Fairmont Royal York reveals new signature dining venues set to debut June 2019
CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails and REIGN Restaurant + Bar + Bakery to redefine lobby and culinary offerings at Toronto’s landmark hotel
TORONTO, Canada – May 15, 2019 – Fairmont Royal York, Toronto’s most distinguished address, today announced the debut of two new food & beverage venues -- CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails; REIGN Restaurant + Bar + Bakery. The highly anticipated grand transformation of the hotel will be revealed on June 11th to mark the hotel’s 90th anniversary.
“Fairmont Royal York has always been home to notable culinary and cocktail offerings throughout our long history. We are excited to introduce two new food & beverage venues which usher in a new era of dining at our hotel, while remaining true to our esteemed past,” said Edwin Frizzell, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Fairmont Royal York. “REIGN pays tribute to our royal roots in its namesake and design, and is set to elevate our dining experience through a Canadian-inspired brasserie with a modern take on French traditional cuisine; CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails will be the heartbeat of our famed property with the lobby lounge introducing a symbolic new centerpiece unlike anything else in the city.”
A STYLISH NEW LOUNGE FOR CHAMPAGNE AND COCKTAILS
With a modern and intimate atmosphere, CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails is the city’s next classic lounge for an elegant champagne and cocktail experience, serving everything from bubbles and a wide array of international wines, to specially crafted cocktails and must-have culinary delights.
CLOCKWORK first greets guests with a statement timepiece in the transformed lobby -- a specialty clock tower inspired by the hotel’s anniversary. The new centerpiece was created by the same manufacturer as the hotel’s iconic spiral staircase version of the clock initially installed in 2002 by US-based, Electric Time Company. The “90th Anniversary Clock” will stand as a testament to those who have worked vigorously in the past to welcome visitors and Torontonians alike to the celebrated hotel. The two-sided clock tower represents the hotel’s timelessness, with one side showcasing a stunning constellation clock, and the other a classic motif for the next generation of guests to continue the legacy of the phrase synonymous with the property, “meet me at the clock.”
At the helm of the new lobby lounge, the hotel has brought on esteemed mixologist, Rus Yessenov, to oversee a fresh vision for cocktails and aperitifs. Tasked with creating an entirely new spirits and cocktail menu to reflect the character of the venue, Yessenov will take classic cocktail recipes and infuse them with modern flavours. With charm and allure glittering the space, the lounge aims to be a lively, metropolitan social scene.
“It is a privilege to craft the first-ever customized cocktail menu for such a notable Toronto hotel,” said Rus Yessenov, Director of Mixology, Fairmont Royal York. “As each decade sees a new era of taste and flavour, it was no small task to infuse 90 years of industry trends and modern classics into a tailored story for the prestigious property. I am confident Toronto cocktail lovers will appreciate and enjoy our exclusive array of the world’s finest champagne and cocktail creations.”
CONTEMPORARY RAILWAY-INSPIRED DESIGN
CLOCKWORK brings vintage glamour and charm to the modern space setting a bold and stylish tone, while the design of the vibrant new lounge takes inspiration from the hotel’s past. It pays homage to the golden age of railway exploration and was driven by the train and railroads that first brought the city’s busy travelers to the hotel. New York-based architecture firm, Rockwell Group, brought the design to life, carefully weaving the concept of time and movement to the space with a constellation clock that rotates within a night sky-inspired glass panel, and extravagant Pullman car style banquettes.
A spacious layout with an exclusive setting, the lounge caters to more intimate groups. With a deep sunset colour palette and locally supplied statement furniture, the lounge sets the tone of sophistication.
“Fairmont Royal York’s public spaces, meeting and event rooms, and restaurant have been reimagined to tell the story of Toronto’s past through to its present, embracing the building’s patina and creating an elegant, warm, and inviting escape that feels timeless,” said Greg Keffer, Partner, Rockwell Group. “Given the hotel’s connection to the railway and proximity to Toronto’s Union Station, we took material, form, and detail cues from the aesthetics of train cars and railroads.”
THREE UNIQUE CULINARY EXPERIENCES
Steps away from the grand lobby space is the hotel’s new signature dining venue, REIGN. Home to a restaurant, bar and bakery, REIGN delivers three unique culinary experiences, blending together daily must-haves and classic culinary techniques with modern food trends.
“We are thrilled to bring our guests a fresh, truly Canadian farm-to-table dining experience with the help of our many producers. Local ingredients and sustainability is our main focus in furthering the hotel’s promise to source locally and we couldn’t do it without our farmers,” said jW Foster, Executive Chef, Fairmont Royal York. “Serving everything from lobster and steak to Royal Sticky Toffee Pudding and Newfoundland cod, we’ve drawn inspiration from Canada’s roots, coast to coast.”
Inspired by an overarching residential-style concept, standout design elements include a custom mural depicting traditional English garden scenery with a twist on classical painting styles; a cozy fireplace; an intimate bar with a grand piano; and rich Canadian Walnut incorporated throughout the space. With a nod to a classic noble manor house, REIGN also boasts a curated art collection with authentic collectable items and two private dining rooms.
In addition to the new dining experiences and lobby transformation, the hotel will continue to delight guests and visitors at Piper’s Pub, Benihana Japanese Steakhouse and Lounge, and Library Bar, which is home to Fairmont Royal York’s acclaimed Afternoon Tea experience. The hotel recently launched an entirely new Fairmont Gold offering and will soon reveal updates to its world-renowned meeting and event spaces in the property’s most extensive restoration project to date. For more information about Fairmont Royal York’s transformation, please visit thefairmontroyalyork.com and for its complete dining experiences visit, thefairmontroyalyork.com/taste. Follow REIGN and CLOCKWORK on Instagram @REIGNToronto and @CLOCKWORKToronto and Facebook @CLOCKWORKRYH and @REIGNRYH
CLOCKWORK and REIGN: Two new dining experiences to open June 11 @FairmontRYH Tweet
ABOUT FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK
For nearly 90 years, Fairmont Royal York has stood proudly as a Toronto landmark, presiding over the block opposite Union Station – a love letter in stone to the heart of the city. It began its life as The Royal York, the tallest building in the British Commonwealth, soaring nearly 400 ft. and 28 storeys above the street level. A dominant feature on the skyline, the building contained 1,048 rooms, and included a concert hall, library, extensive bakery, radio station, ballrooms, restaurants, even a hospital. Little wonder it was called a city within a city – as it still is today. Today, this essential downtown landmark is in the midst of a grand/notable/magnificent transformation, reimagining its lobby experience, rooms, dining venues, event spaces, and Fairmont Gold – the property’s exclusive boutique luxury experience. Another stunning chapter for Toronto’s eternal, essential landmark is about to begin. See our future here.
ABOUT FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where occasions are celebrated and history is made. Landmark hotels with unrivalled presence, authentic experiences and unforgettable moments have attracted visitors to Fairmont and its destinations since 1907. The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai are but a few of these iconic luxury hotels, forever linked to the special places where they reside. Famous for its engaging service, grand public spaces, locally inspired cuisine and celebrated bars and lounges, Fairmont promises a special brand of thoughtful luxury that will be remembered long after any visit. With a worldwide portfolio of more than 75 hotels, Fairmont also takes great pride in its deep community roots and leadership in sustainability. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique and meaningful experiences in 4,800 hotels, resorts, and residences across 100 countries. fairmont.com | group.accor.com
ABOUT ROCKWELL GROUP
Based in New York with a satellite office in Madrid, Rockwell Group is an interdisciplinary architecture and design firm that emphasizes innovation and thought leadership in every project. Founded by David Rockwell, FAIA, and led by David and partners Shawn Sullivan and Greg Keffer, the 250-person firm merges theater, performance and architecture to create extraordinary experiences and built environments across the globe. Projects include Union Square Cafe (New York); Nobu restaurants and hotels worldwide; Warner Music Group (Los Angeles); W Hotels (New York, Nashville, Paris, Madrid, Suzhou, Singapore and Vieques); The Shed (Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Lead Architect and Rockwell Group, Collaborating Architect); the restoration of the Hayes Theater for Second Stage (New York); NeueHouse (New York and Hollywood); TED Theater (Vancouver); and set designs for She Loves Me, Kinky Boots. and the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park. Honors and recognition include 2016 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Scenic Design for She Loves Me; the AIANY President’s Award; the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award; and the Presidential Design Award. For more information, please visit www.rockwellgroup.com.
Jacqueline Tyler
Marketing & Communications Manager
Fairmont Royal York
[email protected]
Phone: 416-802-5059
Ali Henwood
Media Relations
Chimera Collective
[email protected]
Phone: 226-821-5771
