Cafe L'Europe closes temporarily for repairs after Hurricane Idalia damage

Café L’Europe will be closed temporarily while the restaurant addresses damage sustained due to Hurricane Idalia. The restaurant plans to reopen in mid-September.

The restaurant was flooded with about a foot of water, delaying the third phase of the three-phase remodel, which was to include the building's facade. Café L’Europe was celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The restaurants' owners, Amanda and John Horne, decided to postpone the final phase of its renovation until next summer because of the damage. This caused a shift in focus from renovation to restoration, according to a media release. 

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“The flooding did give us an opportunity to look at some of the bones and infrastructure of that front room,” said Eleni Sokos, director of brand strategy for Oysters Rock Hospitality which represents the Café. “We got to see how much the level of construction is required there. I wouldn't say it was worth it. But, it helps us make a more informed decision.

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During the hiatus, Café L’Europe has a construction crew working on the restoration. Sokos said the crew removed the restaurant's new wooden flooring, which was installed during the second phase of the renovation and replaced it with tiles that will withstand any future hurricane damage.

“We'll be back to work next week and, when we reopen, we will have a new point of sale system,” said Sokos. “So that's another thing that this gave us the opportunity to do. We are looking at going to brunch seven days instead of just the weekends. And we have been working really hard on the bar menu: bar bites and cool new cocktails. And of course, our award winning wine list. There's some new additions coming out to that as well.”