Royale

This year for Food and Drink Experience, I was lucky enough to be hosted by Royale. Under the Teatro Restaurant Group, this restaurant occupies the space that was the old Melrose pub. Originally a classic French brasserie, the restaurant was recently renovated and turned into a stylish eclectic brasserie. The interior is a millennials dream, with many plants and a touch of fancy.

For dinner, they’re offering a $65 6-course gourmet menu served family-style.

Interior of Royale

First Courses: Coconut & Squash Soup, Red Lentil & Roasted Garlic Hummus

Coconut & Squash Soup - cold pressed canola, basil, focaccia crouton

Red Lentil & Roasted Garlic Hummus - marinated olives, feta, crisp pita

I thoroughly enjoyed the Coconut & Squash Soup, it was light and packed with flavour, a great way to start off the meal. The Red Lentil & Roasted Garlic Hummus was great as well, the marinated olives gave it acidity and the warm chewy pita was the perfect dipping tool.

Second Courses: Grilled Steelhead, Braised Beef Short Rib, Hickory Smoked Red Potatoes, Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Grilled Steelhead - chimichurri

Braised Beef Short Rib - mushroom jus

Hickory Smoked Red Potatoes // Roasted Brussels Sprouts // Braised Fennel

The Steelhead was grilled perfectly, crispy skin, flaky and not dry. I also love a good chimichurri sauce and this one didn’t disappoint! My favourite had to be the Hickory Smoked Red Potatoes and Roasted Brussels Sprouts, right when the dish was served, you can smell the smokiness coming off from the plate. The potatoes had the right amount of chewy, mushy and firmness and the brussels sprouts was cooked just right (crispy and crunchy but still cooked). I was only slightly disappointed with the Braised Beef Short Rib, it was tender but a little dry.

Third Courses: Royale Magnum Bar, Lemon Tart

Royale Magnum Bar - hazelnut ice cream, milk chocolate, frangelico cream

Lemon Tart - sables bretons, toasted honey meringue, confit lemon

To finish off the meal, we had a board of Royale Magnum Bar and Lemon Tart, I mean who doesn’t love a nutty house-made ice cream bar!

Overall I would definitely go back to check out their regular menu. Our server was attentive and the service was great! They also have a killer covered patio to the side, I heard they have great Aperol Spritz 🍹

Raw Bar - Food and Drink Experience 2019

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Raw Bar - Food and Drink Experience 2019

For the main course, it was a choice between Thai Seafood Green Curry with coconut rice and General Tso’s Cauliflower however, none of us ordered the cauliflower because we lovee seafood. But wow, the curry was the star of the night! It had many layers of flavour and the perfectly cooked seafood was extremely fresh.

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Ten Foot Henry - Food and Drink Experience 2019

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For the third and fourth course, it was the Achiote Chicken and Fried Potatoes. This. Chicken. Was. So. Good. It was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The meat was extremely juicy and moist. The aji verde with the hints of cilantro took the chicken to the next level. I would definitely order this again.

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