Sea Wolf launches dogs-only menu with human-grade ingredients

Sea Wolf, the Brooklyn seafood restaurant known for its waterfront vibe, is launching a dogs-only menu called “Al La Bark” that will begin Sept. 27. The program is designed for canine guests and centers on what organizers describe as human-grade ingredients, offering a restaurant-style dining experience for pets. The centerpiece is a three-course prix fixe that starts at $9, a price point the restaurant says makes the experience accessible for pet families alongside the more expensive human mains that typically populate its menu, such as lobster dinners and grilled salmon plates.

Highlights of the canine lineup include salmon jerky starters, beef with sweet potatoes, turkey with blueberries, and a coconut-ty puppuccino for dessert. The prix fixe comprises three courses and is designed to feel like a proper dinner for dogs. The concept builds on a collaboration with Ollie, a pet-food maker known for fresh, human-grade ingredients. Brand chef Bryan Angolia said the turkey is his personal favorite, and he noted that many pet parents enjoy dining out with their dogs and appreciate having something engaging for their pets while they eat. Sea Wolf will operate the program with a dedicated team that handles the canine menu separately, including a dedicated fridge stocked with fresh ingredients that will be replenished weekly.

Sea Wolf’s push into pet dining comes amid a broader trend in New York City: more restaurants are accommodating four-legged companions, while others maintain strict no-pet policies due to health rules and ADA considerations. Restaurant representatives stress that the canine program is designed to enhance the dining experience for pet households, not to replace human guests. Angelica Vergel, Sea Wolf’s spokesperson, told The Post that the decision reflects the restaurant’s identity as a dog-friendly destination and a belief that pets deserve a special dining option when their humans eat nearby. “Sea Wolf itself is already a dog destination, so we thought, why not make Sea Wolf even more pet friendly,” Vergel said. “We want to make sure every pet feels special when they’re there — just like their humans.”

The initiative also comes with practical considerations. Ollie’s involvement means that the dog-friendly dishes are crafted from ingredients consistent with the brand’s standards for canine nutrition, and the restaurant is arranging weekly deliveries to maintain freshness. Angolia noted that providing a structured meal can help anxious or bored dogs settle in during their owners’ meals, adding that the approach aims to reduce stress for both pets and their people. The collaboration underscores a broader interest among pet parents in combining wellness with social dining experiences for their dogs.

The plan has drawn mixed responses from NYC diners. Some pet owners welcome dog-friendly dining as a natural extension of everyday life, while others remain skeptical. A nod to that debate, Danit Sibovits, an Upper West Side lawyer, told The Post, “It’s gross— I don’t want dog hair or slobber near my food.” Still, Sea Wolf’s management argues that the new menu reinforces a growing segment of urban dining where people seek spaces that accommodate four-legged companions while maintaining a high standard of hospitality for all guests. The restaurant group emphasizes that the canine offerings are a complement to, not a replacement for, the main dining room.

As Sea Wolf rolls out the Al La Bark program, observers will watch whether the canine-focused menu helps redefine what a “dog-friendly” restaurant can be in a major city. If successful, the concept could influence other venues to consider similar pet-centric expansions, pairing pet wellness trends with established dining formats in busy urban neighborhoods.