Yellowknife (Dec 20/06) - After having worked at one of Vancouver's top award-winning restaurants, The Lift, chef Sam Bailey is back in Yellowknife to work at Luke Wood's soon-to-be-opened tapas and wine lounge.

"He's my best friend, I promised I'd come up here to do what I could to help him," said Bailey, who has been away for 18 years.

Sam Bailey, left, and Luke Wood have been best friends since they went to school together at Sir John Franklin high school. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo

The two have been best friends since they grew up here together and attended Sir John Franklin high school.

Wood, owner of Kingpin bowling centre, said he has invested $1 million in renovating the bowling lanes and setting up the restaurant.

The two-year project will be finished as soon as renovations on the kitchen are complete.

With a sommelier coming up to select the wine list, and Bailey in town to develop the menu, Wood said the restaurant will be one of the nicest in town.

"I think people are getting tired of the same thing," said Wood.

"This will be a nice place to come have a glass of wine, tapas, sit by the fire place, and listen to good music."

The new restaurant is located where the old Polar Bowl's lounge used to be. Wood said the new lounge will have a very different atmosphere, with a fireplace and a wall of fine wines.

It will be called Thornton's, after Wood's grandfather's name and his own middle name. Although the date of the opening has not been set yet, the two are hoping it could be as early as next February.