Meals to woof down

A dog named Pepe waiting for a bone-shaped dessert. The Roman restaurant in Ponte Milvio district is the first in Italy to serve dogs. — AFP

PEPE’s meal is so good he licks the plate clean. In any other Rome establishment, slobbering on one’s chicken and mashed potato would be frowned upon – but this is “Fiuto”, Italy’s first dogs’ restaurant.

The lighting is soft, lounge music plays in the background, attentive staff show people and pets to their tables and ask whether furry, four-legged customers might fancy a boiled egg with pureed peas and fontina cheese? Or perhaps a simple fish with ricotta and courgettes?