San Diego-based restaurant collective Blue Bridge Hospitality has unveiled surf & tiki themed The Islander in the central Coronado space that housed Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge for over a decade.
Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge opened on Orange Avenue in Coronado in 2011 as one of the first restaurants to launch David Spatafore's Blue Bridge Hospitality, a restaurant collective that now includes Mootime Cookies & Creamery, Little Frenchie, Stake Chophouse, Village Pizzeria and Liberty Public Market. After pivoting Leroy's to become a more fast-casual eatery's for a brief period, Blue Bridge management closed the restaurant last spring and decided to rebrand the space to become The Islander.
After more than a year of development, The Islander has unveiled in downtown Coronado. Inspired by 60s-70s surf culture, expect a family-friendly vibe during the day with a more lively crowd during evening hours. The bar is now three times the size and the addition of La Cantina bi-folding doors allow a flow between indoor and outdoor space. Design accents at the 120-seat restaurant include a bamboo-lined bar, a surfboard-adorned ceiling, a golden monkey, and plenty of televisions playing the latest sporting competitions.
The Islander's menu consists of a variety of beach food encompassing all flavors of the Pacific coast and features dishes inspired by SoCal, Mexico and Hawaii, but also influenced by Costa Rica, Fiji, and anywhere with a surf break. There are also several favorites from the old Leroy's menu still available, including the popular cheeseburger and the tuna poke tacos. Expect a "Dawn Patrol" daily breakfast menu from open to 2pm, including signature pancake stacks and unique breakfast bowls. From the bar, there will be local beers on tap, wine by the glass and a new tiki-inspired cocktail list that includes fun drinks like the gallon-sized Molokai Party Mule.
The Islander is now open at 1015 Orange Avenue in Coronado. For more information. visit theislandersd.com.
