The Grant Grove Restaurant in Kings Canyon National Park recently reopened after a 10-month, $6.3 million renovation. Photo via visitsequoia.com

The Grant Grove Restaurant in Kings Canyon National Park has opened after being rebuilt as a larger, more ecofriendly location.

Delaware North Co. completed the 10-month, $6.3 million redesign and reconstruction of the Grant Grove Restaurant, opening on June 30. Originally built in the 1970s with a seating capacity of 74 people, the new 8,000-square-foot restaurant will accommodate about 225 diners at once in indoor and outdoor seating areas.

The rebuild includes improvements to help it reach Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. These include include indoor space with high ceilings and large exposed beams, along with the use of sustainable materials and construction techniques.

“We are very pleased to offer visitors a quality dining experience in a beautiful national park setting,” said Woody Smeck, superintendent of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. “Delaware North has worked hard to deliver a rustic architectural design that harmonizes with the mountain surroundings an is planned to achieve a LEED Gold rating for environmental protection.”

Grant Grove also features a new menu, designed by Executive Chef Bollenbacher, which is centered on locally sourced, sustainable and organic ingredients.