Although Royal/T—a café, boutique, and art space adapted from the idea of the meido kissa (maid cafés) of Tokyo’s Akihabara district—had a media preview late last year, it made its official debut on Saturday with a party in conjunction with Los Angeles Art Weekend, a festival showcasing art in the city.
Takaya Goto and Lesley Chi of Goto Design designed the 10,000-square-foot mixed-use space, which features concrete floors, plexiglass walls, and an open floor plan. The café seats 36 with room for an additional six at the bar, and the entire space has a capacity of 260. In the café, servers dressed in Akihabara-style maid uniforms deliver offerings like miso chicken and avocado with microgreens on baguettes; royal shrimp on baby greens with avocado, asparagus, and a ponzu dressing; and budding jasmine rose tea.The art space exhibits rotating pieces of contemporary Japanese art from owner Susan Hancock’s collection.
Takaya Goto and Lesley Chi of Goto Design designed the 10,000-square-foot mixed-use space, which features concrete floors, plexiglass walls, and an open floor plan. The café seats 36 with room for an additional six at the bar, and the entire space has a capacity of 260. In the café, servers dressed in Akihabara-style maid uniforms deliver offerings like miso chicken and avocado with microgreens on baguettes; royal shrimp on baby greens with avocado, asparagus, and a ponzu dressing; and budding jasmine rose tea.The art space exhibits rotating pieces of contemporary Japanese art from owner Susan Hancock’s collection.
Photo: Basil Childers
Photo: Basil Childers
Photo: Basil Childers
Photo: Basil Childers
Photo: Basil Childers
Photo: Basil Childers