Indulge Kitchen + Bar brings joy back to couple's life after losing their jobs

Husband and wife duo Ryan and Ashley Fayant felt like the bottom had dropped out of their world when they lost their restaurant jobs just over two years ago.

"We felt like we lost a part of us. We cried a lot," said Ashley.

Little did they know it would be the catalyst to eventually open up their own restaurant, Indulge Kitchen + Bar, in Regina's Heritage neighbourhood, giving them a whole new purpose. 

"Now this is our actual baby — the investment of our own visions and our own money and our own time," she said. 

"We are definitely finding that it's rejuvenating the lost parts of us. We're back."

The couple first met in 2017 while working together at Brown's Social House. They worked separately after that, and then reunited at Meld Neighbourhood Eatery, helping to operate the restaurant, doing catering and events, among other things, before Meld closed its doors in early 2023.

"After they closed their doors, nothing seemed to make us happy or inspired anymore," said Ashley. "We were lost and feeling like there was never anything to make us feel that spark again."

After working for other people for a couple years, the pair decided to bet on themselves by opening their own restaurant on 15th Avenue, a location that was formerly home to restaurants The Hampton Hub, and before that, Hunter Gatherer.

"We did have a few people tell us the place was cursed. I don't believe that," Ashley said, adding that she knows from talking to the former co-owner of The Hampton Hub, that another opportunity had come up for him. 

"I think that everything happens for a reason for people."

It was a dizzying couple of months between signing the lease in March, redecorating the space, completely redesigning the kitchen and coming up with their initial menu. 

The couple opened Indulge this past May.

The couple say they've fallen in love with their Heritage neighbourhood restaurant location, with its mature trees and welcoming neighbours. Employees and visitors from the nearby General Hospital have also, to the Fayants' gratefulness, become big supporters and regulars at the restaurant. 

"The power went out last week," Ashley said. "Everybody just kind of collected here. And we sat on the patio and hung out. You meet one person and you have a five-minute conversation with them and then you see them again and it's like, you've been friends forever."

The Fayants have developed a symbiotic relationship with Malty National, the popular microbrewery across the street. They regularly refer customers to each other's businesses.

Meanwhile, Malty's staff have developed an affinity for Ryan's french fries, he said with a smile. 

The Indulge menu straddles comfort food and healthy options, familiar and satisfying, with dishes that feel home-cooked. They offer fresh lunch options like salads and rice bowls, and familiar items like a classic cheeseburger and a chicken club sandwich. They have unique appetizers like a fried pickle dip and a whipped feta with hot honey drizzle.

Ashley also whips up fresh baking, including the much-loved cinnamon bun muffins once served at Meld.

"I think we're the dynamic duo, honestly," Ryan said. 

"Our menu and concept come from years of working in the industry, where the only goal for most businesses is to make money," Ashley said.

"We wanted to step outside of that, show our passion in the cooking, the service and the overall quality and experience here at Indulge. Fresh ingredients, locally sourced products, a light yet filling menu, that not only is delicious, but is also visually appealing." 

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Now that they've found a renewed mojo as restaurant owners, they want to carry on the good feelings they had at Meld into their new home. 

"That was our heart and soul. And we grew a lot there," said Ashley, saying that just like at Meld, they want visitors to their restaurant to feel they're among friends and neighbours.

"Obviously, we want to feel what we felt there, but we also want to provide that feeling that we're feeling to the people that are coming here."