the lazy dog cafe: yum
We didn’t want to try Lazy Dog because we were under the false impression that it was owned by Mimi’s Cafe – and you know my feelings about chain restaurants! It is actually owned by the son of the guy who used to own Mimi’s but sold it to another chain. The Lazy Dog Cafe has six locations throughout Southern California and we have been to two of those locations the past week alone. This review was done at our Lazy Dog at The Patios at Valencia Town Center
We went on Wednesday night and wondered why the place was so packed. I guess we live under a rock because it took us a few minutes to realize that it was Saint Patrick’s Day! Was it the green beer that gave it away? The manager Matt Book told me that they are actually busy most days.
The dog theme is adorable and runs through the menu, the decor and even the staff uniforms. I just love the fact that you can dine on the patio with your dog and they even offer healthy food for the canines of hamburgers, hot dogs or chicken breasts for only $2.95 each!
The Togarashi Edamame Beans were insane as was the Iceberg Wedge. I want to rave about the Orange Peel Calamari Wok Platter as well. They use fresh calamari steak, not the tubes and tenticles, batter in potato starch (gluten free) and saute with a yummy orange sauce. The calamari is so completely tender that you could mistake it for chicken.
My mother-in-law ordered the Braised Pot Roast Melt which was so large she couldn’t finish it. Dan ordered the Ro’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Cajun Fries and Chipotle Ranch. The kids enjoyed their meals which concluded with them creating build-your-own dog collar desserts. The place is great for kids!
The flat bread pizza’s looked amazing. Unfortunately I couldn’t try them because I eat gluten-free. But my daughter had a kids flat bread pizza and loved it and I saw grilled garlic flat bread on many tables!
The service was amazing – the staff really understanding their menu and the preparations and caring about the guests having a great experience. A friend of mine who eats gluten and dairy free said that the chef made her son a special sauce that was gluten free and told her to let them know and they would love to accommodate their special dietary needs.
I can’t wait to go back to try the Hawaiian Ahi Poke, Rocky Mountain Wings, Italian Chopped Salad, Braised Lamb Shanks and Pesto Chicken and Hummus Salad! Support this restaurant and tell them Chef Dawn sent you!
Chef Dawn Walker is owner of Dawn’s Dinners, SCV’s best kept dinner secret. This week at Dawn’s Dinners she is making soy-braised tofu with broccoli and brown rice and turkey meatloaf with BBQ glaze and mashed potatoes. In the freezer she has corned beef and cabbage, Moroccan chicken with prunes and quinoa, eggplant and turkey over bulgur wheat, maple Dijon turkey breast with roasted sweet potatoes and zucchini, split pea soup, black bean sweet potato soup, turkey chili, Italian beef and macaroni casserole, tamale pie, bbq turkey pot pie, arroz con pollo and braised honey lemon pork. Many meals are low fat, gluten free, dairy free, low glycemic index or vegetarian. Each meal costs $25 and feed four and are kid tested. Monthly meal plans are all the craze costing as low as $100 per month for four full meals! Go to her website to sign up for her weekly menu newsletter and see whats cooking at Dawn’s Dinners.
I love Lazy dog – have been there many times for lunch and every meal has been wonderful.. Looking forward to warmer weather when we can bring the puppy