A Revamping of The Family Dog

Monday, January 25, 2016

The Family Dog in Virginia Highlands is getting a second chance at life. For the past few years, the neighborhood pub has been a bare operation. Long picnic type tables and a stage where musical acts could perform took up the majority of the space along North Highland along with the bar. Originally owned by Chef Ron Eyester, The Family Dog closed, along with his other Morningside eatery Rosebud in October 2015, three months after he pulled the plug on Timone’s Pizza & Deli in the same neighborhood. When he made the decision to shutter his Morningside empire, Eyester admitted he had expanded too quickly.

But don’t fret. There is hope. A new owner has stepped up, made some changes including getting rid of the stage, adding more seating, making that seating a little more comfortable and changing up the menu. The only thing that remains of the old Family Dog is the large mural along the main wall inside. Other than that it’s a fresh start.

The Family Dog is under new ownership with a redesigned inside allowing for more seating.

The Family Dog is under new ownership with a redesigned inside allowing for more seating.

The bar and some new seating options at The Family Dog.

The bar and some new seating options at The Family Dog.

The bar runs the length of the space at The Family Dog.

The bar runs the length of the space at The Family Dog.

Seating across from the bar is a little darker and cozier than at the front.

Seating across from the bar is a little darker and cozier than at the front.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The stage is gone allowing seating for a large party in the corner at The Family Dog.

The stage is gone allowing seating for a large party in the corner at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.

The newly redesigned inside at The Family Dog.