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Eat Up

Published: August, 2008 Doggone good! Dine with mutts at Park Bench Café.

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You could say he ate himself under the table. But at the Park Bench Café in Huntington Beach, that’s acceptable behavior – for a dog, and his occasional companion, a pot-bellied pig, snake, macaw, cat or even a bowl of goldfish. Opened in 1988 by Mike and Christie Bartusick, the Park Bench Café began catering to canines in 1993, attracting diners from all points of the globe, from Riverside to Canada to Australia. With the motto, “Every Dog Has His Day at the Park Bench Café,” it is reportedly the only restaurant of its kind in Southern California. Set in a bucolic enclave off Goldenwest Street, the restaurant seats up to 130 inside and out. Animals get their own menu. While we dine al fresco on burgers and fries, salads or chorizo scramble, pets can pork out on gourmet cuisine, such as Hot-Diggity Dog (an all-beef frank); Rover Easy (two scrambled eggs); or Chilly Paws (a scoop of vanilla ice cream). Water bowls are free. But management reserves the right to send either dog or owner to the Dog House if house etiquette is breached: Fido must keep off tables and chairs, and eating the silverware is forbidden. “Some days we have a mass of baby strollers with dogs inside – instead of babies. Most times you don’t even realize that dogs are out at tables, except when dog clubs or rescue groups meet here. Then you see 20 or 30 of the same breed all together,” says Bartusick. The café schedules themed gatherings, as well: the Boston Tea Party for Boston terriers; Westie Festie for West Highland terriers; Bassett Breakfast every Saturday at 9 a.m.; and King Charles Cavaliers every second Sunday at 10 a.m.     The Park Bench Café’s Canine Cuisine menu was mentioned in Dog Lovers Companion to California, is listed on dogfriendly.com and recently was featured on Animal Planet’s “Most Extreme” series. > Park Bench Café 17732 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach 714.842.0775; parkbenchcafe.com. Judy Florman is a freelance travel writer. Ask the Nutritionist Q: Are milk and milk products really good for the body? If not, how can kids get their calcium? Sharon, 27, of Orange A: Milk is an acceptable food for most children over age 1, if no allergies or intolerances are observed. High in calcium, protein and many B vitamins, it offers a concentrated source of nutrition and hydration. If a child can’t tolerate milk or dairy products, good alternatives exist. Soy, oat, almond or rice milk can replace cow’s milk, and oftentimes deliver a similar nutrient content. Other good sources of calcium include dark-green leafy vegetables, tofu, beans, almonds, enriched cereals or fortified orange juice. n Erin Silva is a registered dietitian and nutritionist for The Fitness Camp in Irvine.

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