CHANDELIERS: Where art meets food
Take a great downtown location. Add in some dazzling décor. Sprinkle that with a generous amount of experience working in some of Saskatoon’s finest restaurants.
That’s the recipe that led to the creation of Saskatoon’s newest offering in first class dining – Chandeliers.
“The chef, Behroz [Bruce] Rahmani and I worked together for about 13 years. We were at John’s and more recently at John’s Victorian in the north end,” says manager and part owner Nick Makohon. “After John’s Victorian closed, Bruce wanted to do something similar. He looked around town and found this location.”
The location Makohon refers to is a storied one in the Drinkle No. 3 building on Third Avenue. Its 10,000-plus square feet of space were ideal for the concept of extraordinary dining that the partners had in mind.
“We spent three months renovating,” Makohon reports. “It was mostly cosmetic – new tables, new carpet and new paint.”
The change most commented on, he adds, is the fine art on the wall. Gold-adorned 3D sculptures greet patrons, creating an ambience of culture and elegance. By the Romanian artist Golbby, the pieces literally pop out of the walls, creating a fine texture that adds to the atmosphere.
Though the restaurant seats 160, the layout is ideal for any size group. Nooks and crannies in the main dining area, as well as separated spaces, mean parties can enjoy both the ambience and privacy while savouring the menu at Chandeliers.
Savouring is where Chandeliers excels, Makohon says. “We’re a steak restaurant – about 75 per cent of what we serve are steaks. But we offer a full menu for dinner. People can find a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, pastas and seafood. We also offer ribs, lamb and chicken.”
He notes that Chandeliers’ Dinner for Two is really popular, especially for romantic and special occasions. “You can share an appetizer, followed by salad and then steak, lobster and crab. It’s a great value for everything you get.”
The lunch menu sees an array of sandwiches, soups and salads.
“We offer the full dining experience,” Makohon says. “You can enjoy the great quality food but we have tablecloths, napkins and all in this fabulous location. Not everybody offers that.”
This is all complemented by a world-class wine and spirits menu, and even occasional live music. After just 16 months in business, Makohon says it’s clear why people love Chandeliers. “I ask customers and they tell me it’s the ambience. They say the architecture is unique. ‘It’s the place,’ they say.
“Some people have called us old school but that’s not a bad label to have,” he continues. “We do things traditionally here. We offer generous portions so people don’t go away hungry and bread is included with every meal. The bread sounds basic but I’ve been to some places where it’s not even offered.”
Located in the Drinkle No. 3 building at 119 Third Avenue South, Chandeliers is open Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to close. It’s also open from 4:00 p.m. to closing on Saturdays but closed on Sundays. For more information and a preview of the menu, visit chandeliers.club on the Internet or call 306-2440024.
Do you want to enjoy this fine dining experience while viewing the latest styles Saskatoon’s top clothing retailers have to offer? Be part of the Spring Fashion Road Show at Chandeliers from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11.
The restaurant will offer a specialized menu – you can enjoy a fine selection of food while models style the latest in spring fashions from Lawson Heights Mall, Gentries, Klassique, Elwood Flynn, Merle Norman Studio, Katies’ Closet and Kathleen O’Grady for grady bleu. This is an extremely popular event, so be sure to reserve your space by calling 306-244-0024.