THE ROYAL TREATMENT: CHEF DAVID GUNAWAN’S NEW FARM-TO-TABLE RESTAURANT ROYAL DINETTE NOW OPEN IN VANCOUVER’S FINANCIAL DISTRICT
Locally-Sourced Menu, Casual Ambiance and Professional Service Come Together
for Distinctive Chef-Driven Dining in the Downtown Core
Royal Dinette, a fresh new restaurant concept that brings authentic farm-to-table cuisine to downtown Vancouver courtesy of celebrated locavore chef David Gunawan, officially opens its doors to the public today at 905 Dunsmuir St. below the Blackbird Public House.
Already renowned for his focus on supporting local farms and producers with unforgettable, fresh-daily fare at award-winning restaurant Farmer’s Apprentice and new natural wine bar Grapes & Soda in Vancouver’s South Granville neighbourhood, Chef/Owner Gunawan now migrates his culinary philosophy of quality, creativity and seasonality to a wider audience in the heart of Vancouver’s Financial District.
Boasting an open kitchen layout, fresh pasta, pastry and butchery stations and seating for 70 in the dining room and at the chef’s counter and bar, Royal Dinette marries the laidback, informal feel of a bygone diner with a polished standard of service.
“I believe that good food that is sourced locally and showcases a diversity of artisanal, seasonal ingredients should be accessible and approachable to everyone,” says Gunawan, who partnered with the Donnelly Group on the new venture. “At Royal Dinette, we want to captivate our guests and capture their attention with a focus on fresh, quality-driven product without the complexity.”
Beyond a range of à la carte options and small plates, Gunawan’s menu offers up an ever-changing selection of seasonal prix-fixe fare available as both a six-course dinner menu with optional drink pairings, as well as a condensed lunch menu delivered with an eye for quality, presentation and speed of service.
Gunawan is joined in the kitchen by Head Chef Jack Chen, former Chef de Cuisine at both L’Abattoir and Farmer’s Apprentice, while a seasoned front-of-house staff is steered by Jonathan Therrien, formerly of L’Abattoir, Café Medina and Chambar, and Chen-Wei Lee, who previously managed Chambar, Blacktail, Wildebeest and Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie.
Wendy McGuinness, formerly of Chambar and Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar, holds court as Bar Manager and curates a drink menu that offers guests an array of local craft beer and wine as well as a selection of handcrafted cocktails. From 4:30 to 6 p.m. daily, the restaurant will feature a range of L’Apéro (Happy Hour) specials such as bubbles on tap, classic vermouth- and pastis-based cocktails and more for $6.
Décor-wise, Beyond Beige Interior Design, Milltown Contracting and Glasfurd & Walker combined efforts to reflect Gunawan’s farm-forward, from-the-ground-up philosophy. Reclaimed, whitewashed cedar planks adorn the seats and stone-top tables and jars of canned goods and preserves take pride of place throughout the restaurant, while idiosyncratic details of a traditional dinette are evoked by pairing upholstered seats and banquettes with local art pieces and accents of brass and light tile. Anchoring the layout is an exclusive chef’s counter seating area that incorporates emperador dark marble, butcher block and stainless steel and overlooks the kitchen, allowing guests an up-close-and-personal interaction with Gunawan and his team as they prepare and present their signature dishes.
Royal Dinette is open for lunch Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., daily L’Apéro specials from 4:30 to 6 p.m. as well as dinner and late-night libations Monday to Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to late.
To stay in touch with Royal Dinette, sign up for their e-newsletter at royaldinette.ca or follow @RoyalDinette on Twitter and Instagram.
About Royal Dinette | Located in the heart of Vancouver’s Financial District below the Blackbird Public House, Royal Dinette revolves around celebrated chef David Gunawan’s signature focus on bringing together the best fresh, locally sourced ingredients for a true farm-to-table feast for the senses. With an ever-changing seasonal menu, fresh pasta, pastry and butcher stations and a bar menu offering an array of local craft beer, sparkling wine and handcrafted cocktails, Royal Dinette pairs the laidback, informal atmosphere of a bygone diner with an elegant standard of service to bring quality, value and creativity of cuisine to a whole new audience.
905 Dunsmuir St., Vancouver B.C. V6C 1A8 | 604-974-8077 | walk-in only
