Beach Walk Café to reopen at Henderson Park

Not all restaurant closings are a bad thing, as Chef Tim Creehan discovered.

Creehan announced in mid December the closing of his Beach Walk Café for the winter off season due to economic reasons. He planned to reopen in March.

However, seasonal closing at his Crystal Beach location wasn't allowed and his lease was terminated.

On March 1, Creehan will reopen just down the beach a ways at Henderson Beach as the Beach Walk at Henderson Park Inn.

"They approached me and asked me to relocate Beach Walk there," said an excited Creehan, who had been at Crystal Beach for 11 years.

"I won't have quite as much space at Henderson Beach, but I will have more freedom," he said. "Henderson Beach wants weddings and outside dining."

Creehan signed the lease with Henderson Beach on Feb. 2.

"It's all set up and I could open tomorrow, but I am going to wait and have the official opening the first week in March," he said.

Creehan will continue to feature some of the menu favorites from Beach Walk, but concentrate on fresh local ingredients. He calls it "simple cuisine with classically prepared ingredients."

Beer and wine will be available to complement menu items.

Beach Walk 2.0 will feature a more intimate atmosphere with reservations required for the limited seating.

Toes in the Sand Dining will be offered, as well as unparalleled sunset views from its location directly on the beach.

One table per night will be offered to diners at water's edge for toes in the sand dining. The lucky couple will be the first to walk on the sand that night and leave footprints.

Creehan's plans also include hosting cooking classes and wine dinners at the new location, but will probably come later in the fall.

Already an award-winning restaurant, Creehan promises to take the level of cuisine up a level.

Creehan protégé and Executive Chef Jason Gouker will assist in taking the Beach Walk menu to the next level, with an emphasis on locally grown organic produce.

Creehan will not reopen his Copper Grill and Blues locations. His Events Center remains in operation.

"I'll be in the kitchen a lot at Henderson Beach," he Creehan. "Bringing the focus back to a single venue ensures we'll be able to one-up everything people love about Beach Walk."

Beach Walk at Henderson Park Inn will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, with plans to eventually add breakfast. Lunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and fine dining from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., nightly.