George and Wendy Schnapp, proprietors of George and Wendy’s Corner Grill, opened the doors of their new restaurant on Jan. 10.

If the adage “Good things come to those who wait” is indeed true, then George and Wendy Schnapp are in for a very pleasant experience.

Following more than nine months of major renovations, the affable island couple have finally opened their doors of their new restaurant at the corner of Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Road called — what else? — George and Wendy’s Corner Grill.

“Some of the construction issues we encountered were really difficult,” said George. “But we were committed to doing everything right. We weren’t going to take any shortcuts.”

The colorful, freshly painted bistro, open seven days per week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., offers diners breakfast, lunch and dinner in casual, family-friendly setting.

“Everything is going really good,” added Wendy, who praised head chef Kevin Decker for creating a menu that promotes local seafood and produce, purchased fresh daily. “I already knew he was a terrific chef, but wow! I’m in awe.”

Head chef Kevin Decker, left, instructs assistant cook Chris Tipton on prepping vegetables in the kitchen prior to last Wednesday's dinner service.

Decker attended Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Orlando, where he received an AAS degree in Culinary Arts. In his career as a chef, he has had the opportunity to travel and experience the cuisine in different regions of the country.

“I think that we’ve created a menu that is fresh, local and fun,” said Decker, who collaborated with the Schnapp’s on assembling a lineup of appetizers, entrees and desserts that appeal to every palate. “The challenging thing right now is we don’t know if we’re gonna have 700 to 800 people coming into the restaurant or 300 to 400. But everything we do is fresh, not frozen.”

The menu includes and interesting array of starters including Pina Colada shrimp, stolen gumbo, Mitchell’s chicken tenders and a variety of flatbreads, sliders and soups. Lunch selections include marinated fish tacos, Aloha chicken sandwich, fried green tomatoes and Marcy’s peanut butter and bacon sandwich while dinner selections include drunken grouper, sweet bourbon marinated salmon, asian pork chop, hand-cut prime rib and an assortment of surf, turf and pasta dishes.

While Wendy pointed to the Togarshi tuna and roasted garlic and brie as two of her many favorites, Gerorge’s top picks are the Beef on Weck, a roast beef sandwich made popular in his hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., and the prime rib.

“Everything here is fresh, fun and family-friendly,” added George. “Nobody on the island is doing the same thing as us.”

The marquee above the main entrance to George and Wendy’s Corner Grill, located on the corner of Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Road.

Since opening for business, Decker and the owners have heard a lot of positive feedback from their customers. Wendy told a story about a man who came in to eat three nights in a row, ordering the coconut shrimp appetizer on each occasion.

“I spoke with somebody he was with, and they said that he owned 18 restaurants up north,” she added.

“Somebody told me that we have the best bouillabaisse she’d ever had… and she had been to France!” George remarked with a smile.

Learn more about George & Wendy’s Corner Grill at www.georgeandwendyscornergrill.com or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CornerGrill. Call 395-1263 for additional information or daily specials.