The unmistakable aroma of injera and rice filled ZehabeshaSA国际影视传媒檚 dining room Monday afternoon.
For the first time in months, the traditional Ethopian restaurant opened the space to dining customers craving slow-cooked beef stew, kik alicha or curried chicken.
Co-owner Dinku Tadesse couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be happier SA国际影视传媒� or more appreciative.
Tadesse, who runs the downtown spot with his wife Eline Baye, said Yellowknifers were extra supportive during the closure. The award winning-husband and wife duo offered takeout and delivery amid health restrictions brought on by Covid-19 SA国际影视传媒� and theySA国际影视传媒檙e continuing to provide the service. Customers have routinely given generous tips amid hard economic times.
SA国际影视传媒淲e are saying, SA国际影视传媒榯hank you and thank you againSA国际影视传媒� to the community,SA国际影视传媒� Tadesse said.
Like many other small businesses impacted by the pandemic, Tadesse said ZehabeshaSA国际影视传媒檚 bottom line took a hit.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was a difficult, difficult time,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
With tourism ground to a halt, Tadesse knows the road ahead wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be easy. But heSA国际影视传媒檚 remaining optimistic SA国际影视传媒� confident in the quality of his food and the communitySA国际影视传媒檚 love for it.
SA国际影视传媒淗opefully we have a bright, bright future. I wish for that. We're going to serve the community. That's it," said Tadesse.
With phase two of the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 recovery plan now underway, Zehabesha is one of several city businesses to open its doors to in-restaurant dining in recent days. Other business owners are preparing to do the same.
Brendan Burke/NNSL photo
The second stage of the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 Emerging Wisely Plan went ahead on Friday, allowing establishments to serve customers SA国际影视传媒� at a limited capacity of 25 people SA国际影视传媒� indoors and on patios.
The Black Knight Pub and SamSA国际影视传媒檚 Monkey Tree opened their patios and dining areas on Friday evening. Bullock's Bistro, a Yellowknife favourite and a staple in Old Town, got up and running again on Saturday.
Not all restaurants are moving ahead with dine-in options just yet, though.
Ed Butt, owner of CoyoteSA国际影视传媒檚 Bistro and Lounge, is holding off until July 1 amid concerns about a second COVID-19 wave.
SA国际影视传媒淚 just want to make sure itSA国际影视传媒檚 safe for my staff and my family,SA国际影视传媒� said Butt.
As for fast food restaurants SA国际影视传媒� McDonaldSA国际影视传媒檚, Subway, A&W and Mary BrownSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒� are still only offering takeout for the time being.
HereSA国际影视传媒檚 a breakdown of some of the restaurants, pubs and coffee shops that now offer dine-in and patio choices:
Restaurants/bars
Boston Pizza
Location: 5102 48 St.
WhatSA国际影视传媒檚 open? Dining area and bar; plans to open the patio next week
Hours: 11 to 10 p.m.
Red Apple Restaurant
Location: 4701 Franklin Ave
WhatSA国际影视传媒檚 open? Dining area is open
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
SamSA国际影视传媒檚 Monkey Tree
Location: 483 Range Lake Road
WhatSA国际影视传媒檚 open? Patio and dining area
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (patio subject to closures depending on the weather)
Black Knight Pub
Location: 4910 49 St.
WhatSA国际影视传媒檚 open? Patio and dining area
TraderSA国际影视传媒檚 Grill (Explorer Hotel)
Location: 4825 49th Ave
WhatSA国际影视传媒檚 open? Hotel restaurant
Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Bullock's Bistro
Location: 3534 Weaver Dr.
WhatSA国际影视传媒檚 open? Dining area
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sushi North
Location: 4910 Franklin Ave
WhatSA国际影视传媒檚 open? Dining room
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Copperhouse Eatery and Lounge, at 484 Range Lake Road, opens its doors for dine-in on Tuesday. The lounge is limited to patrons ages 19 and up, while the patio will be open for all ages. The Range Lake Road restaurant won't be taking reservations.
"Walk ins are welcome. Once you're inside, please wait for a server to seat you and walk you through our new phase two procedures," states a Copperhouse online post.
Coffee shops
Javaroma
Location: 5201 Franklin Avenue
WhatSA国际影视传媒檚 open? Indoor seating area
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
