Food

Photos: Inside Royal Dinette, set to open in Vancouver

by Carolyn Ali on July 22nd, 2015 at 2:05 PM
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      Chef David Gunawan's new restaurant, Royal Dinette, is gearing up to open to the public by the end of this week.

      It's located on the main floor of 905 Dunsmuir Street below Blackbird Public House, and the Donnelly Group is a silent partner.

      Gunawan is a busy man these days. The celebrated chef also recently opened Grapes & Soda, a natural wine bar located beside his acclaimed Farmer's Apprentice restaurant. 

      I checked out Royal Dinette at the media launch last night (July 21). Here's a peek at what's on offer.

      Royal Dinette is a bright space on the main floor below the Blackbird Public House.
       

      The restaurant is a bright space with a lot of natural wood. Designed by Beyond Beige Interior Design, Milltown Contracting, and Glasfurd & Walker, it features reclaimed whitewashed cedar planks and stone table tops.

      The space is punctuated by retro diner touches such as this turquoise chair.
      Carolyn Ali

      The "dinette" feel comes through in retro touches such as turquoise chairs, and quilted-back swivel stools at the bar facing the open kitchen.

      A wall of wine features in one area.

      Gunawan has put together a team of restaurant-industry veterans to run Royal Dinette.

      The menu reflects his farm-to-table philosophy. "It's really honest food," Gunawan said at the launch. "You can see right into the kitchen, and what you see is what you get. There's no hidden agenda."

      Fresh tomatoes in the kitchen.
      Carolyn Ali

      The lunch menu features a la carte dishes like pastas, salads, and fish dishes ($13 to $25 each) as well as a prix fixe option of two courses for $25 or three courses for $30. 

      A few of the dishes Gunawan is known for at his other restaurants, such as his luscious smoked Castelvetrano olives with orange and fennel, are offered at Royal Dinette.

      The farm-to-table fare is available a la carte or as part of a tasting menu at dinner.

      Sharing plates on the dinner menu run from $14 to $27, with charcuterie options to start and a selection of international cheeses for dessert.

      A five-course tasting menu is also an option for $65 per person, with wine pairings an additional $45 per person.

      Here's what was on the table at the media night.

      Salt-baked beetroot with summer berries, fresh cheese, and sorrel granite
      Carolyn Ali
      Green beans with hazelnuts, egg, and herbs.
      Carolyn Ali
      Freshly made black pepper pappardelle with zucchini and Parmesan.
      Carolyn Ali
      Ling cod with grilled cucumber, mussels, caramelized whey, and dill.
      Carolyn Ali
      Stone fruit, salted white chocolate, milk sorbet, and candied hazelnut.
      Carolyn Ali

      Royal Dinette will be open for lunch from Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and for dinner Monday to Saturday, 4:30 p.m. until late. For updates see the restaurant's website.

      Comments

      1 Comments

      Whoopsee

      Jul 23, 2015 at 12:03am

      I clicked on this link because I thought "Royal Dinette" was the name of a drag queen doing a show in town. Anyway, this looks like a nice restaurant with nice food.