Grand Opening of Downtown Restaurant At Former Hot Belly Mama's Location

Downtown Peterborough has a new upscale gastropub as The EL[P] held its grand opening on Wednesday.

El[P] owners Greg (left) and Amanda Da Silva (left) enjoying one of their several sandwiches on the menu. Amanda formerly ran a talent agency called Blake Talent Management in Toronto. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Owned by husband and wife Amanda and Greg Da Silva, the restaurant occupies the former Hot Belly Mama’s location at 378 George St. N.

The couple rented the property from Ashburnham Realty in late August then began renovations the following October last year.

The food is described as accessible yet elevated pub food according to the owners. Their slogan, “Food is Our Common Ground” is engraved on their front sign and placed on their back wall. The motto fosters a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for anyone who wants to kick back and relax after a long day.

"It's a positive space. Leave your cr*p at the door,” said Amanda. “In here in this space, let's enjoy some good conversation, good food, good drinks and have a good time."

@ptbo_canada Hitting the grand opening of @theelp2022! An upscale gastropub in the heart of downtown PTBO! #theelp #downtownptbo #ptbocanada #ptbo #food #drink ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

The couple’s passion for art, music and entertainment — as both owners previously worked in the hospitality and entertainment industry — was incorporated into the restaurant’s atmosphere. The restaurant is covered in colourful art, graffiti and murals from local artists.

Originally from Toronto, the two moved to Port Hope in 2016. The small town acts as an in-between spot for all the family and friends they have in Peterborough, Toronto, Cobourg and Port Hope.

They currently operate a sister restaurant called “The EL” in Cobourg that opened in 2016. They wanted to replicate the same success they had in Cobourg for their Peterborough gastropub.

"We didn't want to pass up an opportunity to become part of the downtown core and that community with that feeling and vibe," said Amanda. "We've really thrived in Cobourg and I think Peterborough is similar to that. Everybody supports everybody, there's no bad blood between different restaurants and that competition so that's what we wanted to do here."

Despite opening during a pandemic, the couple is optimistic about the restaurant’s success being located in Peterborough.

“In the past couple of months, we've hit the road running,” said Greg. “There's a shutdown and all that but I think we're opening at the perfect timing."

"We're risk-takers and we didn't want to look back in a few years and say, 'we wish we would have done that,'" said Amanda. "As being so resilient through Covid at that location (The EL) and pivoting the way we had to succeed, I think that also gave us the confidence to be able to do this now that we're coming out the other side."

The Da Silva’s have rented the adjacent property of the former Olde Stone Brewing Company. The space is closed off and is unknown what it will be used for.

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