THE Yacht Grill and Lounge is a relatively new restaurant that promises to enthrall locals with its North American atmosphere and that ‘homey ambience’ it elicits. Situated where the once popular Friday’s Restaurant was housed, at Lot 40 Sheriff Street, just off Campbell Avenue in suburban Campbellville,  The Yacht was opened the week of Christmas.

There is no restaurant to match the concept of The Yacht, according to proprietress Cheryl Sawh in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

She proudly disclosed that her business partner is her reputed husband, who had lived in the USA for 20 years, during which he would often travel to Guyana to see family members and friends. He has now decided to remigrate to Guyana, hence the reason for existence of The Yacht.

He wanted the restaurant to be somewhere that families can go for dinners, or even to simply sit and chat. “He wanted it to be somewhere that people can relax after a hard day’s work, with a good drink and without having to listen to loud music and these kinds of distractions. He wanted it to be a friendly, relaxing atmosphere.”

An extensive drink menu applies, and specialty dishes can be made upon request. Both local and foreign dishes are available.

“We wanted to open up a business that we can enjoy doing, and at the same time provide a service to the community”, she said.
Commenting on the name of the restaurant, Ms Sawh said the names of most places in Guyana were copied from businesses in the USA and Canada. “So we wanted something different, and something that people can remember. It’s a one-syllable word, and also the name conveys a feeling of luxury and refinement.”

At The Yacht, there is seating accommodation in the form of stools and tables outside of the restaurant, where patrons can enjoy the ‘bright’ Sheriff Street scenery. The building is fully air conditioned, and is a no-smoking zone. At The Yacht, there is a large bar that seats about 10 stools around it, and two huge couches at each corner of the room which can each seat approximately seven persons. Between them and the bar, there is dining space, where people can sit down and have a formal dinner or lunch.

The restaurant is well staffed with two full-time cooks, waitresses, and bartenders. “It gives you a little bit of everything, depending on what mood you are in”, she said. “If you want to sit down at the bar and watch a game, or a show, there are televisions all around.”

The Yacht also caters for private functions, such as a small party, in which case, a notice that informs the public of this would be placed outside.

Ms Sawh said the restaurant opens from noon, but has no specific closing time. “We wanted to cater for different sections of society. It’s one of those mid-range places. Not as expensive, but gives you the same kind of quality for much less money.

“We are really looking to establish a business that can help people to experience a foreign atmosphere, while at the same time it remains Guyanese in nature; so that, without leaving the country, they have an exposure to something that is different,” Ms Sawh said.