Yellowknife (Apr 21/03) - Yellowknife's newest family restaurant, The Coyote Bar & Grill, is open for business on Range Lake Rd.

Coyote owner Edward But, wife Khuyen, daughter Theresa and son Vincent at the family's new Yellowknife restaurant

Owner Richard But purchased the former Dairy Queen in January and has been going non-stop since getting ready for opening day.

"We completely gutted the building and started over," he said.

The new-look operation is divided between a family-style steak and seafood restaurant on one side and licensed lounge on the other.

The lounge features wide-screen televisions, games, and a finger-style menu.

The restaurant has more than 60 items on the menu, including pasta, chicken, ribs, seafood, and steaks ranging up a 32 ounce Porterhouse.

The lunch menu includes burgers and sandwiches and a $10 buffet.

The philosophy in designing the room has been "good food, a diverse menu, reasonable prices and a friendly staff," said But.

The Coyote opens at 6:00 p.m. today by reservation only (873-8818) for a VIP-style evening, he said.