From washing dishes at Pizza Hut to owning a restaurant in The Elbow.
That describes Alva Richcreek’s 33-year career in the culinary arts.
He was the cook at the former Northstar the Pizza Bar at 119 E. Bay St. When he found out the business was for sale, he called on a couple of partners and bought it with a vision for some extensive changes.
“The only thing that will be the same is the furniture,” said Richcreek, who has renamed the establishment Bay Street Bar & Grill.
While the previous owner offered patrons of Downtown’s entertainment district a bar where they could get a slice of pizza, Richcreek is planning a more extensive menu that will include traditional pub fare plus some choices leaning more toward fine dining.
While getting his new venture ready to open by the end of August, he talked about serving chicken piccata and fresh seafood along with burgers, wings and cheese steak sandwiches. He’s also planning to serve some classic diner fare like meatloaf and macaroni and cheese.
“It will depend on what I find in the morning at the farmer’s market,” he said.
Vegetarians and those who need a gluten-free diet will find what they are looking for on the menu.
“Those aren’t niche markets anymore,” said Richcreek.
He’ll keep the gas-fired brick pizza oven in operation to maintain the existing customer base, but with a few changes.
“We’re going to take the pie up a notch,” he said.
Bay Street Bar & Grill will offer 20 beers on tap, including most of the local craft brews, along with a wine list and a full bar.
Richcreek has owned and operated small businesses in categories other than food service. He’s a body piercer and blacksmith and previously owned 5 Points Coffee & Spice in Riverside, he said.
His philosophy for the restaurant is to begin by serving what he knows customers already want and then expanding options based on their feedback.
“Some people go into this business thinking they’ll succeed by selling what they want people to buy,” Richcreek said. “We want to give people what they want.”
At first, he’ll be open for dinner and the late-night club crowd. Lunch service might be added later and Richcreek will book all or part of the restaurant for private parties.
Bay Street Bar & Grill will be the first of two new eateries in The Elbow.
Slated to open sometime in the fall is Spliff’s Gastropub at 15 N. Ocean St., between 1904 Music Hall and Downtown Cigar Bar.
According to theelbowjax.com, the establishment, described as “a food & drink joint,” is a new venture for music hall managing partner Duane De Castro.
Spliff’s will have 35 seats and an outdoor beer garden with a small stage in the alley behind the restaurant.
A chef is being brought from California to create a menu of “Southern comfort food,” such as baked chicken and macaroni and cheese with more than 20 flavors, as well as some West Coast cuisine like tri-tip roast beef.
The bar will feature local and craft beers, wines and sakes.
The popularity of The Elbow led to the decision to open a new restaurant.
“There is a growing belief in greater Jacksonville that Downtown is improving and becoming a destination for food, libations and entertainment,” De Castro said in the news release. “Specifically, we’ve heard more and more demands for food options.”
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