After much brainstorming over the last while about how we can better serve local businesses, we are proud to present a new series of mini-interviews. In this time of hardship, we feel that it is super important to actually get to see the faces behind the businesses that we are urging you to support, hear what challenges they are facing, as well as how they are adapting. In the following weeks, we are going to be featuring businesses in Old Strathcona that are doing an awesome job of pivoting and coming up with innovative ways to keep their doors open while safely serving their community.
Narayanni’s Restaurant
Overview Of The Business
Edmonton’s South African-Indian fusion restaurant Narayanni’s has been well-loved for a decade, offering a full-service dining experience with a freshly prepared daily buffet. Narayanni’s prides itself on wholesome, clean eating, with locally sourced and/or organic ingredients whenever possible. Owners Selva (‘Mamma’) and Daya (‘Papa’) Naidoo learned to cook from their parents in South Africa. Their award-winning restaurant, run with the help of their Daughter Youmashni, is located in a historically listed heritage building, Arndt’s Machine Shop. Papa continues his passion for making desserts and frothy cappuccinos while Mamma continues her passion for cooking and service with her finely prepared home-cooked meals
Changes During COVID-19
Recent COVID-19 mandates have inspired “Mamma’s Food-to-Go,” featuring freshly home-cooked delicacies on a grab-n-go basis. The menu features a wide variety of options, including soup; salad; appetizers; meat entrees; an abundance of vegan & gluten-free entrees; and Papa’s famous desserts. The Menu is available online here: https://narayannis.com/food-to-g
How We Can Support Them
Their Food-To-Go is available two days each week, Wednesday and Friday, freshly cooked in their sanitized health-inspected professional kitchen. Cut off time is 11am on the day of pick-up. Pick-up is available from 4pm – 6pm. Food is packaged and waiting, and customers pay by card. Order through email (info@narayannis.com), Facebook messenger, or by phone (780-756-7112).
“I have missed seeing the smiling faces of customers on a day to basis, but it warms my heart knowing I can still share my cooking to brighten someone’s day.” -Mamma