Expectation setter: A few drinks, or some coffee...dinner is somewhat of an afterthought, but still quite good. If you go in seeking libations and happen to want a bite to eat, you'll be happy.
If you happen to come in wanting a proper meal and maybe a drink or two, perhaps a little less stellar...but I'll chalk that up to not really understanding the vibe of this place before we popped over. Lesson learned, and...it's still a lovely spot for a drink.
As other yelpers have mentioned, the Royal Star has recently been gutted, renovated, shined up, the male servers are in vests and the gals in pouty red lipstick and impossibly gorgeous unkempt locks, the crowd is young and fresh, the drinks are shaken furiously...the floors wooden and stripped, the lights filament and the windows rosy with candlelight and happiness. Yes, the old grumpy men have been shipped elsewhere...the young hipster set quickly replacing them. Is this sad? Probably. But, it is true...Royal Star has been revamped.
We came in late on a Saturday night for a casual meal and due to the poor configuration of tables (seriously...about 15 round small cocktail tables all jammed together in the back portion) we ended up sharing a counter space, looking out over a side street. Not a bad spot, but a table is preferred when eating dinner. We apparently crashed a 20-something birthdate fete, as the crowd was decidedly young...but well behaved. There were folks in the front portion drinking coffee and chatting. Overall its very laid back. The music is quiet, the service is friendly, the menu is well thought out (though I imagine -- still trying to work out some of the kinks). My seabass was done well and nicely prepared.
The ipad ordering (the servers have them) is a little much. I'm not sure it speeds anything up, as Linzi mentioned...and seems to fluster them. The space is pretty cool, chill. The ipad feature kind of makes it cheesy almost. Not that I wouldn't return...I surely will, it's an excellent spot for a nightcap or pre-dinner drinks at the bar.
Great vibe. My kind of pace. Check it out...it's quite the makeover. read more