When Mondo and I moved to the Island and into our newly purchased 1870 vernacular Greek Revival, we knew we'd be in for lots of work that would have to be fueled by love, passion, and sometimes sheer force of will. We quickly realized that we'd have to add more money to our list (almost always the case) and better food than could be microwaved. See, our house was a foreclosure. Great deal you may be thinking. Sure, it was. Of course the house was also listed as "renovated." Haha. Some of you already know what we knew when we first looked at this place. Sometimes the Island plays loose and fast with terms like "renovated" and "restored."
Long story short. We.had.no.kitchen.Now, don't think we don't know that tons of people before us braved far worse. One gentleman bought a building with no roof and camped inside while he restored the building around him. That is a testament to the love and ingenuity of Islanders.
Even though our roof was in good shape, the kitchen turned out to be a life lesson in knowing what you want. It took us a lot longer than it should have - 10 months - mainly because we had a hard time deciding what we wanted our kitchen to look like.
We had to eat though. And microwaving and frying on an electric skillet (thanks to my great in-laws) helped a lot. But, without our downtown's Bistro LeCroy, we may never have survived on microwave dinners and pudding pouches alone.
That first week in the house (which also had a busted furnace), it was a cold December evening, and we were already craving real food. So we drove downtown looking for hot food out of an oven. And there she was: Bistro LeCroy at 2021 Strand.
Great food, great ambiance, and great people. Tommy and Barbara, the two owners who also happen to be cousins, welcomed us. The staff was just as welcoming - Victor and Gina Galvez not only were great staff, but we now count them as friends too. We soon became regulars, and unfortunately for our waistlines, continued dining at the Bistro long after our cozy kitchen was up and running.When Ike hit, Tommy and the building owners, Dale and Diane Olson, stayed for the storm trying to salvage what they could. For a while, we were afraid that our kitchen away from home would not return. But they have. They now have been open for a week, and we've filled our bellies twice.
You have to check it out. Great food. Great people. And great new additions not only to the menu but to the restaurant. Dale and Diane are BOIs and Ball High School sweethearts (I must say that I also count them as IBCs - they chose to come back to the Island after years in California).
Before the Buccaneer Hotel was destroyed New Year's Day 1999, several folks, including the Olson's, salvaged tons from the old building including beautiful, hand painted wood trim.
The Olson's, Tommy, & Barbara have incorporated this historic woodwork inside the restaurant and also installed original doors from the old Ursuline Academy.
Go by and grab a bite to eat. If not running around, Tommy and Barbara will probably be at the family table (straight back from the front, on your right if you come in via the atrium). Say hello and have Tommy tell you some of the history of that great place from the Civil War, the 1900 Storm, and even stories of reported hauntings. Maybe you'll become a regular too.
