After years of living as roommates, cohabiting but never conjoining, they鈥檙e finally getting together.

The Grotto, one of downtown Courtenay's favourite casual eateries, has shared space with the Union Street Grill on Fifth Street for seven years, yet has always maintained a discreet distance in terms of what really counts 鈥� the menu. That鈥檚 about to change.

After a transformative week behind closed doors April 1 to 7, the Grotto will reopen with a new look, a new menu and a brand new relationship with Union Street.

"We realized it was time to bring the Grotto and the Grill closer together," says chef Mark Duncan, who owns both restaurants with his wife Danielle.

"We'd been hearing from our customers that they want to be able to choose between the more classic, full-service restaurant experience of Union Street Grill and the more casual, lounge-type milieu of the Grotto without having to choose one menu or the other," Danielle said. "So we鈥檙e going to have one menu for both venues. It will have everything that's been on offer at the Grill, plus a few of the most popular items from the Grotto.鈥�

That means, for instance, that Union Street patrons will finally be able to order the breakfast burrito, a longtime Grotto favourite featuring scrambled eggs, chorizo sausage, bell peppers, onions, mozzarella and cajun spices all rolled in a tortilla with salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

The shared menu will also feature new items such as balsamic bbq pork ribs served over butternut yam mash with artisan greens.

Complementing the new menu at the Grotto will be a trendy new look that emphasizes comfort and style. Think sleek leather bucket chairs and comfortable leather benches 鈥� the kind you never want to get up from.

"People come to the Grotto for a more social experience,鈥� Danielle said. 鈥淭hey want to linger over a beer or a glass of wine, and just hang out. The new look is definitely going to mesh with that.鈥�

What won鈥檛 change at the Grotto is its tradition of special events such as live music, family nights and tapas nights. Nor will the 'grab and go' convenience of the service counter be lost amidst the sophisticated new look.

A grand re-opening party will be held May 12 at the Grotto, featuring give-aways, all-day specials on food and drinks, free beer and wine tastings until 5 p.m. and live music from 7-9 p.m. Jet FM will be on-site from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Just call it a restaurant engagement party.

The Union Street Grill and Grotto is located at 477 Fifth St. For more information call 250-897-0081 or visit www.unionstreetgrill.ca.