dining

This Chow Chow looks ready to chow down or, at the very least, enjoys accompanying an owner for a coffee and snack at a sidewalk café. It's the perfect way to get some yums, and for a dog to enjoy the fresh air.A couple tips to keep in mind when heading out:

• Before You Leave: Although many pet-friendly establishments offer to-go dishes for a pet's water, it can't hurt to bring along your own portable bowls. Also, make sure I've got a non-Flexi leash and a bag (if your pet's small) to be able to secure him. I like to loop the leash around the leg of my chair 'cause I know my weight will keep him down. Remember to pack some to-go treats to prevent the temptation to give your dog any inappropriate human food.
• Before You Enter: Check with a hostess or server before you sit down! Just because it's outside, doesn't mean it's automatically OK. Be mindful of other diners – if it's a crowded patio, it may be better to go elsewhere.

Time to be seated! Learn what to do to help ensure a pleasant meal when you keep reading.

This Chow Chow looks ready to chow down or, at the very least, enjoys accompanying an owner for a coffee and snack at a sidewalk café. It's the perfect way to get some yums, and for a dog to enjoy the fresh air.A couple tips to keep in mind when heading out:

• Before You Leave: Although many pet-friendly establishments offer to-go dishes for a pet's water, it can't hurt to bring along your own portable bowls. Also, make sure I've got a non-Flexi leash and a bag (if your pet's small) to be able to secure him. I like to loop the leash around the leg of my chair 'cause I know my weight will keep him down. Remember to pack some to-go treats to prevent the temptation to give your dog any inappropriate human food.
• Before You Enter: Check with a hostess or server before you sit down! Just because it's outside, doesn't mean it's automatically OK. Be mindful of other diners — if it's a crowded patio, it may be better to go elsewhere.

Time to be seated! Learn what to do to help ensure a pleasant meal when you read more

I often read magazines while lunching, but now Condé Nast wants readers to lunch at its magazines' restaurants. The media empire, which owns Vanity Fair, Vogue, and The New Yorker, among others, is licensing its magazine brands to a buffet of media-inspired restaurants.

Magazines and restaurants are frequent companions, from power-lunch destinations dominated by media types to hotspots run by magazine moguls, including Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter's Waverly Inn and Monkey Bar and the new Lion restaurant, backed by Men's Health editor Dave Zinczenko. Other famous experiments in restaurant-media domination include Playboy's Playboy clubs and the garish ESPN Zones. But Condé Nast is remaking the model.

I live in a foodie town and sometimes I feel like dining out is a sport here in SF. With menus full of decadent foods, it's hard not to be tempted to overindulge, which can be bad news for your waistline. I appreciate you sharing some of your tricks for dining out without throwing your healthy ways out the window. Here are some of your helpful suggestions:

• "When I eat out, I focus on portion control. I order what sounds good to me on the menu, which is not necessarily what is labeled as a healthy choice. When I get the item, I divide it in half (or even in a third if it's an extra large portion) and I only eat one half and box the other half." — kimmieb124
• "I usually look up the menu and the nutrition prior to going out. I pick out something that won't go over calorie limit and I get psyched for it." — belle28
• Deidre says, "I think the biggest thing for me is eating slowly and making sure to talk a lot. Socialization is a big part of the reason I'm dining out to begin with, right? By eating slower I fill up on less, so I can take the leftovers home for later."
• "I never go on a completely empty stomach, I always have a small snack bar (about 120 to 150 calories) in my purse just in case — I will eat it even if I am waiting 30 minutes for a table. I always make sure my blood sugar is level so I don't scarf down everything in sight." — lemuse20
• An anonymous reader wrote, "I prefer to split an entree and avoid leftovers so I can get back to clean eating the next day. Restaurant food always has a lot of sodium and, for me, the more I consume, the more it tends to trigger sodium cravings."
• "What I do is when I know I will be eating out, I eat very responsibly the rest of the day." — Anonymous

A beautiful formal dining room is like an Oscars dress of interiors: you're in love with it, but you'll only wear it once. If I had the space, I would certainly give my formal dining room the works: chandeliers, fine china, expensive chairs, and a table with room for eight (or 12!). But in my day-to-day life, it's a bit impractical to set the table for every meal. Let's face it, there's nothing I love more than eating takeout in front of the latest Netflix delivery. And for most meals I cook, a casual kitchen table will do when just two of us are eating. How about you? Tell me what your dining style is and how it has affected your decorating choices. If life were different, would you want a formal dining space, or would you still prefer more casual dining?

Photo by Ty Cole

From now until July 2, save on a number of eco-friendly dining items, including the plates I featured in my Ocean Waves roundup. I love the Flowered Enamel Serving Bowls ($22 to $26), as well as the Bottle Glass Tumblers ($38 to $49), which are made from cobalt-blue recycled glass. Stock up on Summer dining essentials when you shop the sale!