Downtown Restaurant Adds A Side of Drag Queens to Sunday Brunch

Peterborough’s newest restaurant, “The EL[P]” added some glitz and glamour to their weekend service as they hosted two sold-out drag brunch events on Sunday.

The EL [P] had its grand opening on March 2. The da Silvas also rented the former Olde Stone property but unknown to what it will be. Photo by Luke Best.

The event, “Hot As EL,” had an all-ages 11 a.m. show followed by an adults-only version at 1 p.m. Both were hosted by Just Janis and featured three additional drag queens, Banshee Waylon, Sahira Q and Betty Baker.

“We had worked with Betty Baker over in Cobourg and we had three drag brunches there already and it’s always been phenomenal,” said Greg da Silva, The EL [P] co-owner. ”It’s just great energy and we really appreciate it. When Janice reached out to us and asked us if we want to do it, we’re ‘like yeah, of course, we’re down.’”

The drag queens paraded around the venue during the sold-out shows, lip-syncing and dancing to songs. Guests enjoyed their meal and offered up cash tips to the performers. The closing performance was a group number to the song “Time Warp” that had the audience dancing beside the drag queens. 

“I have to say they’re kind of the leaders of doing safe shows throughout the pandemic and it’s just so much fun,” says Shawna Blackwood, who brought her mother with her to see the show. ”You come here and there’s just pure joy.”

Drag performances were on-and-off during the pandemic as Peterborough’s queens often cancelled their shows. Performers found it challenging to lip-sync with a mask and preferred not to cover their makeup after spending hours on it.

The EL [P] is located downtown on 378 George St. N., Hot Belly Mama’s former location. Owned by wife and husband Amanda and Greg da Silva, The EL [P] is a sister restaurant of their other location in Cobourg, called “The El.”

“We’re new to Peterborough and the community has seemed to embrace us,” said Greg. We’ve been open for just over 10 days and it’s going great!”

Peterborough has had successful drag shows with a sold-out show at the Gordon Best Theatre last weekend with Icesis Couture — Canada’s Drag Race’s second-season winner — in attendance. PTBO Live Summer Concert Series hosted its first drag show at the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot on July 24 last year. 

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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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