Royal/T

Specialties

Royal/​T Café is inspired by the Maid Cafes of Tokyo’s Akihabara district. Patrons can expect a menu that, like the art and design of Royal/​T, is authentic to a contemporary Japanese experience. The menu presents a fusion of French and Japanese texture with local and organic California style. Alongside «comfort» food and beverage classics like Curry Rice and Matcha Milk Tea, are modern creations like Ponzu Salmon and Kyoto Sunset Tea. Royal/​T also offers specialty desserts and afternoon High Tea. The menu is served all day.

History

Established in 2008.

Royal/​T is a playful blending of café, concept shop and art exhibition space. The space reflects the interior realm of fantasy that strongly influences the artists included in owner Susan Hancock’s collection. Royal/​T Café is inspired by the meido kissa (maid café) phenomena of Akihabara – Tokyo’s electronic district. Recontextualizing the underground culture of Japan that celebrates cosplay (costume play) waitresses dress in maid uniforms, with a Lolita-​esque touch and the café serves a fusion of French and Japanese cuisine with local and organic California style. The art space showcases curated exhibitions with a focus on Japanese contemporary art; and an inventive concept store emulates the collections’ sophistication – a fusion of pop culture and high-​end design. The location closed in July 2012 and is engaged in pop-​ups around the country of similar cafés and art galleries.

Meet the Business Owner

Susan H.

Business Owner

A philanthropist and an avid collector, Hancock has served on both the Chairman’s Council and Painting and Sculpture Committee of the Whitney Museum of American Art. She currently serves on the Producer’s Council of the New Museum, the Board of the International Collector’s Committee in New York, and the Board of Trustees at the Independent Curators International. Hancock is also a member of the patron group at MOCA, North Miami Beach, and the Internationals Director’s Council for Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. She has lent support and sponsorship to several exhibitions including Little Boy: The Arts of Japan’s Exploding Subculture, organized by the Japan Society in collaboration with the Public Art Fund. Susan Hancock’s collection of contemporary Japanese art includes works by Chiho Aoshima, Chinatsu Ban, Yayoi Deki, Mitsuhiro Ikeda, Izumi Kato, Hideaki Kawashima, Mahomi Kunikata, Yayoi Kusama, Mr., Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo Nara, Mitsuhiro Okamoto, Aya Takano, and Yuken Teruya etc.