I treated my dog with a $75 tasting menu from a new SF restaurant that caters to canines. She enjoyed it and it was great to watch her eat from the table.

Dogue (rhymes with "vogue") is a new storefront, cafe, and pastry shop for dogs and their owners in San Francisco's Mission District.

Dogue opened in September 2022 along Valencia Street in the city’s sunniest area.

Dogue offers fresh foods online to canines since 2015. After reading about the new brick-and mortar spot, I decided it was worth taking Heidi, my tiny Aussie, along with my daughter of five to have a look.

Dogue has gotten a lot of attention as a restaurant for dogs, but most days it's a store selling fresh dog food, custom canine meal plans, and decadent dog treats.

It was started by Rahmi Massarweh, a trained chef who told me he "went down a rabbit hole" learning about animal nutrition in an effort to extend his own dog's life.

Dogue sells refrigerated, raw dog food. You can buy large 12-ounce packages of wild venison at $14.50, pastured chicken at $24 and grass-fed beef at $34.

Additional dog supplements are available from Dogue for gut, skin and coat. Prices range from $9.95 to $14.95 Its website provides information on how to convert a dog to a raw-food diet.

Dogue’s dog-centric atmosphere is a fitting one. It even sells stylish dog accessories like bowls, leashes, and collars — perfect for San Franciscans, who claim there are more dogs than children living here.

Source: SanFrancisco Magazine

The city had between 5,000 to 35,000 more dogs in 2016 than children under 18. Dogue sells merchandise and dried treats to cater to this group.

Source: KQED

It's also become a place for dog owners to celebrate birthdays or other special occasions. Dogue offers dogs and their owners a seated meal at its Bone Appétit Cafe, on Sundays only.

Guests — four-legged and human — are encouraged to get comfortable on the furniture. There are four small tables that can be used as dining areas, with enough space to avoid any dog jealousy.

At 11 a.m. all the tables were taken. Two corgis were excited to see us, as well as a small Frenchie and a large mastiff.

After waiting for 40 minutes, our table with three chairs was ready. The Bone Appétit Cafe is walk-in only. The detailed rugs are my favorite part of the Bone Appetit Cafe.

The lighting was also elegant. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling to create a vibe that's more "full-service restaurant" than "dog food."

The menu was presented to us in a leather portfolio just like a restaurant. On this Sunday, the rotating menu contained three options, each available à la carte or as part of the full tasting menu.

Although Heidi was presented to my daughter, we decided to try the $75 tasting. The staff waited for us to be seated before making our final decision.

The experience also included some free treats for humans. We had the option of sparkling water, orange juice, and mimosas, served in carafes with tiny crystal goblets.

First course was quickly delivered: Chicken and Chaga Mushroom soup made with whole pasture-bird poultry and simmered in apple cider vinegar for eight hours. The dish costs $27 per person.

Dogue owner, chef Massarweh, poured the broth for Heidi tableside — just as a server at a restaurant might do for a human patron. It's served lukewarm so eager dogs don't burn their mouths.

Heidi was initially confused about how to eat the food from the table. Heidi began by slowly licking the broth, looking at my permission each time she took a few more. However, she was clearly excited.

She realized that it was all for herself after a few seconds of trepidation. She finished the broth, and quickly ate three pieces cooked chicken breast in one piece. She finished the dish in 90 seconds.

Heidi knew that this was the right experience for her. She sat quietly in her chair, anticipating the next step. Other dogs behaved in a similar way.

You will also find some surprises on the tasting menu, similar to a human tasting menu. Heidi loved this Massarweh-prepared bite of organic pumpkin.

Shortly after the pumpkin, came the second course: Chicken Skin Waffles and Charcoal Flan. It costs $29.95 if purchased as a single item.

Heidi stood on her two legs to grab the small waffle made of chicken skin and ground cassava. It was gone in one bite by Heidi, before Massarweh and I could take photos.

Heidi was briefly confused after taking a bite of the gelatinous flan. The garnish was the first she ate, but she continued to eat the entire meal.

Massarweh delivered on its promise to be the place dogs love. Massarweh prepared a Caprese salad for my daughter with burrata and basil.

Massarweh worked closely with California's Department of Food and Agriculture to get his business state-inspected and licensed. Dogue, however, required seven certificates. He stated that human restaurants require only two certificates.

Massarweh’s final course made Heidi seem less well-mannered. She jumped onto the table to get closer, and probably would have jumped onto this plate if she could've. This is completely acceptable!

Massarweh serves a plate of grassfed steak tartare with filet mignon and quail eggs. Purchased à la carte, it costs $32.

The steak tartare was almost identical to what you would find in a restaurant. Massarweh said he's tried nearly everything on the menu and the tartare is good, but lacks all seasoning human diners expect.

This dish contained the only ingredient that Heidi didn't appreciate — sprouts. They got stuck between her teeth and she looked frustrated.

After having her Sprouts and other vegetables removed, she seemed to have lost interest in the beef but was now full. Massarweh serves the same portions to every dog who visits the cafe, but Dogue's custom meal plans include serving sizes adjusted to a specific dog's caloric needs.

An off-menu dessert was then created from raw antelope heart. It's one of the few dishes Masserweh hasn't tried. (He tastes for balance, before adding the heart.

Massarweh stated that, aside from special occasions like birthdays and other holidays, many people bring their elderly pets to enjoy an extra-special, once-in-a lifetime meal. Heidi is 7.

After tip, our total was $100. "If ingredients of this quality were being served to humans, they would be like four times the price," Massarweh said.

My dog and other dogs in the area were remarkable calm throughout the whole meal. While most dogs were kept leashed by their owners, every dog seemed to be too interested in the experience to leave.

Massarweh stated that Dogue’s purpose is to change the way we feed our animals. "I think the idea of presenting and plating this food is my vehicle for shining a light on this," he said.

Dogue also sells a variety delicious pastries-like treats ($15 each), made from ingredients such as chicken or antelope. When we arrived, the case was nearly full and almost empty when we left.

Every detail was taken into consideration! The dog theme continues even inside Dogue's bathroom, which is decorated with dog decals and funny signage.

Our visit to Dogue was a pleasant one. Heidi left Dogue with a full stomach and normal energy for the return journey. We didn't notice any changes to her digestion or bathroom habits, either.

I'd save this splurge for a special event, but I'd go back to Dogue, maybe next time with a group!