Michael "Mac" and Josephine "JC" Casale of Gwynn’s Island and Cresco, Pa., have purchased the White Dog Inn in Mathews and plan to reopen it in April as the White Dog Bistro.

The Casales said they were heartbroken when they learned last August that the restaurant, which had become a favorite place for the couple to dine, would be closing. Having previously owned a restaurant for 10 years in Clark Summit, Pa., they said they hadn’t intended to open another eating establishment but "felt so strongly that the town needed to preserve a business like this" that they stepped in to buy it.

The restaurant will have a fine dining atmosphere inside and a casual atmosphere outside, on the deck. Prices for the European/American menu items will be affordable, said JC, and the menu will reflect a heavy seafood influence, along with the owners’ own organic vegetables and herbs when possible. The outdoor bar might be Cuban-influenced, with an extensive bourbon, rum and wine selection.

A special feature of the restaurant will be regular recipe contests, said Mac, with the winner’s recipe included on the menu for a season or so.

Entertainment will be offered on Friday and Saturday nights, said JC, offering such musical genres as soft rock, jazz and classic rock, with "no crazy rock bands."

"We want bands that are versatile and appeal to everyone," she said. "We want people to feel welcome—an ‘everyone knows your name’ kind of place."

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