an occasional cork. Wonder why the humans liked it so much?
	Esperpento (22nd St. at Valencia). A long-time favorite, at least when there are outside tables, as there have been since quarantine. The food and the corks are good, and the restaurant is close to Huxley's house, which means frequent visits.
	Farina (18th St. between Valencia & Guerrero). Closed! Though there were some interesting corks, the heaters were too high overhead to make up for the chill wind blowing down 18th Street and the food, although good, wasn't the sort that the humans would share with Huxley.
	Farina Pizza (Valencia at 18th). Closed! A better bet for Huxley than the original, since the east-facing sidewalk tables were sheltered from the wind. There were heaters, the friendly staff offered water, and Huxley knew nowhere else where he can enjoy a Sammarinese cork. But watch out for the boorish humans that this block of Valencia attracts.
	Front Porch (29th at Tiffany). Nothing could be more appropriate for hound dogs than to hang out on the cozy front porch of a Southern restaurant called the Front Porch. Heat lamps keep dogs and humans warm. There are blankets, too, though not for beagles.
	Garcon (Valencia & 22nd). Closed! This neighborhood French restaurant had several sidewalk tables and friendly staff always ready to serve you there and bring water. There were no heaters, and the partitions that once moderated the evening breeze are gone. But Huxley had some memorable bones here, most notably the birthday marrow bone that he prized so much he dragged the humans home so he could bury it.
	Giordano Bros. (16th at Valencia). Outside tables, heat lamps, and an occasional dropped french fry were just what Huxley looked for in a neighborhood restaurant. He had no interest in the excellent beer, but it kept the humans in place while he waited for a fry to drop.
	Grub (Valencia between 18th & 19th). Closed! The staff said a friendly hello and brought water, and there was lots of interesting canine and human traffic to watch while the humans ate, but Huxley isn't giving out more than one bone until he gets a taste of the food. At least last time the humans ordered a real cork instead of a screwcap. Grub is now Toast Souvla, and the high tables outside aren't the best for a mixed pack of humans and dogs.
	Hawker Fare (Valencia between 17th & 18th). There are heaters but not ones that are turned on, and the neglectful staff didn't bring much of anything, never mind water. But all that was forgotten when Wallace got the bones from the pork ribs.
	Hog & Rocks (19th at San Carlos). Closed! The outside tables were large, the heaters were powerful and dogs were offered water. Hog & Rocks wes open until 'round midnight, just right for a semi-nocturnal predator. Huxley had no interest in rocks (oysters), and the hog was way too good for him, but he did get a lamb bone here.
	Hot Press (Mission between 25th & 26th). Closed! To Huxley, the only attraction of this panino shop was how close it was to his home. There was an awning over the two sidewalk tables, but nothing else for dogs. But just across the street there was a nicely appointed water bowl outside the dog-friendly Fizzary and brand new pet supply Mission Critter, so altogether it was a nice little expedition.
	Humphrey Slocombe (Harrison at 24th). Huxley didn't think the novel flavors here were any more exotic than what he found on the street every day, but he lived for the end of the cone just the same. Less spilled ice cream than Mitchell's, but more outside seating.
	The Liberties (Guerrero & 22nd). Although this Irish pub has had outside tables for a while, they only recently became able to serve beer at them. That's what was needed to make a pleasant outing for the whole pack. The second bone is for the friendly, dog-loving owner and some special consideration that we're not at liberty to discuss in detail here.
	Lolo (22nd between Mission and Valencia). Moved! The benches out front protected Huxley from lunchtime sun and water was available. For whatever reason, though, the humans never shared whatever was on those small plates. Lolo moved to a new location on Valencia which didn't have outside tables. We haven't been back since they set up outside for quarantine.
	Mitchell's Ice Cream (San Jose Avenue at 29th St.). Nothing is better than a visit to San Francisco's finest ice creamery, always mobbed with friendly humans and dogs, a chance to slurp up fallen ice cream off the sidewalk while the humans relax on the benches outside, and, if Huxley was lucky, the end of a cone.
	Monk's Kettle (16th at Albion). Huxley had no idea this place existed until they added sidewalk tables recently and became possible to get in to for both humans and dogs. The only amenity relevant to dogs is an awning and Huxley ddin't like beer, but dishes are often accompanied by fries or tater tots so Huxley had something to look forward to.
	Noe's Bar (24th St. at Church St.). Closed! Just what you need after a hike to Las Papas: a couple of tables with umbrellas, draft beer, and all of Noe Valley going by. Hux heard he could go inside; he never tried, but if it was true another bone would have been sure to follow. This location has changed owners and names several times. When last we checked there were no sidewalk tables.
	Noeteca (Dolores at Valley). This refined cafe -- too refined for beagles to get a taste -- provides a water bowl, an awning on its sunny east side, and tables on its shady north side, so there will always be a comfortable place to sit. The trick is deciding which spot best avoids whatever wind happens to be blowing. Or get lucky and enjoy a consideration which we're not at liberty to discuss.
	Old Jerusalem (Mission between 25th & 26th). Closed! (but due to reopen any day now). Huxley used to sit at this place's lone outside table, wondering why it was any better than walking down Mission Street. Now they've moved a few doors down to a space with a back patio. Huxley was much more comfortable, and enjoyed the heaters, but he still didn't get anything from the table.
	Phat Philly (24th St. between Bartlett and Valencia). This hopping fast-food joint would have three bones if Huxley ever got a scrap of the delicious-smelling cheesesteaks. Meanwhile, there's usually one or two left of the giant portions of fries. The kind servers even sometimes bring water when it's not too busy. The outside tables are probably the best place in the Mission to watch all manner of people and dogs go by.
	Picaro (16th St. between Valencia & Guerrero). Something about this taperia makes the humans generous. Huxley was known to get a whole cantimpalito (a snack-sized chorizo), usually when the humans got near the bottom of a bottle of Spanish red -- a delicious cork at a reasonable price. Tables are protected by a little fence and the neighborhood is always interesting to watch.
	Porcellino (Church at Duncan). Closed! Huxley had dreamed of coming to this place's precessor, Incanto, for years, but it was for humans only. This casual successor had dog-friendly outside tables and a still-excellent, if shorter, list of corks.
	Prubechu (Mission between 18th & 19th). There are awnings and heaters, but the parking lot underlying the outdoor dining area is still chilly at night. Really the only attraction of this place for dogs is the long sniff down Mission to get here. (The humans beg to differ.)
	Rosamunde (Mission between 24th & 25th). There is not much space between the closely packed tables on Rosamunde's narrow front porch for Huxley to lie down in, but there is a water bowl at the end and heaters overhead. Huxley put up with the smell of beer for the sake of the smell of sausages. If only he could somehow have had one.
	Sandbox Bakery (Cortland at Gates). Closed! There were just a couple of benches outside for the humans to sit while they ate their pastries and drank tea. Huxley liked that, because it made for easier begging. He also liked that this place was relatively far from home, as breakfast walks go, which meant more walking for him, and the morning parade of dogs along Cortland. Being busy in other parts of town, Huxley didn't get a chance to visit after Sandbox became Pinkie's.
	Southern Pacific Brewing Company (Treat near 19th). There is plenty of space at the picnic tables on this brewpub's front patio, and there's a water bowl somewhere around. It gets cold when the sun goes down behind the building in late afternoon, which means the humans' fries get cold and Huxley might have gotten one. He never decided whether all of the delicious homemade sharp mustard that he somehow got hold of means more bones or less.
	Stuffed (Mission just north of 24th). Closed! Huxley and Wallace's frustration at not getting a single scrap of the delicious pierogies was matched only by their delight at the friendly owner's generosity with jerky. No heat lamps, but the cavernous entrance was well sheltered from the wind.
	Toast (Church at Day). Huxley would probably have rather keptt walking to the 30th Street dog park or Billy Goat Hill than sit down for breakfast here. But he was a big Sirron Norris fan.
	La Torta Gorda (24th between Bryant & Hampshire). Huxley really appreciated being able to get into this Poblano torteria and restaurant's patio, where there is water and heaters that might come in handy someday, because it meant a walk down one of his favorite streets. But there was nothing solid for him here other than frequent flotsam from the overstuffed tortas.
	Troje (26th at South Van Ness). Closed! The friendly folks at this remote outpost of fine cooking were willing to put a table outside for Huxley, and the humans were more than willing to take him any time he wants. But there was nothing here for him except some especially interesting passers-by.
	Tuba (Guerrero at 22nd). This excellent Turkish restaurant has no outside amenities other than a couple of tables, and the wind on wide Guerrero Street can be bitter. None of that mattered to Huxley when the friendly waitresses gave him lots of attention, an exotic cork or two, AND all the lamb bones he could eat. Huxley took his humans to dinner here as often as possible.
	Vino Rosso (Cortland at Anderson). There's only a bench outside, which means only glasses of wine for the humans and no corks for Huxley, but the water bowl is very welcome after hiking around Bernal Heights and there are always friendly human and canine passers-by. Other humans have been seen eating outside as well as drinking, so this place's star is on the rise.
	Wise Sons Deli (Shotwell at 24th). It's not as hard to find space at this wildly popular deli's outside tables as it used to be, so Huxley visited regularly.
	Xanath (Valencia at Liberty). No doubt Huxley appreciated the difference between the several different kinds of vanilla at the Mission's newest and most exotic ice creamery even better than the humans do, but he also kept coming back for the good location, the handy benches and the big bucket of water provided for dogs. And did we mention that he might get the end of a cone?
Potrero Hill, Dogpatch
	Dos Pinas (Rhode Island at 16th). Outside tables and Mexican food that's bland enough for a beagle -- if he managed to steal any.
	Harmonic Brewing (26th between Minnesota and Indiana). Huxley approved of the trend of brewpubs that allow dogs inside, and he rolled over for Native Sons BBQ wherever they appear. He didn't even mind gnawing on a rib bone that was previously enjoyed by humans not in his pack. Sadly, Native Sons are no longer.
	Il Pirata (16th at Utah). The slow, slow service here was just fine if you're a beagle sunning himself on the back patio. The Italian sausage sandwich that that guy holding the leash always seemed to get smelled great, but Huxley had to settle for an occasional fry.
	Liba Falafel (DeHaro at Alameda). Closed! Just a food truck parked in front of a disused warehouse, and Huxley sometimes had to endure being tied up next to the running generator while the humans order, but he never failed to score mouthfuls of dropped falafel and -- even better -- delicious sweet-potato fries. Sadly, Liba is out of business.
	Market & Rye (DeHaro at 16th). Closed! The human puppies that took over this neighborhood threw half of their food underneath the cheery blue picnic tables, so Huxley was optimistic about the possibilities at this bakery-oriented cafe. No other dog amenities, though.
	Pizza Nostra (DeHaro at 16th). Closed! Though the humans often enjoyed a glass of lunchtime wine at this fancy pizzeria's outside tables, Huxley never got a cork or even a pizza crust. It must have been good! However, it recently changed ownership and Huxley no longer works in the neighborhood, so he doesn't know what it's like now.
	Triple Voodoo (3rd between 19th & 20th). The only interest this place holds for dogs is that they're allowed inside, on the cool concrete and out of the hot sun. Well, actually, Wallace looks forward to a drop of strong beer now and then.
	Wolfe's Lunch (16th at Wisconsin). Next to the Showplace Triangle mini-park, this Korean greasy spoon has a few outside tables, but not much else that interested Huxley.
Huxley worked in north Potrero Hill and only ever got to lunch in that part of the neighborhood. Other dog-friendly options around there which he never got to visit include Cafe Pazzo, on Henry Adams at the traffic circle, What's Up Dog on De Haro at 16th, and the Chairman Bao food truck, last seen at De Haro and Alameda on Fridays. A well-behaved dog might even get away with sitting at a courtyard table outside the excellent Rustico, in the California College of Arts' building A2 on 8th St. between 15th & 16th.
Bayview
	Laughing Monk (Egbert between 3rd & Jennings). Huxley disliked beer and high stools that put the humans' food out of reach, but none of that mattered when Native Sons BBQ was serving next door in Seven Stills and he got some rib bones. The friendly barman brought water, too. Sadly, Native Sons are no more.
	Speakeasy (Keith at Evans). Huxley wasn't allowed inside and it was cold and windy out by the picnic tables, but when the humans moved fast enough he might get a rib bone fron Native Sons BBQ (but see above). This place closed and reopened and we haven't been back since, but it looks promising.
South of Market
	The Butler and the Chef (South Park). Hux fit right in with the strict French ambiance. The kindly chef, who's been known to bring out a dog treat, and all of the other dogs visiting the park made this his favorite lunch stop back when he worked in this neighborhood.
	Jamber Wine Pub (Folsom between 4th & 5th). Even though this place had no corks (their wine is on tap), Huxley was ready to fight for one of their few outside tables any time, because absolutely everything here that isn't already fries comes with fries. Heaters took the edge off the bitter SoMa wind.
	Off the Grid (5th & Minna). When Huxley and Wallace worked South of Market this was their regular food truck stop. That the neat techie customers don't seem to drop much was made up for by the guy at the other end of the leash's practice of taking his lunch back to the office, where there was plenty to beg for.
	Ristorante Umbria (2nd & Howard). Closed! This would have been a fine place for a fancy Italian lunch if Huxley ever got a taste, or if he got to jump up into the big comfortable-looking chairs. At least there was plenty of interesting traffic at lunch time on this restaurant-packed block.
	South Park Cafe (South Park). The nicest place Huxley knew of to watch humans eat dinner South of Market. It wasn't far from his old office, there were dogs in the park in the evening, too, and he usually got a cork.
	Zebulon (Natoma near 2nd St.). Closed! That guy at the other end of the leash sometimes seemed awfully relaxed here for a weekday lunch. Yes, there was beer as well as sandwiches. There wasn't really much here to interest Huxley, but it was a welcome oasis in this neighborhood. Now disappeared under the Transbay Terminal.
North of Market: Financial District, North Beach, Union Square, Tenderloin, Polk Gulch
	A La Turca (Geary St. at Larkin). Delicious Turkish food at reasonable prices for the humans, water for Huxley, and sidewalk seating in a neighborhood where it's rare.
	Amante/Chubby Noodle (Green near Stockton). Closed! Huxley and Wallace were both happy to visit this bar/Korean fusion popup combination even though they didn't get any of the food: there were heaters, water brought by the friendly staff and plenty of friendly tourists to say hello.
	B44, Belden Taverna, Brindisi, Cafe Bastille, Plouf, Sauce (Belden Place). All of the many restaurants on Belden Place have covered outdoor seating and heaters. Huxley usually sat at one of the tables farthest from the restaurants (and the heaters) where there's more room to sniff around. Two bones for the reliability of all these restaurants as a group; one of them is bound to be open at almost any time. Cafe Bastille has been open for weekend lunches when the others were not. The humans like the tapas at B44 and the mussels at Plouf best, but Huxley was most interested in Cafe Bastille's aromatic andouillette.
	Bask (Columbus at Jackson). Not only does this Basque restaurant have ample outside seating on a very entertaining street, heat lamps, a water bowl and delicious corks, but it was around the corner from Huxley's old workplace so he could visit often.
	Bocadillos (Montgomery at Columbus). Closed! Even closer to Huxley's old workplace, this tasca had only one outside table, so Huxley and the humans only got to go here when they were very lucky, or when the weather was stiff enough to send home the amateurs. With no dog amenities aside from the well-chosen corks and not a crumb falling from that table, Huxley was puzzled as to why the humans liked it here so much.
	Cafe Claude (Claude Lane). Huxley never forgot his first visit to this outpost of traditional French cooking, when a kind waiter treated him to the remains of someone's charcuterie plate, boiled chicken left over from making stock, extra hamburger from a steak tartare, and even a lick of the steak tartare mixing bowl. The humans were so jealous. Excellent corks as well.
	Cafe Zoetrope (Columbus and Kearny). The one bright spot for Huxley at this Italianesque cafe was that they have a few especially excellent corks at good prices. As long as the supply holds out we'll be back. Next time we'll ask them to turn the heaters on.
	Humphrey Slocombe (Ferry Building). The rule is that if Huxley didn't see a sign that says no dogs allowed, he must be allowed. Anything for the end of a cone.
	Comstock Saloon (Columbus at Pacific). Huxley had been coming here since the San Francisco Brewing Company days. There is still no better place for a dog, or a human, to watch the world go by than one of the tables tucked in around the main entrance. Huxley appreciated the friendly clientele and the water brought by the maitre d', but he wasn't about to give out a second bone until he got some fries like he did in the old days.
	Cotogna (Pacific at Montgomery). A pleasant spot in this leafy neighborhood to sit on a nice day and watch the humans not share. At least Huxley got water and a good cork.
	Doc Ricketts (Columbus between Jackson & Pacific). There can never be too many sidewalk dining options even in a neighborhood already packed with them. The heaters kept Huxley warm enough to put up with the lack of anything else here of interest to dogs.
	Emporio Rulli (Union Square). During Huxley's stay downtown in 2006, this was the place to enjoy an early continental breakfast and watch Union Square wake up.
	Gelateria Naia (Columbus between Green & Union). Closed! We visited whenever a long weekend walk takes us to this part of town. Huxley was willing to wait outside tied to a parking meter while the guy with the leash orders, because he knew he'd get the end of the cone eventually. The outside tables were as good as any along Columbus for watching the crowds of tourists and locals.
	Georges (Sansome at Commercial). Closed! For Huxley, the only saving grace of the few outdoor tables at this seafood restaurant was that they were perfectly positioned to greet his hard-working colleagues on their way home from the office. But the financial district gets cold fast at night, the tables were too high for Huxley to see what's going on, and the humans ordered glasses, not corks. He's not sad that the humans never returned for happy-hour oysters, either: their bones are much too tough.
	Giordano Bros. (Columbus at Broadway). Closed! The outside tables here weren't quite as comfy as at Comstock Saloon, but the fries that regularly fall out of the overstuffed sandwiches more than made up for it.
	Gitane (Claude Lane). Closed! This hot spot from the Cafe Claude people was a must-visit for dogs, with an awning, heat lamps and water brought out right away. The humans drank sherry here so Huxley never got a cork, but bones from the humans' pork ribs made it a three-bone destination.
	The Grubstake (Pine at Polk). This Portuguese diner has a covered porch to relax on and water for thirsty dogs, and vinho verde for breakfast meant happy humans might give Huxley a little piece of bacalao.
	Grumpy's (Vallejo between Front & Battery). Huxley and Wallace wondered why the humans take so much trouble to get here early for one of the highly sought after sidewalk tables. The burgers smelled delicious, but no-one ever got to eat any!
	The Hall (Market between Golden Gate and McAllister). Closed! Huxley missed this independent food court in the mid-Market neighborhood now that the building it's in is becoming condos. It was once his only option for a sit-down lunch anywhere near work. He got there before 12 to get one of the picnic tables and enjoy the extremely diverse street scene.
	Honey Honey (Post & Taylor, formerly The Crepe House). What's not to like about breakfast with a cheery tiki god?
	Irish Bank (Mark Lane, near Grant & Bush). Convenient to Union Square and open all afternoon. There is endless outside space, much of it protected by awnings. Huxley sometimes sat in a puddle here, but forgave all since that time the waitress dropped an entire platter of fries.
	Leland Tea Company (Bush near Polk). Closed! Huxley much preferred the humans to join him at the single outside table than to keep an eye on him from one of the inside tables by the window. Not much here for Hux, but if it kept the humans going, that meant a longer walk for him. Leland Tea Company has now moved to Burlingame.
	Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store (Washington Square). Hux never actually had one of Mario's meatball sandwiches, but the smell kept him coming back just in case. The outside service is a little slow, but that's just perfect for relaxing and enjoying this interesting corner location with lots of people and dogs to greet as they walk past.
	Machka (Washington east of Montgomery). Closed! Late in the week a cheery crowd filled the tables outside this well-groomed Turkish spot and its neighbor Aventine, and occasionally there was even another dog. But the tables were too high for Huxley to feel like part of the pack, and since the human never ordered more than a glass of wine there wasn't even a cork here for Huxley to chew on.
	Off the Grid (Front & Vallejo). Another food truck gathering, this one conveniently located near Huxley's old office, in session three days a week, AND sometimes including old favorite Liba Falafel! Only the lack of seating and the dog-unfriendliness of the nearby park stand between this location and a second bone.
	Original Joe's (Union & Stockton). Heaters, a water bowl and one of the best street scenes in the city make this an ideal stop for the dog about town, and big portions mean there is bound to be something at dog level eventually.
	Park Tavern (on Washington Square Park). Not only does this North Beach hot spot provide a ringside seat for busy North Beach and Washington Square Park, but the entertaining parade of guests arriving at valet parking is in full view of the sidewalk tables. Heaters (and blankets for the humans) keep the fog away, and though there was no water Huxley didn't look up from his short rib bones long enough to notice. On a later visit Hux got a bowl of water, so if you don't, just ask.
	Rose Pistola (Columbus between Green and Union). Closed! Humans were better taken care of than dogs here, but busy Columbus Avenue is interesting and Huxley might get to visit one of his favorite ice cream stops a few doors down.
	Sydney Town Tavern (Commercial between Sansome and Leidesdorff). Closed! It could be hot in the unshaded middle of this closed-to-traffic block, and he was never offered water, but Huxley and his old colleague Gilligan enjoyed the change of pace from hanging around the office. And pretty much everything here came with fries.
	Sotto Mare (Green near Columbus). One way to get in to this packed, no-reservations seafood restaurant is to sit out front on a cold night when no-one else wants to. Though there are no amenities, Huxley enjoyed greeting the steady stream of guests and the dog-friendly staff might bring a treat if they get a spare moment.
	Tony's Pizza Napoletana (Union & Stockton). Not only does this place have heat lamps (though they're a little small for a cold SF night), not only do they keep a sturdy, shiny water dish ready for their canine guests, not only is there an excellent list of corks -- but Huxley will not soon forget the giant, still-juicy marrow bone that the humans let him have when they'd done all they could with it.
	Vicoletto (Green at Jasper). Huxley had no idea what is served at this rather nice little Italian restaurant on bustling Green Street. It is at least a comfortable place to wait for the humans to finish whatever they're up to, with heaters, water and decent corks.
	Wine (Embarcadero Two). Closed! Hux prized this place not for the corks -- the humans tended to have glasses here, not bottles -- but for actually having been allowed inside a couple of times before there was sidewalk seating. The space is now occupied by a new wine bar and we haven't been back yet.
Around town
	Absinthe (Hayes Valley). This restaurant and bar's tiny outside tables on busy Hayes Street are the closest that Huxley and Wallace will ever get to visiting a Paris cafe. They don't get any closer to the food here than they do anywhere else, though, although they do get water.
	Betelnut (Cow Hollow). Closed! Three words: logo water bowl. Plenty of outside tables and heaters, too. We usually got here by walking from home, which meant a long sit with a beer or two.
	Liverpool Lil's (Cow Hollow). Closed! This pub had a dog at every sidewalk table and good fries, but our neighbors kept their dog so nervous and worked up that Huxley understood why we sometimes make fun of the Marina.
	Outerlands (Sunset). Although Huxley liked to sleep in, he didn't have much use for brunch, because it has few bones and no corks. But Outerlands has a nice parklet to sit in while you're waiting for your table, lots of other dogs to say hello to, and heat lamps.
	Park Chalet (behind Beach Chalet, on the Great Highway at JFK Drive). Three bones for abundant outdoor seating, heat lamps near every table, lots of other dogs to greet, and the brewpub beer and erratic service, both of which keep the humans from moving on too quickly. And, of course, because coming here means a long walk in Golden Gate Park or on Ocean Beach or both.
	Sociale (Presidio Heights). San Francisco's most charming patio, heaters that can handle the foggiest night, and an excellent and unusual selection of corks.
	Tango Gelato (On Fillmore in Pacific Heights). Closed! A refreshing stop in a mostly unfamiliar neighborhood, with a couple of little outside tables and maybe the end of a cone.
	Ziryab (Divisadero between Fell and Hayes). Moved! This Mediterranean place had crowded but plentiful outdoor seating in a front patio set back from the bustle of Divisadero. They were open all day on weekends, making them a handy stop in this neighborhood. Huxley didn't get any of the excellent shawarma, but he did get a few of the very good fries. They moved to a place across the street with no outside tables.

Huxley noticed all of the outside tables in Hayes Valley and on Polk Street in Russian Hill and wished his humans went to those neighborhoods more often.

South San Francisco

Ben Tre (on Grand Avenue a few blocks west of 101). This was a real novelty for Huxley: a Vietnamese restaurant with a patio, still dog-friendly at their new location. Although Ben Tre has become a regular weekend morning stop for the pack, their meat is much too good for the humans to give him any, so Huxley had to settle for fresh air and frustration.

East Bay

	Barclay's (College Avenue, Rockridge). Abundant outdoor seating, a long beer list and Hux's friends Rosie and Teebone made for a perfect follow-up to some East Bay hiking.
	Chop Bar (4th at Alice, Oakland). This neighborhood favorite near Jack London Square provided the dog dining basics -- heat and cold water -- on their long, narrow patio, but the patio wall was solid so Huxley couldn't see the street, the humans like their food too much to share, and cocktails meant no corks.
	Radio (13th just east of Broadway, Oakland). Huxley was oblivious to this beer-and-basic-cocktails bar's excellent DJs, but he was happy enough to rest in its deep shade after a long walk around Oakland.
	Sunny Side Cafe (Solano Avenue). Here's the place for brunch before or after a long hike in Tilden Park. The food was too good for Huxley to get any, but dogs and humans alike could enjoy the heaters.
	Wat Mongkolratanaram (Russell near Martin Luther King Jr.). No water, few other dogs, and only a concrete slab to lie on, but Huxley came here again and again for stray beef balls. Once he got a whole containerful of khanom krog that someone dropped. Wallace eagerly awaits the post-quarantine reopening.

Huxley's pals Teebone and Rosie talked up Chow in Lafayette. Hux was looking forward to it, but never made it there.

Anderson Valley

Though Huxley loved The Other Place, he didn't think much of the Anderson Valley or the nearby Mendocino area as a culinary destination. The rest of the pack ate without him too often. But a couple of newer places let the pack stick together while dining.

	Anderson Valley Brewing Company (Boonville). Hux didn't like beer himself, and there's nothing else here. But he was allowed inside, and the excellent beer made the humans so happy Hux could make a full meal on treats. The many picnic tables around the grounds are another dog-friendly option.
	The Bewildered Pig (Philo). There's little for dogs here, not even much space for them on the narrow front porch. Still, if it makes the humans happier to come up here, it's OK with the dogs.
	The Buckhorn (Boonville). Closed! This pub had a full range of Anderson Valley Brewing Company beers and decent pub grub. The outside tables were the perfect place to rest up with a nice bowl of water after the long drive up from San Francisco.
	Table 128 (Boonville). The Boonville Hotel's restaurant has been serving outside more often in recent years; Wallace hopes it continues after quarantine. There are heaters and the staff offers water. The hotel has a few dog-friendly cottages, too.

San Luis Obispo

Huxley and his friend Cody loved their visits to dog-friendly SLO. County law bars dogs from wine tasting rooms, but the better establishments admit them anyway.

	Big Sky Cafe (Broad between Higuera and Marsh). Though this place had a very nice patio and the staff brought water, the uninspiring smell of the humans' breakfasts made Huxley wonder if there was as much meat in there as they'd expected.
	The Firestone Grill (Higuera at Osos). The only thing wrong with this place is that not one bit of the steak sandwiches that the humans were so pleased with made it down to beagle level. But it's a self-serve establishment so there were plenty of french fries and such all over the vast patio, and big gas fireplaces keep away SLO's nighttime chill.
	Foster's Freeze (Nipomo & Marsh). SLO is almost as cool as San Francisco in the summer, but the humans just like ice cream and Huxley was happy to come here again and again to help clean up spills.
	Luna Red (Chorro at Monterey). Huxley liked this creekside place even better than the humans, what with the abundant heat lamps and friendly, water-bearing staff. Many delicious local and international corks are on offer.
	Novo (Across the bridge from Mission Plaza). This creekside hotspot has a front door on Higuera, but dogs can get to the patio from the path by the creek. Huxley enjoyed both an excellent cork of local Pinot and an exquisitely done bone from a ribeye steak. This is how dogs were meant to live. The staff was both attentive and unhurried, and understanding of both humans and dogs.
	Old San Luis BBQ (Higuera between Broad and Nipomo). This brand-new competitor to the Firestone Grill, a bare-bones takeout window, has even more delicious-smelling tri-tip which Huxley is even less likely to get any of. On the bright side there are lots of interesting smells in the cracks around the handful of outdoor tables.

Santa Ynez Valley

Two paws up from Huxley for this also very dog-friendly area! Hot weather means lots of outside dining and high-alcohol wines that keep the rest of the pack in an easy-going mood and out of the car. Almost every area winery welcomed Huxley. This may have been where he developed his taste for corks.

	Ballard Inn and Restaurant (Baseline Avenue, Ballard). Sophisticated, careful cooking, a real standout in the rustic Santa Ynez Valley. White-tablecloth seating on the porch was perfect for humans and dogs, and Huxley rolled over for the bones that came with the humans' lamb.
	Wandering Dog Wine Bar (Mission Drive at 4th Place, Solvang) Huxley first visited this location when it was Cabana Cellars. It still welcomes four-legged friends inside as well as outside and the corks are even better.
	Firestone Walker Taproom (Just off Highway 101, Buellton). There's just a table or two outside, the wind can be fierce and you're on your own for service, but it's an essential stop in the perfect location.
	Los Olivos Cafe and Wine Merchant (Grand Avenue, Los Olivos). From one of the comfortable outside tables at this location made famous by "Sideways" you can see and hear everything that goes on in Los Olivos while you enjoy any of the top-quality local corks available on the wine-merchant side. The cafe side has food for a simple snack with your bottle or a whole meal.
	Mortensen's Danish Bakery (Mission Drive at Atterdag, Solvang). There are quite a few places to eat breakfast outside in this tourist- and dog-friendly town, but Huxley was here twice, once on the shady back patio and once out front, for the wide selection of Danish pastry. The pastry is far too sweet for dogs (in fact Mortensen's seems to use special sugar, more tooth-achingly sweet than anything the humans have ever had) but they're still happy to hang out with you.
	Side Street Cafe (Alamo Pintado, Los Olivos). Closed! Chef Patrick welcomed dogs on his wide, shady front porch and the staff brought water right away. The humans were sure to come up with a cork from the exceptional list of local wines. Huxley didn't get any of Chef Patrick's excellent California cuisine, but the humans were so pleased that they gave him extra treats.

Western Oregon

For a state with so many good corks, Oregon is surprisingly tough on dogs. They often aren't allowed even on restaurant patios, and places for them to stay are hard to find except at chain motels. The McMinnville McMenamins is an exception with both dog-friendly rooms and sidewalk tables, but there has never been space there for Huxley or Wallace. Since dog-friendly wineries are less common in Oregon than in California, this and the next section list them as well as restaurants.

Roseburg
	McMenamins Roseburg Station (700 SE St.). McMenamins saved the blazing hot July day with umbrella-shaded outside tables and water for the boys. And beer country was, as usual, also fry country.
Willamette Valley
	Brooks (East of Amity, off SE Eola Hills Road). Although this once down-to-earth winery has fancied up in recent years, Huxley and Wallace were allowed onto the roofed deck and given water. And there are corks available for the asking.
	Domaine Serene (North of 99W between Lafayette and Dundee). This otherwise rather pompous winery was kind enough to let Huxley and Wallace around the side onto their deck. The tables are shaded with umbrellas, but otherwise there's not much here for dogs. Still, it's more fun to watch the humans than to wait in the car.
	Dundee Bistro (SW 7th Street at 99W, Dundee). An oasis in the dog-fearing Willamette Valley, with a big patio away from the road, where Huxley and Wallace were welcome, and a long list of local corks. There are even fries on the menu (they come with the delicious-smelling steak), but Huxley sniffed the truffle oil and said no.

Central Oregon

Central Oregon is less stringent about Oregon's no-dogs-in-restaurants law than the finicky Willamette Valley. The humans still need to ask whether dogs are allowed on the restaurant patio or in the winery, but the answer is yes a lot of the time. And the water bowls in front of practically every shop make dogs feel very welcome. Just don't leave your dogs in the car in the sun, even if you think it's cool enough, or the dog-loving citizenry will teach you a lesson you probably need.

Bend
	Bend Brewing Company (on Brooks near the Newport/Greenwood Avenue bridge). Huxley and Wallace could have spent all day at this long-established riverside brewpub, which has not just a dog-friendly patio but a lawn with picnic tables, an outdoor bar and a food truck. Excellent chance of fries.
	Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House (1044 NW Bond St.). On their first long trip north the humans held off on lunch until this pilgrimage site only three hours south of Hood River. Late afternoon was the perfect time to find space at one of the coveted streetside patio tables. The staff brought water and the humans had more than enough fries to share. Only Wallace was a bit disappointed, because the beer was too good for him to get even a drop.
	McMenamins Old St. Francis School (Bond at Louisiana). Not only could Huxley and Wallace watch their humans drink and eat on this fine establishment's many shady patios, they could stay overnight! They even got to watch breakfast in the secret room behind the broom closet. There are water bowls all ready on the patios and the beer-friendly food includes both fries and tater tots.
Hood River and vicinity
	Brian's Pourhouse (Oak near 3rd, Hood River). This lively place and its dog-friendly patio are open until 11, perfect for long midsummer evenings. The Columbia Gorge wind is brisk, but it doesn't faze beagles used to San Francisco nights. Friendly staff brought water, and there were fries to be begged for.
	Cerulean Wine (off Oak Street near 3rd, Hood River). This little tasting room has a cool cement floor just right for recovering from a hot July day while the humans sip Riesling. No corks, though, just screwcaps.
	Domaine Pouillon (Lyle Snowden Road, Lyle, Washington). This mostly Rhone-focused winery has a brand new tasting room where Huxley and Wallace were happy to take a break from the summer sun.
	Double Mountain (4th St. between Columbia and Cascade, Hood River). Sidewalk tables let Huxley and Wallace get attention from every dog-loving patron and passer-by. Strong beer and good pizza meant plenty of "bones" for the boys.
	Hood River Hotel (Oak St. at 1st St., Hood River). Huxley and Wallace breakfasted at the sidewalk tables at the hotel's restaurant (currently Swedish, which seems to mean happy humans but nothing for dogs) several times during each of their visits. But mentioning the restaurant is also an excuse to sneak a mention of the extra-dog-friendly Hotel into this page of restaurant reviews. In return for a very reasonable pet fee, the Hotel provides a dog bowl, a protective sheet for the bed, a bag of treats (our brand!), a squeaky toy to kill and a welcome on a bone-shaped chalkboard at the reception.
	Nora's Table (5th Street just north of Oak, Hood River). Closed! Lamb chops on the menu meant that the boys got to properly appreciate Hood River's finest white-tablecloth restaurant. There were a few outside tables where they could join the humans, there was a good list of local corks, and the staff brought water to pair with the bones. Unfortunately Nora's became Kin, which does not have a license for dogs on its patio.
	Springhouse Cellar Winery (next to the Mt. Hood Railroad station, Hood River). This innovative establishment serves excellent wine on tap by the taste or in glasses, and sells both regular and refillable bottles to go. On tap meant no corks for Huxley, but at least the boys could relax inside while the humans refreshed themselves. Huxley, who liked sled dogs, was also sorry to miss out on Springhouse's resident malamute, said to be unfriendly to visiting dogs and kept in the back while we visited. We bet they'd have gotten along fine. Conveniently located steps from the Hotel.
	Three Rivers Grill (Oak at 6th, Hood River). In summer all the business at this white-tablecloth place is on the high deck overlooking the river, where dogs are welcome. There is water and good corks but chances of fries are low.
	Wy'East Vineyards (six miles south of downtown Hood River on Route 35). The boys were allowed in the tasting room. One one visit the whole pack enjoyed a bottle of excellent Pinot Gris and a picnic lunch on the patio. On another the dogs lounged on the appropriately-for-the-area fruit-patterned carpet out front.

This page is updated whenever Wallace gets wind of something new. Got a suggestion? Write Wallace, wallace at eagerbeagle dot com, and let him know.

Huxley's rating system is similar to that used in the Michelin guides:

	Well worth a visit.
	An establishment with outstanding qualities, head and shoulders above the rest.
	The experience of a lifetime, whether measured in human or dog years.

Of course Huxley was reviewing for dogs, not for humans, so some ratings might not be what a human would expect. Reviews of some establishments, mainly those outside of San Francisco, are based on less visits than a real reviewer would make. There are a lot of places off Huxley's regular routes, in and out of S.F., that he never got it; if your favorite isn't listed, maybe that's why. Hey, for a dog who couldn't drive, Hux did pretty well.

A single green bone following the rating means that Huxley's packmate Wallace Beagle has given that establishment his Fun for the Whole Pack Seal of Approval. Ratings given in green bones are Wallace's, now that he's senior beagle and reviewing solo.

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