The interior of Gold Dust Casino's new restaurant and lounge has no shortage of chic design finishes, but the vibe is distinctly Vintage.
Vintage opened its doors earlier this month, the first phase of a multi-million-dollar expansion to the Campbell Business Park gaming and entertainment facility. Several years in the making, general manager Rob LeLacheur is proud of the new 175-seat restaurant and lounge Vintage, a name that reflects a new brand Gold Dust is gradually rolling out.
"Vintage was part of that brand, something we felt was more recognizing the community we're in and the demographic we're after," he said.
The establishment, taking up residence in part of the former Platinum Centre banquet room, features a multipurpose lounge and sports bar. During sporting events a massive 16-foot by nine-foot high-definition projection screen TV gives viewers an up-close view of the action, along with a handful of other large flat-screen models.
Raising the projection screen reveals a stage — the entertainment centre of a relaxed lounge with an urban flare. On Fridays the stage is home to Duelling Pianos, giving the space a piano bar atmosphere that's classy, cosy and provides a "cool fusion" of great food and music, LeLacheur says. On most Saturdays the house band Vintage Vibe will entertain with a collection of old and new songs.
"It's a real fun night out," he says.
About half the seating area at Vintage is dedicated to the dining lounge, which features a new menu that's a departure from Gold Dust's former MVP Sports Grill. The menu, created by executive chef Michel Rey, helps fill a void in the St. Albert restaurant scene with quality food at reasonable prices, LeLacheur says.
Tucked away is a 14-seat private dining room with cosy fireplace and flatscreen. Groups that book the area can order off the regular or a special menu, he says.
"We've had a tremendous amount of interest already in that room."
Banquet, gaming expansion
Vintage represents the first third of a renovation project that has surpassed the $5-million mark, LeLacheur says. On Nov. 1, Gold Dust is set to open a banquet facility in the remaining portion of the Platinum Centre.
The new, smaller banquet space — still under the Vintage umbrella — can accommodate up to 150 patrons, depending on the type of event. When not used for banquets, the space will be used for entertainment like comedy nights.
Work is still in progress in the former MVP area, where a 24-hour poker room is being added, along with gaming tables and a sandwich bar.
With the northwest leg of Anthony Henday Drive set to open in fall 2011, Gold Dust is about to take advantage of its distinction of being the only casino along the ring road, LeLacheur said. Other expansion ideas like a hotel have been rumoured for years, and that could be a possibility on the table if the right partnership came along, he said.
"It would definitely be something to consider."
Mayor Nolan Crouse had a chance to tour the new facility when it opened. He welcomes the new banquet facility, which along with the St. Albert Inn and soon to be completed curling club expansion and Enjoy Centre gives St. Albert residents and the business community more options to hold events locally.
"It's probably going to end up being a popular place to be," he said.
