A new “regal” restaurant with a Sistine Chapel-style ceiling and original Game of Thrones props will open in Dundee this week.
On the menu at Dynasty will be exotic delicacies such as brain masala and camel meatballs, with male diners expected to wear jacket and tie as part of a smart dress code at what the owners claim is “one of (the) most lavish and beautiful dining rooms in the world”.
Entrepreneur Usman Malik, a fine art graduate from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, said he painted the ornate ceiling of his new venture himself.
As the refurbishment of the venue progressed, Mr Malik also found some original Game of Thrones features for sale while shopping for furniture in Northern Ireland.
The restaurant, at 162 Nethergate, was meant to open last year but due to listed building regulations the refurbishment took longer than expected.
Mr Malik said: “As an artist, I’ve always been interested in Renaissance art and knew that I wanted to create a business that featured that.
“I didn’t think this would be such a big project, but as the idea developed it kind of grew.
“We were meant to open in 2016 but because the building is B-listed, the planning permissions took longer than expected.
“We had to be very careful how we refurbished the place because of the listing, but thankfully everything went ahead as originally planned.”
Mr Malik explained that during the first few weeks after the restaurant’s official opening on Friday, tables will be available by reservation only.
As well as evening meals, the venue will offer high tea in its purpose-built tearoom, as well as drinks in the outdoor bar and weddings or other events in its function suite.
In keeping with the lavish interior, diners will have to adhere to a dress code with no jeans, trainers or other sports clothing allowed.
For the outdoor bar area, where the Game of Thrones props will be displayed, there will be no dress code.
Mr Malik, who also owns Oshibori Japanese restaurant, said: “I wanted to create something very exclusive in Dundee, something similar to the Ritz.
“For the first few weeks it will be reservation only, to make sure that our customers get the best possible experience.”
