Lounge reopens, with a twist
New menu being served, live music coming
Walter Strong
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, May 14, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife's Twist is open again, after being closed for fewer than three months to complete renovations after the main floor flooded.
With the re-opening comes a new menu and live entertainment still to be announced.
Sato Chankasingh has had mixed luck recently with the business. He's owned the place since 1995, and ran a successful business as a hands-on owner.
About three years ago, Sato decided to lease out the restaurant.
That venture wasn't successful for the lease holders, and Chankasingh had to take over the business again in 2011.
"I took the business back and put people in place to run it," he said.
"But it didn't do so well, so I moved back here from Edmonton about three weeks ago.
"I'm here to get it going again."
Twist's new menu will be a change from what diners used to experience at the restaurant.
"We're not just a burger place anymore," he said.
Twist's menu includes features butter chicken with a basmati rice side, beet and goat cheese salad, and steak tenderloin with a carmelized red-wine reduction.
Chankasingh will also be taking customer suggestions for menu additions to develop the menu over time.
Live entertainment is in the works, although the first performer is yet to be announced.
Chankasingh said he hopes to open Fuego, downstairs from Twist, this September.
Starting June 8, Twist will be open Sundays for ten consecutive weeks, taking advantage of the NWT's limited options for Sunday business under liquor licence regulations.
Chankasingh will be working behind the scenes in the kitchen. He's hired eight staff members for front-of-house and kitchen staff.
"We'll be opening the patio at the end of the month," he added.
