QYPE*

I've written a review about the Waverley, which is a proper bohemian bar in that the loo's are rank, etc, but Cafe Royal is a bar that lets you pretend to be a bohemian when you have enough dosh not to be. You'll be alerted to the Cafe Royal by a large sign that is reminiscent of the mise-en-scene of Moulin Rouge. The Cafe Royal is in a beautiful building, and the room is indeed circular. There are big, lush booths to sit in, if you get the opportunity, but the tables aren't 1/2 bad either. There are a variety of beers on draught- but this is, surprisingly, limited given the hugeness of the bar itself- its in the center of the circle. The spirits are where its at, here. Its very lovely in that Moulin Rouge sort of way. There is a menu serving oysters (17.99-18.49 per dozen of various modes of preparations) and mussels on offer, so the fare is swank, and lovely. And there is a proper champagne sparkling wine list that includes a 115.00 Dom Perignon, and a Rose Lindauer from New Zealand at 18.99. This is the place to escort upscale arty's, or to splurge out on the fare. If the lack of variety of beer gets to you after a while, the Guildford Arms is next door in the same building and they have tonnes of beers on tap- including many micro-brews. This may be a first stop of the evening, or a long afternoon sort of place.