A decade is an eternity in restaurant years, which makes Bella Vista stalwart Royal Tavern something of a living relic. To mark its 10 year milestone, the faithful forerunner to the city’s now pervasive (read: played out) gastropub movement is taking a “greatest hits” approach to celebrations over the next ten days. Chef Mark McKinney is digging deep into the Royal menu archives, and pulling up some of the best dishes the restaurant’s served since opening back in 2002. Festivities kick off today with the return of the OG Royal Burger that earned the top slot on the Food Network’s national rankings, plus four other all-beef beauties that’ve been served over the years. In the days to come, keep an eye out for such crowd-pleasers as the house-smoked duck club, which Craig LaBan once raved about, and the meatloaf sandwich that used to win over diners with its amazing bacon marmalade. Keep reading to see the full lineup of throwback menu items that are returning.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
- Bacon Burger with cheddar, bacon, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and chile mayonnaise
- Surf ‘n’ Turf Burger featuring a Maryland crab cake, butter lettuce, tomato, and old bay aioli
- Hawaiian Burger topped with grilled Spam, roasted pineapple, Lomi Lomi tomatoes, and daikon sprouts
- Falafel Burger with tahini sauce, pickled cucumbers, grilled red onions, and tomato
Chipotle Glazed Salmon Burger with guacamole, grilled romaine, chipotle onions, and lime-cilantro mayonnaise
Thursday, October 11, 2012
- Grilled Oysters with smoked jalapeño mignonette
- Cider-Braised Pork Belly with root vegetable latkes, roasted apples, and mustard-cider jus
- Veal Cheek Grilled Cheese
- Roasted Chicken Breast with butternut squash, Catalan spinach, cinnamon-cardamom creme fraiche, and frangelio jus
Friday, October 12, 2012
French Onion Soup
- Pepperoni Pizza Soup
- New England Clam Chowder
- Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots
- Pulled Pork Nachos
- Cubano Spring Rolls
- Pig Wings
- Korean Fried Chicken
- Bacon and Potato Flatbread Pizza
Saturday, October 13, 2012 and Sunday, October 14, 2012
- Eggs Blackstone featuring poached eggs, fried tomatoes, crumbled bacon, English muffin, and hollandaise
- Blueberry-Ricotta Pancakes
- Pork Belly and Sweet Potato Hash
- Barbecue Brisket Omelet with green chiles, caramelized onions, smoked cheddar, bacon
- Salmon Cake Eggs Benedict with green chile cornbread and chipotle hollandaise
Monday, October 15, 2012
- Barbecue Bean Chili
- Portabello Panini with grilled broccoli rabe, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, and tomato and smoked tofu spread
- Tofu Bulgogi Steak Sandwich with chile-garlic sauce, bell peppers, onions, and vegan mozzarella
- Mushroom Pibil Torta with refried beans, avocado, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato
- Vegan Beef Stroganoff
- Pumpkin and Red Lentil Curry
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
- Crispy Seitan, Green Apple and Swiss Sandwich with spinach and walnut mayonnaise
- Meatloaf Sandwich with bacon marmalade, gruyere, fried onions, and smoked tomato ketchup
- Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich with bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and chipotle dressing
- Barbecue Brisket Sandwich topped with bacon, smoked cheddar, fried onions, and horseradish mayonnaise
- Smoked Duck Club with bacon, sun-dried cherry relish, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
- Grilled Octopus Salad with oven-dried tomato, preserved lemon, baby arugula, tahini vinaigrette, crispy chickpeas, and smoked paprika
- B.L.T. Salad featuring heirloom tomatoes, bibb lettuce, bacon croutons, grilled asparagus, hard-boiled egg, and tomato-truffle vinaigrette
- Mixed Greens Salad with English peas, grilled green onions, roasted corn, Fuji apples, sunflower seeds, and smoked corn vinaigrette
- Louisiana Crawfish Boil Salad with potatoes, corn on the cob, artichoke hearts, mixed greens, and roasted garlic aioli
- Ratatouille Salad with crispy proscuitto, grilled asparagus, arugula, feta, and grilled onion-balsamic dressing
Friday, October 19, 2012
- Shepherd’s Pie with lamb, beef, carrots, onions, parsnips, rutabagas, turnips, red wine gravy, and mashed potatoes
- Grilled Flat Iron Steak with warm potato and pork belly salad, grilled green onions, and spicy rocoto pepper jus
- Brick Seared Half Chicken with mac ‘n’ cheese, grilled asparagus, and Kansas City-style barbecue sauce
- Crispy Pork Ribs with buffalo sauce, blue cheese mashed potatoes, and garlic spinach
- Thai Red Curry Salmon with jasmine rice and sesame bok choy
