Palm Beach Bar and Grill closing Feb. 16 for remodel, rebrand
About 15 months after opening, Palm Beach Bar and Grill will be closing Monday, Feb. 16, for an extensive remodel and rebranding.
The restaurant is expected to reopen the first week of March as Kaja Asian Fusion, said Christine Mitchell, restaurant general manager, Feb. 10.
Palm Beach Bar and Grill opened in October 2024, as a partnership between husband-and-wife owners Kathryn Robinson and James Petion, and Alex and Stacey Hannah. The Hannahs are no longer involved in the business, said Mitchell, who is also Robinson’s mom.
Bryan Emperor, a James Beard nominated chef, is joining the team, said Mitchell. He brings a lot to the table and has traveled the world, she said.
Robinson and Petion have been slowly building their local restaurant portfolio since opening First State Corn & More in the spring of 2021. The following year, the couple opened a walk-up spot with an expanded menu steps away from the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk.
“Stay tuned for updates as we transform and prepare to reopen,” said Mitchell in a Facebook post announcing the change. “Thank you for being part of this incredible journey.”
The space is located in Midway Center, near Midway Speedway, and has housed a handful of restaurants over the years. In advance of Palm Beach opening, more than a year was spent renovating the space from front to back.
Editor’s note: This story has been update to provide the correct biographical information on chef Bryan Emperor.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
