Brothers Jared Van Dyke and Josh Van Dyke are embarking on the process of bringing a new restaurant to Vilano Beach. Inspired by New England beachside restaurants like Massachusetts’ Sunset Club, the new restaurant promises to bring a family-friendly casual dining experience with fresh, healthy food and live music to the table.
The Van Dykes are no strangers to the area, or to the restaurant business. Jared Van Dyke is a St. Augustine-based real estate investor, while Josh Van Dyke is the owner of Nu Kitchen, a healthy restaurant with three locations in Massachusetts.
What Now spoke to the Van Dykes on Monday about restaurants like the Sunset Club, which coverage by the St. John Citizen named as an inspiration for the as-yet-unnamed restaurant.
“Sunset Club is one inspiration, and there was another place in Nantucket—and actually another in Costa Rica, where we arrived and we thought, Are we in heaven right now?” Josh Van Dyke said. “It’s been kind of a dream of ours to open a place like that.”
Expect a family-friendly atmosphere, cocktails, and live music, but not your business-as-usual fare, say the Van Dykes.
“We spoke to our neighbors on the beach, asking what they wanted,” Van Dyke said. “The neighbors were saying they don’t want more bar food; you can get that anywhere. We want to keep it fresh and healthy. Things that stick out are fish tacos, poke bowls, things a little on the lighter side.”
The restaurant would occupy 2,500 square feet of indoor space that the Van Dykes describe as “open and airy,” with plenty of outdoor seating. Jared Van Dyke told What Now that, if all goes well, an opening could be expected in between one and two years’ time.
Stay tuned for more details on the planned Vilano Beach restaurant. You can also check out Nu Kitchen on Instagram: @nu_kitchen.
