Taste of the Orient at Otley's new restaurant (From Ilkley Gazette)

Taste of the Orient at Otley's new restaurant

12:00pm Saturday 6th October 2012 in News

VIPs turned out in force to help officially open Otley’s first Chinese restaurant in 25 years.

More than 60 representatives from local businesses, Otley Town Council and Otley Pub Club attended the preview evening for The Dynasty at the Black Horse Hotel last Thursday.

MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) and town mayor, Councillor Mary Vickers (Lib Dem, Prince Henry), addressing the gathering, praised the licensees for helping fill a long-standing gap in Otley’s culinary market.

Jo Karpowicz and Steve Harvey have invested several thousand pounds in the venture, which has transformed what was the hotel’s bistro into an ornately-decorated restaurant, run by a Chinese chef and waiting staff.

Otley Pub Club chairman Peter Jackson said: “I have seen Jo and Steve work so hard to bring this restaurant to Otley.

“Since arriving here last December they have thrown themselves into being part of the community by supporting local events and charities. The investment in the restaurant shows they intend to be part of Otley for some time.”

Guests at the VIP evening were treated to a buffet of Chinese food, while being entertained by solo artist Marc Mischief and Otley-based rock ‘n’ roll band Memphis.

The Dynasty, which opened to the public last Friday, is open from 5pm to 10pm daily, while the Black Horse Hotel continues to serve its traditional British menu from noon to 3pm.