Omnivore Atlanta

Jim writes to ask:

Some friends and I had a few questions about the propriety of allowing non-service dogs in restaurants. We thought you and the readers might be able to offer some insight.

1) Are there any laws/health code regulations governing this? I am presuming animals are not allowed in food prep areas, but what about indoors?

2) If there are, is it more permissible to allow dogs on a patio vs. inside a restaurant?

I asked our news writer Scott Henry to look into it, and he came up with this from Fulton County:

Fulton Co. Code Sec. 34-160
Animals
Live animals, including birds and turtles, shall be excluded from within the food service operational premises and  from adjacent areas under the control of the permit holder. This exclusion does not apply to edible fish,  crustacean, shellfish or the fish in aquariums. Patrol dogs accompanying security or police officers, or guide  dogs accompanying blind persons, shall be permitted in dining areas.

So, no – under Fulton County’s health code, most dogs are not allowed in restaurants, or on the patios adjacent to the restaurant. But they can hang out in bars all day!

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A month ago, I wrote about the Standard (327 Memorial Drive, 404-681-3344), a pub in Grant Park with better than average food. Last week, I stopped by and experienced fried collard greens for the first time. (Imagine radiantly green, featherlight chips.) This week, I visited for the chef’s regular Monday night special of chicken curry — the South Carolina low-country version called “Country Captain.”

I suggest you make it your business to be there next Monday. Unlike the thousand versions of this dish I ate as a kid — my mother was from South Carolina — this was piquant (but not fiery), the chicken moist and not overwhelmed by rank seasonings. It was served with green-pea dal, mango chutney and white rice. Our server winced when Wayne and I both ordered it. She said that it was a big serving and that a lot of people share a single dish. Well, we’re not like other people. We’re professional plate cleaners, dammit, and we didn’t leave a drop. (Besides, it’s cheap, under $10.)

How good was it? So good that this dog whined pathetically at my feet for a taste.

By the way, a similar pub will be opening in the 300 block of Edgewood Avenue in January.

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