Gourmet dining for dogs in Italy

A new restaurant in Italy's giving dogs the VIP treatment. Fiuto is Italy's first restaurant for our canine companions, who are even provided with a specially designed menu.

Responsible for this a la carte experience, chef Luca Grammatico's sensitive to their dietary needs.

Luca Grammatico: "The menu's been created in a very similar way to the human menu. It's made up of things that we can normally eat. Of course, we've tried to flavour it without using any spices, salts or oils, trying to make it look like a cooked meal by presenting it in a slightly gourmet form."

Dribbling over a piece of chicken or licking the plate clean is something most restaurants might not tolerate. However, at Fiuto's, which presents dogs with their food in designer bowls, it's absolutely welcome. And if the absence of barking's anything to go by, it would seem that the food has the dogs' approval.

One big fan of the doggy diner is Maria Gliottone, who's here with her dog Nala and Nala's pal, Douglas.

Maria Gliottone: "This is a very good thing. Because when we go to restaurants with her, she always wants to eat from our plates. So here, everything's more comfortable."

Portion cost is dependent on the size of the individual pet's appetite, with owners paying anything from 8 to 20 euros for each dog-sized serving. Dividing screens protect the food from other diners since most canine clients prefer not to share their meal. Then, the dogs are free to recline on a furry blanket in between courses.

Although some may consider it all a little pricey, Romina Lanza believes it's a question of personal choice.

Romina Lanza: "It's a personal choice to come. It's an option that's available. People can easily come or not come. But it's definitely an opportunity for those who want to do so. No, I don't see anything wrong with it, honestly."

If Fiuto seems a touch extravagant for everyday dining, it's certainly an option for milestones such as birthdays. And the pampered pet may even be given a present courtesy of the house.

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