Owners hope to hear ‘Let’s go to the Lobby’

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This article was published 09/05/2009 (6354 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The owners of the newest upscale restaurant to hit downtown Winnipeg hope the "Let’s all go to the lobby" jingle is on the lips of more than just movie-goers.

Dale and Barb Yuel christened their newest concept Friday night — The Lobby On York — a contemporary continental eatery featuring fresh fish, steak and racks of lamb in the lobby (where else?) of what used to be York The Hotel.

The 21-storey building ceased to be a hotel 17 months ago after it was purchased by B&M Land Co. The Winnipeg-based firm has since spent more than $14 million in renovations to convert it into a high-end apartment building.

The Yuels have been preparing for this weekend since they left Tavern In The Park a year ago following a decade of operating out of Assiniboine Park.

"There’s a buzz about revitalizing our downtown and we wanted to be a part of it," Dale Yuel said as tradespeople scurried about, furiously putting on the finishing touches mere hours before the first customers were expected.

The Yuels spent six figures overhauling the 8,000-square-foot space, which features a 140-seat dining room, a 70-seat lounge (including a built-in sushi bar) and two private rooms. Many of the walls are covered with textured glass and there is dark wood throughout.

Yuel said The Lobby on York is targeting the business community, neighbourhood residents as well as the growing number of people coming downtown for concerts and hockey games. He said he was attracted to having a relatively captive market of people living in the 181 condos on the floors above. (B&M hopes to get occupancy approval as early as next week.)

"I think it’s convenient if they want to come to the restaurant. It’s an added bonus but it’s not something we’ll rely on," he said.

Stefano Grande, executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), said the central business district is increasingly becoming a place to be, thanks in no small part to the MTS Centre.

He said he was downtown one evening last week after a hockey game and a number of other events had let out and the streets were teeming with people.

"You’re starting to see more of this activity, especially since spring hit. One day, we could see this occurring every single night downtown," he said.

Scott Jocelyn, executive director of the Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association, agreed. He said downtown is a possible destination for many people in search of a good meal in a way that it hasn’t been for many years.

"Seven or eight years ago, (going downtown) wasn’t an option. Lots of our members downtown are thrilled with the way things are going. They get lots of spin-offs out of events at the MTS Centre," he said.

The "Let’s all go to the lobby" tune first became famous in a 1957 pre-movie cartoon short featuring four talking concession-stand products, a not-so-subtle promotion for overpriced popcorn, soda and chocolate. It is still used today and has been parodied by The Simpsons, among others.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca