Surf’s up at a new beach-themed breakfast and lunch cafe from the husband-and-wife restaurateurs behind popular Purple Olive, which relocated to the former longtime Gypsy Cab Co. location.
Beach Bagels, the newest concept from culinary couple chef Peter and Kristen Kenney, debuted recently at 4255 A1A South, Unit 6, in Seaside Plaza at Anastasia Island, after renovating the former home of their upscale Purple Olive.
The cafe offers “a fresh take on breakfast bagels and a sand-and-surf-inspired twist on lunch sandwiches, salads and bowls,” the couple said in a news release announcing the opening.
“We’re so excited to expand our restaurant offerings with this new concept,” Kristen Kenney said in a news release. “It’s a great opportunity for us to continue serving the coastal community we love with honest, simple, made-from-scratch food that nourishes the body and the soul.”
Featuring a surfside-style menu as well as decor and laid-back vibe, Beach Bagels complements the island, she noted in the news release.
“And who doesn’t love coming off the beach or ending a surfing session with something great to eat?” she said.
Bagels top the menu, but there’s more
Beach Bagels offers a variety of scratch-made bagels delivered fresh each morning by Village Bread.
The flavors include plain, whole wheat, everything, sesame, garlic and blueberry. There’s also a selection of house-made cream cheeses such strawberry, veggie, jalapeno and Datil honey, according to the menu.
“I’m looking forward to starting my day with the smell of fresh bagels again,” Kristen Kenney said in the news release. “There’s nothing better in the morning than a delicious bagel with house-made cream cheese, and we plan to tempt the community’s taste buds with always fresh classic flavors, plus a few regional surprises.”
Breakfast sandwiches feature made-to-order eggs, and turkey is roasted in-house. Lunch sandwiches are offered on a choice of bagel or bread — sourdough, multi-grain, marble rye or a wrap.
Among the specialty sandwiches planned are Short Rib French Dip, which is slow-roasted short rib with onion jam and horseradish cream on a grilled, buttered hoagie roll, then served with hot au jus for dipping.
Beach Bagels will also have vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free selections. Other fare will include the Endless Summer Salad and the Grains of Sand Bowl.
Customers will have the opportunity to build their own bowl or salad — choosing from fresh proteins and a variety of vegetables, cheeses, and homemade dressings “straight from Purple Olive’s recipe box.”
Couple’s culinary credentials
The Kenneys are 20-plus-year veterans of St. Augustine’s diverse restaurant scene.
Peter Kenney had been chef de cuisine at Gypsy Cab from 1999 to 2004 before striking out on his own to open Purple Olive 22 years ago.
In addition to Gypsy Cab Co., he previously worked at Manatee Cafe as well as the former La Parisienne — both in St. Augustine.
Kristen Kenney, also Purple Olive’s catering sales manager, has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She previously owned and operated Schmagel’s Bagels in downtown St. Augustine.
Purple Olive had opened in 2004 at 4255 S. Florida A1A on St. Augustine Beach, roughly 2½ miles north of Gypsy Cab Co.
Gypsy Cab Co. shut its door permanently on June 5. The closure came 42 years after noted restaurateur Ned Pollack debuted the bohemian-style restaurant on the barrier island about a mile south of the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine.
Purple Olive, after a temporary week-long hiatus to move, reopened on Oct. 24 at 828 Anastasia Blvd. on Anastasia Island, after the Kenneys “refreshed and refurbished” the former landmark Gypsy Cab Co. restaurant building.
Beach Bagels, licensed for up to 149 seats, is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
If you’re a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest dining coverage.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Surfside-style breakfast, lunch cafe opens on Anastasia Island
Reporting by Teresa Stepzinski, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
