Royal Pig Pub is but a snout-hair's length away from opening to the public, according to owner Joe Upchurch, though, those were not the exact words he used to describe the unveiling of his forthcoming restaurant on Las Olas. The restaurant will open to the public for lunch service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31. This is the point where Clean Plate Charlie notes that opening dates are subject to change -- and frequently do -- in the restaurant world, but Upchurch is confident that the "game plan" will go ahead as scheduled.
The restaurant's managing crew and chef Stanton Bundy (a Johnson & Wales alum who previously worked at Canyon Ranch in Miami) finalized the menu on Tuesday and Upchurch said the final product closely adheres to the restaurant's original concept. As the meaty moniker suggests, animal proteins are on generous display, with a hamburger that Upchurch predicts will be one of the stars of the menu, in addition to chicken wings and ribs cooked in the on-site rotisserie.
A free-range turkey club and a tuna salad on a tomato-basil roll, plus a few salads (like a warm spinach and a kale salad), share space with heartier dishes like a seafood stew and eight-ounce prime filet. Upchurch said the restaurant also will be making its own desserts, including a warm carrot cake.
Royal Pig Pub management has been hitting Facebook hard to drum up pre-opening interest in the venture, posting frequent photos and updates on the restaurant's progress. The effort to secure a solid fan-base from the get-go is augmented with a plan for two charity preview nights on Wednesday, July 18, and Thursday, July 19. For a $10 entry fee, attendees will get one or two drink tickets and the chance to munch on passed light appetizers. The events are 6 to 8 p.m. and proceeds benefit local non-profits. The general public is welcome to attend, Upchurch said.
The next few weeks will be dedicated to staff training and orientation, with the week of July 23 to 27 focused on mock service to prepare for the opening date. An opening party on Monday, July 30, will give restaurant friends, family, and early supporters a chance to check out the new digs before the joint officially opens for business.
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