Downtown restaurant lets diners bring dogs

So what does a working stiff do on his day off?

If you are Jesse James, an Australian Shepherd service dog,  you take a dip in a pool, play a little ball and quaff a few cool ones with friends at a  downtown bistro.

"Look at him wiggle his butt," says Patty Crossey.  "He is having such a good time." Jesse, who can usually be found helping Crossey and visiting hospitals and hospices, was letting his fur down with a dozen other dogs enjoying the new canine restaurant experience at Nosh.

The bistro, 121 S. Tejon St., allows  doggie guests on their patio 11 a.m. to 6 m. Sundays.

Of course, there are a few other restaurants scattered around town that allow leashed dogs on patios - after all, this is Colorado Springs, the city named "most dog friendly" by two national magazines.

But Nosh really knows how to put on the dog for the dogs.

While their owners sip lemonade and sangria, and enjoy plates of tapas, the dogs receive their own hors d'oevres ­- doggie bags stuffed with milk bones, tennis ball, and stylish white and red doggie kerchiefs emblazoned with "I Eat at Nosh" or "If Found Take Me Back to Nosh."

There are several kiddie pools to splash in and lots of room to romp off leash. Doggie water bowls are everywhere, including a bucket with a Miller decal on the side, from which Gita, a white mutt, was drinking lustily while her owner Becca Sickbert was finishing her own drink.

Rushing by their table was Buddy Alowishus, a border collie, who had one tennis ball in his mouth and was intent on herding another one along with his paws.

"We call him Kobe, the ball stealer," says owner Mickey Brown, referring to the Lakers basketball star. "This is great; we get a nice lunch and he gets exercise. We kill two birds with one stone."

Some of the canine patrons aren't into sports, though.

They seem more interested in being seen and looking real good.

Elvis Presley Kane, Sr., was especially rakish in his black T-shirt that proclaimed "Obedience School Dropout." The little Shih Tzu sat regally on a patio chair, his milkbone grasped daintily between his paws.

"He has the best table manners," says his dining companion, Christina Kane. "He's our oldest child. I wanted to introduce him to fine dining."

Her Lhasa apso, Herbie, relaxes at her feet, but alas, her third dog, O.Henry was at home. "He misbehaves," she says.

Only very well-behaved dogs are allowed at Nosh.

"We have the same rules as the dog park at Bear Creek. Dogs aren't welcome if they are out of control," says Nosh bartender Cody Dayton. On this recent Sunday, her three-legged Boston terrier Beans is setting a good example by playing well with others.
It's Dayton who approached Nosh owner Joseph Coleman with the idea.

"I knew he was a dog friendly man. He has three dogs, and it didn't take much to convince him."

The setting is ideal. The patio is fenced and is adjacent to some expansive lawn in case nature calls. (The restaurant provides pickup bags).

The Sunday dog days have been very popular.

They coincide with the restaurant's Sampler Sundays, which features four noshers (appetizers) for $20.They decided against offering a canine lunch menu because they feared it might cause food fights among the four-footed patrons.

"We let everyone know that if they don't like dogs, they can sit inside. But even people without dogs are happy about it and want to sit on the patio, too" Dayton says.

On this day, John and Maggie Johanson are treating Lady Abigail and Katie to an afternoon out. Abigail is their Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Katie is their 7-year-old granddaughter.

"We thought it would be fun for both of them," John Johanson says.

Katie smiles.

"I think it's cool. I like that there are dogs all shapes and sizes."

At the next table, Susan Reich is watching the antics of Bo, her golden retriever, who is stretched out in one of the kiddie pools.

"This is great, " Reich says, as she dines on phyllo-wrapped brie with fire roasted tomatoes and basil. "It's not like a dog park, where the dogs have all the fun. Here, I get to have a gourmet food and enjoy the afternoon, too."

Contact the sriter: 636-0371 or carol.mcgraw@gazette.com.