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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Downtown dining is about to change with the times. The pair of 50 Street restaurants owned by restaurateur Sato Chankasingh, Fuego and Twist Burger Bar, are reaching out to an untapped market.

Colin Snow, left, general manager of Twist and Fuego, stands with Twist server Katherine Villeneuve. - Lyndsay Herman/NNSL photo

Chankasingh, owner of restaurants at that location since 1995, starting with The Office Dinning Lounge, said menu changes and a new direction for Twist Burger Bar is intended to fill a gap in Yellowknife's restaurant scene between fine dining restaurants and cheap eats.

"(Twist Burger Bar) is a place where you can sit, relax and have a conversation with your friends," said Colin Snow, general manager for Fuego and Twist Burger Bar. "It's where you can come before the night has started and have a couple of pints before heading out."

Although Chankasingh is not creating the restaurant from scratch, the food served at the venue will be prepared that way.

"Everything is done in house," said Chankasingh. "The meat is ground here, buns are homemade from Chef Pierre. All of it is done in house. There isn't a burger place in the city where you can get a real, gourmet burger."

Having two restaurants under one business gives Chankasingh the opportunity to buy larger amounts of product, resulting in a greater discount from suppliers, and better prices for guests, than if the restaurants were run separately, he said.

Beyond that, Fuego and Twist are distinct in atmosphere, staffing and menu, said Snow.

"The two restaurants have a different vibe," he said. "Downstairs is more fine dining, where you'll get your steak, maybe wine. Twist has more of a lounge feel with a touch of class."

Chankasingh lived in Yellowknife for 19 years before moving to Edmonton in 2008. He owned and operated Fuego when it was known as The Office Dinning Lounge. He decided to retain ownership but lease operations in 2008 after stress took its toll on his health.

Chankasingh returns to Yellowknife to be on location at the restaurant approximately every three weeks for about two weeks per visit, he said.

Snow, who lives in Yellowknife and monitors the day-to-day operations of the restaurants, said they intend to keep the burger menu fresh by updating the menu after around six months, as well as with regular features.

Currently, the new burger menu finds inspiration in Thai, French, Italian, Indian and Northern flavours, among others.

He said Thursday night jam nights, local musicians, and local artist features will contribute to Twist's unique atmosphere.

Snow said he expects the Twist patio to be a major draw in the summer.

After the Black Knight's application to develop a patio area was rejected by the city last summer, Twist remains one of the only restaurant patios in Yellowknife's downtown.

Twist Burger Bar's sister restaurant, Fuego, is also set to have a new lunch and dinner menu within the month, Snow said.

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