Savannah's Family Restaurant to open on Monday

A new restaurant in town opened its doors for the first time on Monday.

SavannahSA国际影视传媒檚 Family Restaurant, in the old Cellar location on Franklin Avenue, serves East African and Middle Eastern cuisine.

A look inside Savannah's Family Restaurant, located in the old Cellar spot on Franklin Avenue. The walls are decorated with African art. Meaghan Richens/NNSL photo

The family restaurant is owned and operated by husband and wife team Savannah Perna and Mohamed Mohamed.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have goat, lamb, chicken dishes, curry dishes, fried local fish,SA国际影视传媒� said Perna, and all of the meat is halal -- meaning it's prepared according to Islamic dietary laws.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have a licensed fisherman whoSA国际影视传媒檚 bringing us daily fresh fish so that will be a big seller, I think.SA国际影视传媒�

There will also be a vegetarian menu, with dishes like vegetarian injera (flatbread), lentils and a veggie burger.

SA国际影视传媒淲e needed to make sure we had full vegetarian options because a lot of people in Yellowknife are vegetarian,SA国际影视传媒� said Perna. SA国际影视传媒淪o one of our big platters will be just vegetarian.SA国际影视传媒�

And there's a $5 kids' menu for those under age 12.

SA国际影视传媒淚t includes their drink and a sundae at the end,SA国际影视传媒� said Perna.

They will also serve homemade hot sauces, homemade chai, four different desserts made fresh weekly and a range of beverages in their espresso machine.

SA国际影视传媒淲e do have some pasta. We even have burgers and wings, salads, and weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to have a daily soup,SA国际影视传媒� said Perna.

This is not the coupleSA国际影视传媒檚 first time working in the industry.

SA国际影视传媒淚 did in Edmonton, a restaurant called Safari,SA国际影视传媒� said Mohamed.

Perna has also worked in another African restaurant before, but this is the first time theySA国际影视传媒檒l be opening their own establishment, said Perna.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 exciting,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

From left, Perna and Mohamed's children, Siham Makoran, Jameel Makoran, Amirah Moallin, Safia Moallin and Perna's sister Sapphire Ingham in Savannah's Family Restaurant, which opened Monday. Meaghan Richens/NNSL photo

SA国际影视传媒淚 always wanted in my life to have my own business,SA国际影视传媒� Mohamed said. SA国际影视传媒淚 had partners before, and then I decided to run my own place with my family.SA国际影视传媒�

Mohamed used to be a taxi driver, but he wanted to do something else and ensure a good future for their four children.

SA国际影视传媒淲e want our kids to finish school here, so weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to be here for the long haul,SA国际影视传媒� said Perna.

PernaSA国际影视传媒檚 sister Sapphire will work at the restaurant, and the couple want their new business to be a family restaurant, in every sense of the word.

SA国际影视传媒淚 just want other moms to be happy to bring their kids,SA国际影视传媒� said Perna. SA国际影视传媒淎nd if they have a meltdown, we donSA国际影视传媒檛 care."

"I want everyone to feel like this is their home. You can come and eat and laugh and enjoy. I just want everyone to feel comfortable and happy and warm.SA国际影视传媒�

The new restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except Sunday.

2003savannah92 — Meaghan Richens/NNSL photo. A look inside Savannah's Family Restaurant, which located in the old Cellar spot on Franklin Avenue. The walls are decorated with African art.

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