Rotating themes pop-up on Lunenburg restaurant menu

Story by Tina Hennigar 
Contributed photo
Zain Jaya and Sarah Crnec were living in BC when Sarah realized she could no longer ignore her growing desire to move home to Nova Scotia and Zain was happy to help make that happen.
They bought their plane tickets and sold all their belongings. Then COVID-19 hit and delayed their plan.
“But we didn’t want to wait. Sarah’s brother just had a baby and we wanted to start to put down roots,” said Zain. They packed their car and drove across the country getting to Nova Scotia just before the border closed.
Sarah didn’t think she had a job. She had had an interview from BC before they left, and only learned she had landed the job after they arrived in Nova Scotia. Zain, a chef for over 15 years, helped Sarah’s mother make and sell pies and preserves for her business, Sandra’s Choice at the Lunenburg Farmers Market. 
“While there I really listened to people. I wanted to know what they wanted to eat.” Zain told me that he also talked to local chefs and various types of people and learned that they wanted various types of food.
That’s when Zain’s idea of Rascals Run, a rotating themed restaurant was born. Their restaurant’s permanent home is at 139 Montague Street in Lunenburg, but the theme and type of menu they offer will change. “Right now, we are featuring five burritos. I want to keep the menu small, simple and creative and thoughtfully craft each burrito.” Zain explained that not having a restaurant tied to any one genre of food means that he can switch it up, perhaps offering noodles next.
COVID-19 forced Rascals Run to make ordering and pick-up super-efficient with online ordering. Simply go to rascalsrun.ca, pre-order your food, come in and pick up. No lines, no wait!
Zain believes that Lunenburg can be the ultimate food destination with so much choice provided by Lamprai and Spice Cafe and Lincoln Street Foods, to name a few.  “We have it all,” he said passionately. He hopes to continue to add even more variety here.
Zain and Sarah are currently living on his mother-in-law Sandra’s property in Rhodes Corner. But they’re looking for a house to call their own. Zain commented that housing is more affordable here than in BC but there isn’t a lot available. “We look every day,” he shared about their house hunt. 
I do miss friends, but I spent enough time there. It was time for a change,” Zain said of BC.  “Everyone in Nova Scotia has been very supportive, the business is doing well,” he said, crediting Sarah’s sister and brother-in-law, Zac and Debbie Scott Crnec for helping to get Rascals Run ready to serve customers.  
“We’re looking forward to what we can offer Lunenburg.”