Sails Restaurant to get new makeover

By Staff Writer 25 May 2017, 12:00AM

A 21st birthday is an occasion to behold. And if you are an institution in Samoa like Sails Restaurant and Bar has been over the years, their upcoming 21st anniversary is something its patrons and customers can look forward to.

As part of its preparations, the Restaurant is undergoing a major facelift. 

After its popular Polynesian Show on Friday night, 26 May 2017, the restaurant will be closed for three days to allow the team to transform the place.

Owners Seiuli Ian and Lyvia Hansell-Black are excited about the change.

They say when the Restaurant reopens; customers and diners can expect another level of service, cuisine at one of the most beautiful spots in Samoa to enjoy the ocean views. 

The changes include new chefs, new lunch and dinner menus, new cocktail menus and wine list. 

But it doesn’t stop there.

The place will have new furniture, new colours, new decorative features, lightings and more. There will also be new themed nights and more.

Seiuli and Lyvia said the changes are all about improving the experience for patrons and their customers.

 They say that the planning has taken a while but they are looking forward to the changes.

This year, the Restaurant is marking its 21st birthday, 11 years at Tauese and 10 years in Mulinu’u. Sails opened on 10th July 1996. At the time, it was said to be the first "real restaurant" of the day in Samoa, apart from the hotels. 

It was located in a 140-year-old, two-storey building then, which was Robert Louis Stevenson's first home in Samoa. It was also the original offices of Polynesian Airlines. 

But Seiuli and Lyvia are quick to credit the Le Godinet's, Apia Inn, and the Waterfront Restaurants “as our predecessors in setting the scene in the Restaurant industry of the late 80's, and 90's.” 

Seiuli's background is as a Hotelier, who had worked in Fiji, Tahiti, Australia,  Samoa. He was educated via Hutchins School, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. 

In July 1987, Ian Black, then General Manager of Tusitala Hotel was honoured with the Seiuli title, bestowed upon him by the late Head of State of Samoa, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, for his loyal services to His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II.

Lyvia’s background is as an Architectural Draughtsman via a government of Samoa/ NZ Government scholarship at Christchurch Polytechnic. 

She was educated at Vaimoso Primary School, Leifiifi, Samoa College, Long Bay College, Selwyn College in Auckland, NZ.

She underwent work experience via Universal Homes N.Z., Canterbury Education Board, Department of Public Works, Samoa. She also worked with local Architectural and Engineering firm George Meredith & Associates in the late 1980's. 

Sails Restaurant at Tauese was the Pioneer of the Tauese Way Development group, formed by Tauese businesses to develop the Tauese area into a vibrant, safe and successful Entertainment Hub. It was co-founded with the Otto's Reef Cocktail Bar.

By Staff Writer 25 May 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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