Common Room Co launches menu for dogs

Dog friendly is taken to a whole new level at this Caulfield North cafe, where a canine caterer is producing exclusive dishes for their four-legged customers. But do they do pooched eggs?

Anthony Wallace with Daisey and Baileys try out the dog menu, which includes Peking duck jerky and kangaroo ribs. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Forget the water bowl by the door, this Caulfield North cafe is going above and beyond for its canine customers.

The Common Room Co, which opened on Alma Rd in May, is now serving an exclusive range of dishes just for dogs.

The K9 Menu is described as “the finest and freshest produce for your cultured canine”.

Dishes range in price from $2.95 to $7.95 and include entrees of Peking duck jerky or shark cartilage and mains of lamb shank bone, beef bully stick or outback kangaroo ribs.

Dessert is a mouth-watering plate of chicken necks.

Pooches watching their waistlines can sip on a Yappacino — a frothy non dairy treat served in a bowl.

Co-owner Antony Wallace, who has two dogs of his own, said the cafe had consulted local business K9 Katering.

“They are providing us with all the product. It’s really high quality,” he said.

“There are no additives, chemicals or preservatives and the animal products are all free range and grass fed.

“The company is very particular about who they sell to as well because they want to maintain a feeling of exclusivity.”

Mr Wallace, who trained under Shannon Bennett at Vue de monde, said the K9 menu was wildly popular.

“Lots of people come in with their dogs and after offering them our regular menu we ask if they want to see our menu for dogs.

The Common Room Co team — Caterina Altrieth, Antony Wallace, Anthony Abazis and Nicholas Pettigrove.

“They laugh and then are thrilled when they realise we’re serious.”

The dogs dine al fresco but waiters are happy to serve them at the table along with the two-legged friends.

Human customers are also well catered for with old school dishes updated with modern flair.

Head Chef Nicholas Pettigrove, alumnus of The Hyatt, said he wanted to “take classics learnt way back in my apprenticeship days and make them modern”.

The brioche bun with fried egg, halloumi, bacon and avo.

He said menu standouts included confit salmon poke bowl with edamame, crispy enoki, baby corn, red elk, togarashi grilled avocado, black rice, roasted sesame dressing and ricotta hot cakes with torched meringue, banana, strawberries, kiwi, salted butterscotch, almond and oat crumble, matcha dusting.

Spiced pumpkin salad.

Mr Wallace said all tastes and lifestyles were catered for with vegan and vegetarian dishes on offer including a spiced pumpkin salad with super grains, pomegranate, black miso eggplant, hummus, smoked almond and puffed quinoa crumble with crispy zatar.

“We’ve paid attention to the community we’re in and made some changes to classic dishes to suit,” he said.

“For example we do a beef rib benny which is a twist on a traditional eggs Benedict.

“The classic normally has pork with it but pork isn’t a big seller in Caulfield North!”

There’s also a selection of pastry delights, including a S’mores macaron.

Mr Wallace said the venue had recently gained a liquor licence and planned to offer boutique beers and cider along with mimosas.

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Common Room Co is the brainchild of Mr Wallace and business partner Anthony Abazis.

“Common Room Co took us back to our high school years where friends and peers enjoyed the benefits of the common room — a place where we ate our lunch, studied, socialised, listened to cool tunes or just chilled,” Mr Abazis said.

The Common Room Co muffins.

“We wanted to create a similar space for all to enjoy.”

Mr Abazis spent many years running his families business Margellina Pizza Bistro in nearby Elsternwick and is planning to hold a “nostalgic event” at the new venue to honour his past.

Common Room Co is at 257 Alma Rd, Caulfield North

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