Lean times end for West End diners

By Laura Elder

Published July 27, 2010

West End story: After a long fast, dining options are improving on the island’s West End. Well-known restaurateur Randall Pettit is putting his expertise behind West End Restaurant and Sand Bar, 21706 Burnet Drive, in the space formerly occupied by Avery’s Bayside Cafe. (Avery’s owners opened Mackey’s Bar & Grill, 20801 Interstate 45, in Bayway II shopping center in Webster).

West End Restaurant and Sand Bar will offer up seafood dishes with some twists, promises Pettit, who is known for former island eateries, including Randall’s West End in Pirates’ Beach and for his early involvement in the once popular but now closed Waterman Seafood Grill, 14302 Stewart Road. Pettit also is an owner of elegant nightspot 21, 2102 Postoffice St. in the island’s downtown. Pettit’s latest project is at the 50-slip West End Marina, formerly known as Sea Isle Marina. John Turner bought the marina out of foreclosure earlier this year with plans to revive and renovate.

Pettit is aiming to officially open West End Restaurant and Sand Bar some time next week but didn’t have an exact date. The restaurant space has undergone a huge transformation, Pettit said. 

“It’s a beautiful restaurant,” he said. 

Stay tuned.

Gavel gossip: In these trying times, island developers continue to turn to auctions to reduce inventory and buoy property values at their projects. The latest to gravitate to the gavel is Randall Davis, developer of Diamond Beach, the 117-unit mid-rise resort and spa on 8.5 acres at the seawall’s western edge. The pale pink project came online last summer. Davis hopes to sell 40-beach-front units at an Aug. 22 auction. Starting bids are $140,000. 

Last month, more than 600 people attended an auction of 27 units at East Beach development Palisade Palms. Buyers snapped up all the units, auctioneers reported.

Then, West End development Beachside Village, earlier this month held an auction for 29 home sites and commercial properties. No official word on whether that auction was a success. 

For information about the Diamond Beach auction, call 800-522-6664 or visit http://diamondbeachcondosauction.com. 

Mystery closure: Some mainlanders are mourning the closure of Village Pizza & Seafood, 6402 I-45, in La Marque. Corporate officials of the regional chain could not be reached for comment. Village Pizza & Seafood in Santa Fe and Texas City still are open. Stay tuned.

Welcome Matt: Readers are raving about one of League City’s newest eateries — Matt’s Restaurant & Lounge, 3202 Marina Bay Drive. 

Sunday brunch features such fare as eggs Benedict and Belgium Waffles. Also popular is the seafood buffet served from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday nights. Lunch specials are all about comfort food, and depending on the day of the week, include Matt’s Famous Meatloaf, red beans and rice and turkey and dressing, reports bar manager Michael Loneman. 

Matt Smith, who was general manager of Lakewood Yacht Club for 25 years, is behind the new restaurant. 

For information, call 281-334-7445. 

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