Wildcat set to open its doors
Operator to put more meat on the menu
Simon Whitehouse
Northern News Services
Published Friday, May 23, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Wildcat Cafe is set to open for another season as chef Luke Wood enters his second year running the historic eatery for the city.
Chef Luke Wood enters his second season at the helm of the Wildcat Cafe in Old Town. He said some changes will be made after a successful first year and the restaurant should be up and running by Monday. - NNSL file photo |
Wood said he hopes to be ready by Monday, earlier than last year's June 23 start. Last summer, the cafe stayed open until the first week of September. The seasonal restaurant has opened for business as early as Mother's Day weekend in the past, but that was before the city closed the Wildcat for renovations in 2010.
"We want to make sure the little things are taken care of, but we will be ready for Monday for sure," said Wood, adding the city has ensured water and hydro are functioning properly.
The historical locale will have between 20 and 25 staff members for the pique of the summer season, Wood said.
The Wildcat Cafe is the oldest operating restaurant in Yellowknife. Willie Wylie and Smokey Stout opened the restaurant in 1937 by on the same location where the renovated log building still stands today.
The cafe closed in 1951, but a group of residents saved it from demolition in the late 1970s.
After last year, Wood said he received a lot of feedback from patrons as well as friends who gave him positive comments and noted areas for improvement. In response, he's trying to include more meat products, including reindeer, bison and Northern fish.
Overall, Wood said the shortened summer season was a success and he did make a profit, largely due to the weather.
"We only ran for two months and we hit the weather pretty good," he said. "It is the kind of thing that, if it is not a hot summer, it is not great. The deck is the be-all and end-all with this."
Live musical acts appeared at the cafe last year and Wood said he is continuing to work on dates for more. Patrons can expect a return of Jim Taylor and James Boraski, who both put on shows last year, he said.
