Cuisine royale

The safest bet at the new Graton Casino in Rhonert Park may be the food. The 254-acre, $800 million casino has 13 dining options, including nine over-the counter-spots in the Marketplace.

Options include DK Wings, gourmet fast food from Sonoma County chef Douglas Keane (pictured above). A Top Chef Masters winner on Bravo, Keane had a decorated eight-year run (“Esquire” Chef of the Year, “Gourmet Top 50 Restaurants,” etc.) at Cyprus in Healdsburg.

His wings come six to a $7.75 order with choice of glaze; Buffalo, of course, but also inventive Japanese and Vietnamese versions. Side picks include house made kimchee and a pickle bar.

Other than Starbucks, there are no national chains in the Marketplace, and meals are reasonably priced. The Malibu Sandwich — hot pastrami and swiss on toasted garlic cheese bread with avocado – is $8.25 at the Beach Hut Deli, while the Habit Burger Grill serves up its char burger and fries for $5.40. La Fondita Taqueria, Roadside Barbecue, Boathouse Asian Bistro and Slice House Pizza, another in a line of restaurants by pizza king Tony Gemignani, all have quality entrees from $7-$10.

Gemignani, the 11-time world pizza champion, has made a name for himself with his proprietary restaurant concepts including Pizza Napoletana, and Pizza Rock. In addition to the counter outlet, he runs one the casino’s four upscale restaurants which ring the circular gambling area. Tony’s of North Beach serves pasta and pizza, including his signature Margherita, a thin-crust pizza that cooks all of 90 seconds in a 900-degree oven.

The other dining options, each with its own sit-down bar, are Daily Grill, with American and pub-style fare; M.Y. China, the elegantly detailed, upscale Chinese restaurant from Martin Yan; and 630 Park Steakhouse, specializing in high-quality, aged prime beef.

View all the menus at Gratonresortcasino.com. The casino is located on Wilfred Avenue and Stony Point Road in Rohnert Park.