Jennifer Obleman
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 17, 2007

IQALUIT - Iqaluit residents are jumping in with both feet to the Waters' Edge, if the restaurant's grand opening festivities last week are any indication.

Kim Waters, left, and Donna Waters, are the owners of Waters' Edge Seafood and Steakhouse in the recently opened Nova Inn in Iqaluit. - Stephanie McDonald/NNSL photo

The Waters' Edge Seafood and Steakhouse, located in the Nova Inn, opened its doors and offered samples of food to the public during an open house Tuesday afternoon. Some special guests also attended a party that evening, and the dining room's first official day of business on Wednesday.

Owners Kim Waters and Donna Waters were thrilled with the city's response.

"It was absolutely wonderful. It could not have gone better," said Donna. "We were packed, and everyone was tickled to death with the food."

The Waters' Edge menu features dishes like snow crab, oysters on the half shell, and Alberta beef, as well as bison steaks, caribou burgers and Arctic char.

"When we say 'seafood and steakhouse,' we don't mean one like down south. When we say it, we mean a seafood and steakhouse that utilizes all the country food we can get our hands on up here," said Donna.

The menu is aimed to please both the local population and visitors to the community, said Kim.

"We really needed a good seafood and steakhouse in town," she said. "In the community we really need good service ... and also healthy food. We have a real passion for food."

The Waters sisters have been in the restaurant business for more than seven years. Before that, Kim was the finance controller for the city. Donna worked for the wildlife department for 10 years, then as an instructor at Arctic College.

In 2000, the pair opened Wizard's Café and Catering. After obtaining a liquor license in 2002, they changed the business name to Wizard's Bistro and became a full service restaurant. Kim and Donna closed the Wizard's Bistro in June so they could pursue a new - and bigger - opportunity in the Nova Inn's new location.

The Waters' Edge boasts a staff of close to 20 people, up from three at the Wizard's Bistro, and seating capacity of 100 in the dining room, 60 in the lounge, and 20 in the private dining room, compared to 45 in the old restaurant.

Liquor license applications for the dining room and lounge were approved by the Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board in August. The guest room application was denied, but Donna said she and Kim were happy with that decision

"We only applied for it because we thought all the other hotels were doing it," said Donna. The Waters do plan to carry on with some of their old traditions in their new location, like having live music every Friday, holding International Saturdays periodically and scheduling murder mystery dinners.

They will also do theme nights, such as an East Coast evening with maritime performers and jigging.