|
The Beech Street Grill's History
Sea and salt marsh. Sails and shells and
surf. Shrimp and fish and wine. Oak canopies laced with Spanish moss. Lazy Palms. Chippendale verandahs and Italian marble. Heart pine and candle light. Lyrical
nocturnes and award-winning hustle and bustle. Time has imbued all into The Beech Street Grill.
More than 150 years ago, identical twin brothers were born in Cape Fear, North
Carolina. They would become seafarers and harbor pilots and rise to serve the Confederate Navy during the War Between the States, receiving commendations for bravery.
William and James Bell made their way to the new state of Florida, to "Old Town" and the bluffs of Egan's Creek on Amelia Island. They piloted their skiffs from the creek
for the quickest access to Cumberland Sound and the Atlantic beyond. Skillful and daring seamanship brought rewards: the first pilot to reach a ship would earn the
bounty of bringing it into the channel and to the dockside.
During slack seasons and inclement weather, the Bells turned their hands to building
a church and homes for themselves and other harbor pilots. After their first simple cottages in "Old Town," the brothers' endeavors became more elaborate and ornate
in the new City of Fernandina - a bustling shipping industry.
The Grande Dame of Beech Street is, of course, a Bell Brother's home. Built in 1889
as a wedding gift for the bride of William, the Eastlake landmark is noteworthy for its bay windows and two story verandahs ornamented with Chippendale style
balustrades. The home is constructed of heart pine and has a coined-seam metal roof. The marble mantels and fireplace facades were imported from Italy, and
finishing touches came from as far away as England and Belgium.
During the Depression, additions were made to the rear and side of the building, when
the home was converted into apartments. In the fall of 1990, these areas were to become the original Beech Street Grill, partners Rick Erickson and Liz Smiddy's ideal
neighborhood bistro. The Bostonian pair envisioned an intimate space with lively ambiance. And the cuisine -- creative, contemporary and superb.
Business was transcendent and the summer of 1992 brought expansion. The home was painstakingly renovated from the "C" House Gift and Shell Shop to the busy,
boisterous eatery it is now. Three dining areas provide a variety of ambiance. At the top of the original staircase is a baby grand piano, virtuoso John Springer, and a
versatile setting perfect for romantic couples or large gatherings.
Emphasis from the inception has always been on quality and detail. The freshest of
ingredients, the finest wines, exemplary service. Rick ensures the best the globe has to offer in cuisine components - from Midwestern grove-fed lamb and Newfoundland
mussels to the freshest regional produce and sea foods -- and he fastidiously guides the impressively talented culinary staff.
Liz has built a wine lovers haven. Enthusiasts will revel in the service and selection of The Beech Street Grill's cellars, which have garnered several awards, including
Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence. Guests may enjoy ever-evolving house wines, or may choose from exceptional offerings usually available only in wine designation capitols such as New York, Boston or Chicago.
The staff at The Beech Street Grill is challenged to be worldly in cuisine geography and attentive to detail. They are proud to serve plates laden with the best of
contemporary comfort foods in a restaurant consistently awarded and recognized as among the best in the region. We invite you to relax, get comfortable look around if you like. And please -- enjoy!
|
