FIREPLACE BURNING BRIGHTLY IN KNOWLTON

2010-12-15, from Auberge Knowlton

KNOWLTON – The famed, and much missed, fireplace in Auberge Knowlton's restaurant Le Relais is back and is warming the hearts and tootsies of the many customers that call Le Relais "their" restaurant.

A much-loved focal point of the restaurant for some 150 years, owners Michel Gabereau and Signy Stephenson were forced to seal in the fireplace for reasons of security when they bought the historic building. Today with new technology, the logs can once again burn brightly, adding to the already warm and welcoming ambiance of the restaurant.

The room and bar area have also been totally re-painted in warm colours that offer a comforting yet sophisticated atmosphere.

In addition to the fireplace, the resto has added a lounge where customers can wait for their tables in the comfort of a leather sofa and coordinating easy chairs. An ideal spot to meet friends for a drink before dinner, the lounge is fast becoming a hot spot in the village.

While the fireplace and the refurbishing of the restaurant required a significant investment, Gabereau and Stephenson believe in putting back into the community. "Our customers are loyal and have made our business what it is today," says Michel Gabereau. "Without them, we would be nothing and they deserve the very best we can offer, in terms of the dining experience as well as the food.

"As owners of a historic building, we feel we have a duty to the future as well as the past," says Stephenson. "We always try to make our improvements work for our customers while retaining a look that reflects the historic aspect of the building and the village. The refurbishing of the restaurant and the new fireplace is all part of that commitment."