Posted: July 31, 2003 at 8:37 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  --  A new San Francisco restaurant, named for a legendary bird that rose from the ashes, is where some workers are getting a new lease on life.

They are mentally ill employees are using the work at Café Phoenix as therapy.

The pressure in a cafe kitchen during lunch hour seems hardly the place for someone struggling with stress issues, nor quite the environment for someone with a bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or deep depression.

B ut at the eatery on Indiana Street, work is therapy.

"We want people to be impressed with the food first, then later on find out, oh, this is a program that helps people with mental health disabilities," says Daniel Michael of Hire-Ability.

Hire-Ability is a private non-profit that helps folks use work to overcome mental illness and find jobs.

T hough stressful, the work helps client Allison Kolb find stability. Trainer Vivian Morales is close by to offer help.

Despite the rapid orders from chef instructor Onnyx Walker, Henry Hu says he's learning to like the work.

I n his 20 years in kitchens, says Onnyx, the Phoenix clients are as good as any worker he's known.

"And when I say it takes patience, I think we all know it takes patience for all of us to work with each other,” Onnyx says. “Because everybody has special needs."

Despite everything going on behind the counter, out front, customers hardly notice.

“You can tell the pace is a little bit slower than at other restaurants. But knowing what they're working on, I think it's fantastic, and I think thus far, I think they're doing it well," says customer Amber Nystrom.

I t's therapy with a paycheck. Cafe Phoenix is located in San Francisco, and it also has a catering service. You can reach the restaurant by calling (415) 282-WORK during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(Copyright 2003 KRON 4 News. All Rights Reserved.)