Under the ownership of Forest Gary of Gloucester Point, Coastal Kitchen is opening in the York River Crossing Shopping Center.

Gary has spent the last few months managing Coastal Country Kitchen at Point Shopping Center and which will now be closing its doors for good this Saturday. The former owner Doug Bristow is leaving the business in Gary’s hands.

Gary is taking the restaurant and its loyal patrons to its new location. Coastal Kitchen will hold its grand opening on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 7 a.m.
Besides the name, a major change for Coastal Kitchen is that it will now serve breakfast, lunch and dinner from open to close. Gary said not everyone in the county goes to bed or starts their day at the same time, and for those who work later and wake up later, there hasn’t been a place in Gloucester to get breakfast throughout the day.

“Come hungry and leave full,” said Gary, who wants his guests feel welcomed and well fed.

Coastal Kitchen will serve a variety of meals for breakfast lunch and dinner. The breakfast menu offers biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, French toast and omelets. For lunch and dinner, some of what guests can order include lump crabcakes, fresh-cut burgers, soups and homemade desserts.

Gary said the move to the new location was greatly supported by the friends he’s made while running the old location. He said his guests are family, and he gives them 110 percent to provide excellent food and service. In turn, his loyal patrons have been a massive help in the move.

Some have volunteered their time to help get the new location ready for opening day, including moving kitchen equipment, said Gary. He said a few of his friends will be volunteering their time for the restaurant’s grand opening to help keep up with the expected turnout. He said he’s received calls from neighboring businesses and locals expressing their eagerness for Coastal Kitchen’s opening.

Regulars of the old location are used to seeing Gary run his restaurant as a one-man show, but will now have to get used to the new full-time wait staff and part-time cook. Coastal Kitchen will feature inside and outside seating, with outside seating being dog friendly.

Coastal Kitchen is Gary’s baby, and he’s putting in the work to make it special. The restaurant will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week starting on Oct. 23. He said the closing time each time may fluctuate based on guests still enjoying their meals.

For the grand opening, Coastal Kitchen will be offering free pancakes with any menu order.