Inuvik's culinary scene is about to get spicy.
photo courtesy of Chris Sharpe
Inuvik's first Jamaican-Pakistani-Indian fusion restaurant, JamPaks, will have its grand opening at the Cafe on Mackenzie Saturday, April 14.
Chris Sharpe, JamPaks spokesperson, said the restaurant will aim to fill a gap in Inuvik's culinary scene. Aru Vashisht is running the restaurant in partnership with JamPaks.
"We're trying to fill the gap. These are some of the foods that are missing, and we want to bring a little more flavour into the community," Sharpe said. "We're bringing to Inuvik Caribbean food, Jamaican food, Indian food, and Pakistani foods, and fusion combinations of all of our foods."
The restaurant will be open every Saturday for lunch from 12 to 3 p.m., and for dinner from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Cafe on Mackenzie, next to Moe's Convenience Store.
Sharpe said there will also be a seating area where customers can enjoy their food.
"We want to make sure the environment is nice too, with good Jamaican music and top-40 and Indian music and a lounge area," Sharpe said. "We want to provide a place where people can get some really good West Indian and soul food."
Sharpe said the menu is very diverse.
Menu items range from $2 to $25 and include snacks and full meals. Butter chicken poutine, lamb kebabs, samosas and Jamaican patties will all be served up at the new weekly cafe.
"It's something that's not here. We're adding to the pot so there's more of a variety of foods," Sharpe said. "I'm personally excited about the fact that people are going to get to taste some spice and listen to some great music. People are going to have a great time."
Sharpe said JamPaks will be the first Jamaican and Pakistani fusion restaurant in Canada.
"We're all excited to start and share in great food and culture," Sharpe said.