It’s been a long ride, but Hole in the Wall, a waterfront restaurant overlooking Milford Haven at the Gwynn’s Island bridge, is just about ready to open.

Staff training begins on June 11, and the only two things keeping the door closed are delivery of an outdoor elevator for handicapped access to the now-higher structure and installation of braided stainless steel railings on the new dining deck. Mac Casale, who owns the business along with his partner, Dean Tsamouras, said he expects those things to be completed within a week or two.

With a rustic décor that features recycled boards from various old buildings as the wall covering, accented by sea-oriented artwork, the reinvented dining room feels fresh but familiar. The ceiling is higher than it was when locals frequented the former Seabreeze Restaurant, so the original windows on two sides are higher, but that wasn’t a problem, said Casale. He simply used the taller tables that appeal to today’s young...