Dogs Dine Out At Chew Chew Restaurant

[samoyedman]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/dogs...9-1225900999435

THE lower North Shore really knows how to pamper its pooches with the first dog restaurant opening its doors and serving up cappucinos and organic cupcakes.

Chew Chew has been open next to Wollstonecraft station for just three weeks and has become a meeting place for dogs and cats and their owners, founder and head chef Naoko Okamoto said.

With a regularly changing menu, including beef steak and mushrooms, fish soup, chicken wings and treats such as goat’s yoghurt jelly and lamb bones, there is something for even the fussiest canine.

And for the shy or not so social animals, there is take-away and home delivery.

Chew Chew only caters for dogs and cats, but their owners can bring in a coffee or something to eat from the cafe next door and join their pet at the table.

``A lot of people have told me they’ve been waiting for a place where they can bring their dog in instead of having to leave it outside,’’ Ms Okamoto said.

She decided to start the restaurant when expanding her Chew Chew pet food business, which provided home delivery of pet food and supplements.

``I had to get a bigger kitchen and thought `why don’t I start a pet restaurant’?’’ she said. ``It’s always been a dream.’‘

Her recipes are based on Japanese nutritional principals focusing on balancing the food, and most meals include vegetables, such as carrot, pumpkin and shitake mushrooms, mixed with organic meat.

``Many people think pets can’t eat real food but they can, and it’s good for them,’’ she said.

Ms Okamoto said one mistake many people made was to give their pet the same food, which could lead to nutrition deficiency.

``It’s the same as for humans; we would get sick if we only ate cornflakes every day,’’ she said.

Peter Hasler regularly brings in his one-year-old Tibetan spaniel Princess Pinky, and said she enjoyed both the food and socialising with other dogs.

Her favourite treats were the goat’s milk cappuccino with lamb liver powder, and champie; lamb liver with brown rice, eggs and vegetables.

Ms Okamoto said she also dishes up free consultation in pet care, nutrition, behaviour and training.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

What a great idea! I'm going!

[Cody]

What a great idea! I'm going!

Me too!

[Esky the husky]

Hope people are smart enough not to bring any food aggressive dogs there.

Sounds awesome!

[raz]

The name of the restaurant reminds me of the other dog story yesterday about the drunk diabetic.

[Odin-Genie]

I'm definitely going. My dogs frequently come with us when we go out for dinner (we usually sit outside) but it would be great to take them to a place where they can have special treats.

[Kissindra]

The name of the restaurant reminds me of the other dog story yesterday about the drunk diabetic.

they could serve pota-toe chips ^_^

[raz]

I have no words, Kiss! Edited August 5, 2010 by raz

[Hetzer]

Well spotted Mr SM!

I used to work for Chew-Chew and still do IT tech support for Naoko, who runs the business. I was there helping out with the interview, and it was a fun morning with dogs getting their photos taken. The reporters were from the Mosman Daily, and their full story is here.

By the way, Chew Chew is online at www.chewchew.com.au. If you go to the 'gallery' you might spot my Vizsla, Kimmi, have a chew!

There was also a segment of Chanel 9 on Wednesday Night, which was fun to spot.

[GeckoTree]

Sounds great! I hope it does well.

[Loving my Oldies]

Well spotted Mr SM!

I used to work for Chew-Chew and still do IT tech support for Naoko, who runs the business. I was there helping out with the interview, and it was a fun morning with dogs getting their photos taken. The reporters were from the Mosman Daily, and their full story is here.

By the way, Chew Chew is online at www.chewchew.com.au. If you go to the 'gallery' you might spot my Vizsla, Kimmi, have a chew!

There was also a segment of Chanel 9 on Wednesday Night, which was fun to spot.

I remember reading about her in Urban Animal when she first started up. Great to see she is still going strong ... and stronger. Must be a lot of hard work.

I will def check it out.