I’m all about the food, as you know. So imagine my surprise to learn today that there is a culinary tradition for the Westminster Kennel Club’s Best in Show winner to eat his first lunch served on a silver platter at Sardi’s!

And so this afternoon, a little Affenpinscher named Banana Joe, like many a prized pooch before him, chowed on tiny pieces of filet mignon hand fed to him by his trainer, Ernesto Lara, at the famous theatre district celebrity haunt.

Apparently the tradition came under fire last year when the Sardi’s tradition ran afoul of the New York City Health Code. So the restaurant agreed to abolish the longstanding Best in Show dog eating in the dining room policy and apply for a one-day waiver to allow the canine guest safe passage into Sardi’s.

Frankly, I don’t understand this doggie dining derring-do. I’m sure Joey’s table manners are far superior to some of Sardi’s regulars!

Prized pooch Banana Joe dines on filet mignon at Sardi’s today. (AP Photo)

Tags: Best in Show, Broadway, Dining, Dogs